The oldest remaining commercial building in Boyle Heights is set prominently at the intersection of First and Boyle, outlined against a backdrop of downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers
Chattel received a National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its work on rehabilitation of the Boyle Hotel in Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The project is one of 18 award winners honored by the National Trust on November 1, 2013 during its annual National Preservation Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through the preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage.
Jorge Hernandez, National Trust for Historic Preservation Vice Chair Board of Trustees, Maria Cabildo, ELACC President, Linda Dishman, LA Conservancy Executive Director, and Stephanie Meeks, National Trust for Historic Preservation President and Chief Executive Officer at the awards ceremony.
The 1889 Victorian-era Boyle Hotel/Cummings Block was home to mariachis and an important gathering place in Boyle Heights for these musicians, as well as for other social and civic events. Unfortunately, the hotel had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect and was at risk of being demolished. ELACC purchased the building and secured financing for the over $20 million rehabilitation and addition. As historic preservation consultant on the project, Chattel worked with nonprofit developer East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC), architect Richard Barron, and structural engineer Mike Krakower to restore the building’s distinctive corner cupola, rehabilitate 30 affordable units in the historic building and add 21 units in a new addition, with 4,150 square feet of retail space that includes a Mariachi Cultural Center.
The National Preservation Honor Award is the latest recognition for the Boyle Hotel. The project also received a Los Angeles Conservancy award in May 2013.