The old debate -- new vs. old, dynamic vs. stagnant, growth vs. preservation, etc., etc. Such is always a tricky and dicey situation for any town or city. And, of course, everything is indeed subjective and relative. In other words, what exactly makes a structure "old," "historic," and/or "culturally significant"?
In Riverside's case, one thing is fairly certain -- the city has always done an above-average job at protecting -- and preserving -- local historic and/or cultural landmarks. Such preservation is what has helped distinguish the city from other Southern California cities, many of which simply do not have the rich, historical character as does Riverside. The Mission Inn is a prime example.
2004Mission Inn
2004Authors' Row
Mission Inn
2004International Rotunda
Mission Inn
2004Amistad Dome
Mission Inn
2004Orange Street at University Avenue
Almost lost to the wrecking-ball in the mid-1970s, the Mission Inn today is one of the crown jewels of Southern California. After nearly a half century of modest deterioration, the historic hotel had indeed seen better days. What once was an immaculate and extraordinary hotel that attracted many of Hollywood's top stars, had become relegated to providing assorted -- albeit unique -- apartments, some of which housed students from nearby UC Riverside.
By the time the City of Riverside stepped in to buy the once grand hotel in 1976, the structure had spent the previous 20 years in neglect, primarily at the hands of Ben Swig (of San Francisco's famed 'Fairmont Hotel'). Swig purchased the hotel in 1956 following the deaths of Allis and DeWitt Hutchings, daughter and son-in-law of Inn-builder Frank Miller, who themselves had taken over upon the death of Miller in 1935.
Unfortunately, the Swig era -- and subsequent "era of many owners" during the early 1970s (which included ownership by Urban Housing Company of Los Angeles) -- failed to do little more than hasten the Inn's deterioration. It finally became evident that if the landmark was to once again prosper, the City of Riverside would have to step in, which it did when it purchased the flagging hotel for $2.4M in 1976 from Connecticut General Life Insurance.
From 1976 until 1985, the City of Riverside -- with the help of generous and highly devoted volunteers -- infused just enough capital and sweat equity to keep the structure from falling into total disrepair. But, the City desperately needed help.
In steps New York's Carley Capital Group, which saw a grand opportunity for a once grand hotel. However, after purchasing the Inn in 1985 from the City for $3M and investing over $30M into the aging structure (earthquake retrofitting, et al), Carley Capital went belly-up upon the Inn's rechristening as The Omni Mission Inn in December 1988. The property eventually transferred to principal creditor, Chemical Bank of New York, and The Omni Mission Inn was but a brief memory.
After the infusion of a bit more capital by Chemical Bank and nearly four years waiting for a savior, the Inn was purchased by local Riverside businessman Duane Roberts in December 1992. The price was estimated at $15M -- quite a bargain considering the amount of capital infused for complete renovation.
Thus, on Dec. 30th, 1992 the "new" Mission Inn re-opened to rave reviews and brought this once proud city back into the forefront of historic downtowns within Southern California.
Today, just one-block over from the Mission Inn, stands another significant "old" building, which itself is being threatened by the wrecking-ball. Let it be said, this one is indeed no Mission Inn. However, it still has significant historical importance for the city and the region.
The 1886 building once housed a restaurant run by Riverside's Harada family, prominent Japanese-Americans who were among the first to successfully challenge California's Alien Land Law in 1918 (a Law overturned in 1950). The event was significant enough that the family's house that was at the center of the case is the only other National Historic Landmark designated in Riverside besides the Mission Inn itself. Although not directly tied to the case, losing the location of the family's restaurant would still be a significant historic and cultural loss.
But there are other reasons the city should tread gently in these parts. The eastern corner of the property in question is part of one of the last areas in the downtown area wherein 4 buildings (including the historic 1908 Bonnett, 1928 Arcade and El Cabrillo buildings) front all four corners of the intersection (Orange at University) -- a unique trait not found much these days within Inland Southern California. Without a doubt, the corner in question for tear-down is the least attractive of the 4 buildings, but indeed, this intersection has both character and potential (a mini Gaslamp Corner?) -- something that is certain to be lost with its replacement via a shiny new office tower.
Hmm...the office tower. Ok, we admit it -- we love shiny new office towers about as much as we do old, historic structures. That's what makes this case a tough one. In essence, we consider ourselves to be progress-minded and forward-looking. However, growing up in a city that has significant historic treasures (surrounded by a region of essentially characterless suburban homogenization), we also know -- and highly regard -- the value of historic treasures. So, we're adamant in promoting both progress and preservation (they're not always mutually exclusive).
Like most cities around the country, Riverside suffered a severe office building bust during the 1990s. Unfortunately, 4 years into the new millennium and the city is still dormant in this regards. In fact, the last significant office "tower" -- which, in Riverside is a relative term -- was built well over 10 years ago. So, almost any new office tower proposed these days is practically enticing -- but at the cost of a historic treasure that will be lost forever?
In this case, we're afraid our answer would be "No." It's simply not worth it.
Thus, the compromise: build a smaller footprint twice as high.
Such a compromise, a common practice seen in many cities across the U.S., could potentially save the historic buildings on the southern and eastern portion of the project area while still giving the office tower direct access to the Main Street pedestrian mall on the western portion (which is currently a small parking lot). And, although indeed a more expensive way of building, such could very well give downtown Riverside a unique -- maybe even signature -- office tower via the restrictions found in the tighter lot.
So, it is our hope that both the city and Best Best & Krieger -- the proposed building's primary tenant and the Inland area's largest law firm and long-time Riverside corporate citizen -- see the civic benefit of restructuring the proposed office tower in a way in which all parties come out a winner (even if it takes a bit of redevelopment funds).
Just like the Mission Inn.
Photo Gallery - Mission Inn
Recent Comments
gedward on Then & Now - Main at Mission Inn: Richard, thanks for reminding us of the connection ...
Richard T. Russell on Then & Now - Main at Mission Inn: Rene: It's too bad you feel that way about the old ...
tanya on National Park(ing) Day in Riverside: I had some friends do parking day in Sherman Oaks. ...
Tanya on Riverside Roundup -- 09/13/2008: Hey, thanks for the plug! I am definitely countin ...