Some Historic Beverly Hills Properties 'Fall Through the Cracks'

The demolition of historic properties in Beverly Hills, such as 805 North Linden Drive's slated demise and the razing of lyricist Ira Gershwin's home at 1021 North Roxbury Drive, reflects that tastes of changed from the older styles, reports the Los Angeles Times and CurbedLA.

Curbed reported last week a tipster said there's a 30-day demolition notice posted at the Linden Drive home designed by architect Wallace Neff, and notably, the home where aviator Howard Hughes crashed his plane into in 1946.

The city showcases many homes with more than five bedrooms, several bathrooms and thousands of square feet. However, preserving the heritage of the rich and famous of the past can not contend with the tastes of the next generations moving in, and when the designs from the architects of that time begins to fade.

In 2012, the City Council approved an ordinance mandating a 30-day review period to replace the 10-day limit for public notice and comment on proposed demolition projects that pertain to structures at least 45 years old and designed by master architects. The Cultural Heritage Commission was also created from the effort, and an urban designer staff position to assist in safeguarding the city's historic sites.

City Planner Jonathan Lait tells the Times that Gershwin's occupancy on Roxbury Drive would not have secured landmark designation, but admitted that Beverly Hills' permit search "needs to extend beyond the original building permit."

At this juncture, what are your thoughts on the city's effort to preserve its history?

Are homes, or "old stock," older than 45 years and occupied by notable residents and/or designed by prominent architects, worth preserving in a city with the second-highest median price for existing single family homes?