The bungalow court at 125 Pacific Avenue was unanimously approved by the Landmarks Commission for landmark designation on June 14th, after several months of review. The property owner had applied for a demolition permit in order to construct a new condominium project, but past and current residents along with neighbors asked the commission to landmark the property.

The findings required for this action were in part based upon the information in the updated Ocean Park survey, re-ported at the same meeting. This report recommended consideration of an Ocean Park Bungalow Court Historic District to which 125 Pacific would contribute. The Landmarks Commission found that this property met three of the six criteria for individual landmark status. It was distinguished from the other bungalow courts by its proximity to the ocean and the beach entertainment zone that provided the historical context for Ocean Park, by the large number of units provided for in the structure: 24, by the fact that the units are contained in a single building rather than separate units and by the fact that the courtyard was a fully landscaped green space instead of the concrete or driveway character of many of the other courtyard bungalows.

Constructed in 1924 in the Mission Revival style, the building had suffered some negative architectural alterations over the years, such as replacement of the original windows with aluminum sliders; the use of bars over windows; the removal of original decorative ornaments and re-cladding; and the gate in front of the courtyard. Nevertheless, tenants residing in the building did extensive historical and architectural research to demonstrate the historical value of the property. The designation was based upon the importance of the property type the bungalow court to the character of Ocean Park, rather than on the architectural style.

The residents did a remarkable job in their research and advocacy, basing their arguments on factual information rather than emotional arguments. They also demonstrated the community-building quality of bungalow court living. Letters and testimony from former residents and from other Ocean Park residents supported their position that this bungalow court had a very special and unique sense of place.