First some background and a little history. 10801 National Blvd, sits facing the 10 fwy just off of the Overland/National Exit. I'm not certain when it was built, but I know it was designed by famous architect Edward D. Stone and originally built by Kaufman & Broad -- builders that used to occupy part of the 6th floor. As far as I know, the building is owned by National Investment Company (unverified). This building has some very unusual features that I feel are unique and worth mentioning. Instead of a building with the outside frame flush with the windows, there are vertical columns in between the windows and the windows span the length of the vertical clearance of the rooms and are approximately 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. These extra large windows are truly remarkable and the views looking over the freeway are gorgeous facing Westwood Village, Century City, the Santa Monica Mountains and more depending where your suite is located. I've been in this building over 15 years and have enjoyed the view until now.
Without any warning or permission, the owners completely covered up this huge 6 story building and all the windows facing the Santa Monica Fwy with an orange juice ad. I have no idea how large this is, but it's one of the largest super billboards I've ever seen.
Over the last few weeks, I saw the long platforms behind our building and I was anticipating having our windows washed -- They have been very dirty for some time now. To my amazement, I walked into my suite today (Wed. Jan. 14th) to find all my windows covered. In one room, half of the signage is orange and also a big seam going down vertically. Now the windows are not only dirty, but covered up. I conduct my business with the blinds up and everyone that visits gets to enjoy the view. Now there's no way I can now open the blinds because of how ugly it is inside.
The bottom line for this insult is greed. There's no regard for anyone or anything except for the linings of their own pockets.
View this article --
Supergraphic Signs: Are They Fire Safety Hazards? Councilman Says “Yes”
Here are some action steps I'm taking and I suggest you do the same:
- If you have not done so yet, send a complaint letter to Lois the building manager. Her email is lois4she@redwire.net
- Contact the fire department and file a complaint
- Contact Banbillboardblight.org for more info
- Contact city councilman:
District 1 - Ed Reyes 
City Hall Office (213)-473-7001 200 N. Spring Street, Rm 410
- Contact city councilwoman:
District 2 - Wendy Greuel 
- Let's find out if there's an attorney that would represent us
- Review Sign Ordinance of Los Angeles for our benefit
My first thought would be to hold the rent. If we all collectively held the rent, we would attract some nice attention. I would like some feedback here. I will keep the communication lines open so all of us can have a voice.
There's power in numbers and I say we fight back!
You can state your name or leave us your suite number. Thank you.
Posts
The Building is actually in Councilman Jack Weiss' district. His local office number is 310.289.0353 and the field deputy's name is Jay Greenstein. They have already notified the Fire dpet as well as the dept of Building and Safety.
ReplyDeleteWe all agree action must be taken. I think that in addition to putting pressure on the owners, we should also put pressure on Tropicana. This might be even more effective than pressing the owners - If we can make enough public noise, Tropicana will want the ad pulled.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support. If we work together we are exercising our rights in the best way possible.
ReplyDeleteThe landlord's action is outrageous. It probably is a breach of the "quiet enjoyment" covenant of the lease. One strategy is pay the monthly rent under protest [that will deprive the landlord of the short-fuse eviction remedy] and a lawsuit against the landlord to recover all of the rent paid while the sign remains, plus injunctive relief to force the landlord to take down the sign, plus an award of attorneys fees [which are provided for in the lease agreement]. The important thing is to get the lawsuit on file sooner, rather than later, so that the presence of the sign does not become the "status quo"
ReplyDelete