California

 Santa Monica: Inhabited initially by Tongva People

Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola commanded the California expedition in 1769. While Portola and his crew were resting in the camp, some men searched for a way along the shore. According to the story, when a small company crossed an unorthodox plain, it was hot and dusty. They reached two bubbling fountains hidden behind a tall plane tree shelter. After drinking refreshing water and relaxing in the shade, the small group concluded that this place needed a name. That day was the day of St. Monica on May 4th of the liturgical year, and sources reminded us of St. Monica's tears against their false son Augustine. That's why it was named Santa Monica.

By 1822, the land had moved from Spanish rule to the Republic of Mexico and became privately owned. In 1828, Don Francisco Sepulveda acquired interim ownership of Rancho San Vicente Santa Monica, an area between Santa Monica Canyon and what is now Santa Monica Canyon. To Pico Boulevard and the Westwood region northeast.

Originally from Rhode Island, Colonel Baker came to California in 1849 during the gold rush to mine supplies with cows and sheep in San Francisco and later in Taejong. Then, in 1872, Colonel Baker purchased Rancho San Vicente Santa Monica from the heirs of Don Francisco Sepulveda for $ 55,000.

He started talking about Gulf cities and believed that Southern California would surely be a prosperous and prosperous region. Colonel Baker knew that it would cost a lot of money to achieve this, so he tried to get some eastern capitalists to invest their money. By 1874, he soon found a partner, a wealthy US Senator named John P. Jones in Nevada. Jones came to California and bought 3/4 interest on Colonel Baker's ranch for $ 162,500. - Santa Monica History Museum

The Gabrielino Indians at the Time of the Portola Expedition: 1769-70 (1962)

Map of tribe locations which were found by the expedition by Governor Gaspar Portola as he journeyed through Southern California in 1969. (Chris Millington, M.A., RPA, Trevor Gittelhough, M.A. (2019))

Rancho San Vicente & Santa Monica

The map represents the primary location of the territories that were the Ranchos owned by the Mexican government when ownership was transferred from the Spaniards.

Santa Monica 19th to 20th Century

Santa Monica has changed drastically since its establishment, now there are multi-family buildings such as duplexes, triplex, and apartments that make up part of the new face of Santa Monica. Its proximity to the beach, and its nightlife makes it really desirable for any young person.

Source: University of Southern California Libraries & California Historical Society

1. Bank of Santa Monica at the corner of Third Street and Santa Monica Boulevard (then, Oregon Avenue), Santa Monica, ca.1907-1910

2. Residence of Felix Peano (Pieveo?) on San Vicente Boulevard, Santa Monica, ca.1915

3. Ocean Park Bank, Santa Monica, May 19, 1905

4. Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica looking north, ca.1890

5. Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Fourth Street, looking north on Fourth Street, ca.1890

6. View of Western Avenue looking north from Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, ca.1927

7. Construction of the Santa Monica Pier, ca.1890

8. Santa Monica's North Beach from the Arcadia Hotel, ca.1890

Santa Monica Present Day

1. - 4. Source: Royalty Free Images

Project Proposal

The project takes on a multi-family apartment to restore and renovate it by giving it a facelift of its exterior façade and repurposing its setbacks to become usable.

Concept

Initial Site Visit

Design Process