The Eichler | Mondo Lounge | Los Angeles Scrapbook | Las Vegas | Future
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Preservation Highlights in Southern California and beyond
Route 66 Windmill
Mary-Margaret volunteered on behalf of historic Mid-Century Modern era architecture preservation for over twenty years. For instance, she made and wore windmill hats at the “Save the Windmill” Rally on Route 66 and helped to generate positive press that led to the preservation of this quintessential Route 66 building!
Saving the Palm Springs Visitor Center
In the late 1990s, after attending Tony Merchell’s 1997 first ever Palm Springs Modernism tour where they met the architect, Albert Frey in his hillside home, Mary-Margaret testified at the hearings to support the preservation of the ‘now landmarked’ Tramway Gas Station in Palm Springs even before Palms Springs Modcom was conceived!
National Influence
Mary-Margaret was active in the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee since the SCA Society for Commercial Archeology Los Angeles Conference and helping to design and layout the Suburban Metropolis Tour booklet in 1996. In 2001, Mary-Margaret went on to create Lotta Living – the very first online bulletin board dedicated to historic preservation of Mid Century Modernism as a resource for LA ModCom. The message board, named after the Jack Jones hit song from the 1950s movie Bye Bye Birdie, went on to bring together preservation fans of Mid Century Modernism all across the country! From Kansas City to Portland to Pheonix and beyond. The board helped to spur local groups across the country to follow suit in creating their own local online communities.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Also in 2001, m&m produced the the first ever architectural tour of Knott’s Berry Farm where she introduced attendees to the infamous ‘backstage’ “Rat Fink” fridge when Big Daddy Roth worked at the park. And she introduced fellow historians to each other, historians Eric Lynxwiler to Chris Merritt, and years later, the two would go on to write the seminal book, Knott’s Preserved.
More about this tour can be found on the Lotta Livin website.
Saving the Cinerama Dome, Hollywood!
One Mary-Margaret’s crowning achievements was being a part of the efforts to save the world famous Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, CA from demolition. Along with preservation leader, Doug Haines, she used grass roots efforts and outreach to the Directors Guild to spur Mr. Haines to successfully save the building for future generations.
Eames House 20-20-20 Tour
In 2005, Mary-Margaret served as Tour Captain at the seminal 20th anniversary ModCom Tour of the Eames private Home in Pacific Palisades, where m&m met and Eames Demetrios and dressed as his mother, Ray Eames, for the day!
The Eichler Foster Residence
Successful Nomination of a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Landmark
After fixing the Earthquake damaged first home and then working on a remodel of an L.A. 1960s garage apartment, soon Mary-Margaret was working on her first major true architectural restoration project, an original condition 1964 Eichler by architect A. Quincy Jones. After the restoration, the “Foster Residence” property won a successful exterior, PLUS an even more rare interior Los Angeles City Cultural Historic Landmark (#848) designation for their work. This home was often featured in tv, movies and commercial photo shoots. This work is detailed on several pages under “Past Projects.”
Doubling Comps through Preservation!
In addition, Mary-Margaret was instrumental in doubling comps in the Eichler neighborhood in Northern Los Angeles by using a combination of proper restoration, educational outreach and historic neighborhood designation.
One of the things that helped to bring about the notoriety of this neighborhood was the historic How Modern Was My Valley Tour. Mary-Margaret produced this first, and to date, ONLY seminal tour of architecture in the San Fernando Valley. This tour was conducted for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference as well as a two day self driving tour booklet for the Los Angeles Conservancy attended by over 700 people.
After this tour, housing values eventually went from 300k range to 700-800k within a period of 3 years. Even during and after the real estate correction of 2008, these Eichler properties maintained their value.
Mondo Lounge
Over the years, Mary-Margaret was known for hosting many themed private parties at her home. In addition, produced three major public festivals called, “Mondo Lounge,” with several hundred attendees present.
The first Mondo Lounge was produced in Hollywood, CA in 2004 as a means to get together friends across many niche communities who all shared a common thread of loving the Rat Pack era style and sound. A second Mondo Lounge Atomic Frolic was co-produced by Jason “Java” Croft in 2007 in Las Vegas, NV. And a third Mondo was held at the Palms Hotel in 2010. the branding for all of three of these events was provided in part by the international artist, SHAG.
Participants over the years read like a who’s who of the “retro scene” and included of course, the artist Josh Agle aka SHAG, the Petersen Automotive Museum, Hollywood Heritage Museum, Hollywood Wax Museum, Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, Charles Phoenix (as seen on Martha Stewart and Conan O’Brien), Eric Lynxwiler, Octaviao “Winky Tiki” Arizala, Playboy Playmate, Holly Madison, Hollywood impressario Maxwell deMille, Cherry Capri. Masuimi Max, Capitol Records Ultralounge, Falling Cocos, Sneaky Tiki, Billy Shire and Soap Plant La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Allan Scura eyewear. Caliente Tropics Resort, Atomic Ranch Magazine, the Dresden Room, Micelli’s Hollywood, Hollywood Book and Poster, Modernica, Los Angeles Museum of Neon Art, the Martini Kings, King Kukulele, Count Smokula, Art Vargas, Arthur Murray dance studios, Brini Maxwell (Bravo and Style Network), Michelle Baldwin, Lynn Zook, Michael Weatherford, Clouseaux, Octobop, Project Pimento, Mark Tortorici, Betinna May, Burlesque As It Was dance troupe, Erochica Bamboo, GoGo Amy, Kalani Kokonuts, Kitten Deville, Lolita Haze and Mia Vixen, Tiki Farm, Kay O’Hara, DJs Drew Groove, DJ Senor Amor, DJ Mardou & Leo, DJ Jay Strongman, Tashcen Books,DJ K Billy, DJ Caesare, DJ Joe Maggarini, Lee Joseph and Dionysus Records, Second Life Entertainment, Roxy Rouge, Tana the Tattoed Lady, Vita Vixen, Fez-orama, Badland Beads, Cinema Collectors, Coquette Furriers, Donnaland Vintage Variety, Genevieve Designs, GoGo amy, Hep Cat Pinups, La Bomba Vintage, Lampshade Lounge, Suzanna Anna, Swampfire Lounge, Velvet Glass, Liquid Salvation, M Modern Gallery, SugarKitty Corsets, Retro-a-go-go, Lili Von Schtupp, Tiki Central, Las Vegas Jr. League, PRG, Nutty, 944 and Seven magazines.
Los Angeles Preservation Scrapbook!
Preservation Activism and Education Efforts
With Case Study Architect, Ray Kappe at his home
With good friend, GOOGIE author, Alan Hess
Taking a shot of photographer friend,. David, taking a shot of Julius Shulman in his own home!
On the Last Night of “Hollywood Lanes” where the Big Lebowski was shot.
Historic author Sandwich: Eric Lynxwiler, Nathan Marsac, Charles Phoenix
With Allee Willis, Bubbles the kitsch Artist, at the Rout 66 Tepees
With friend, Josh Agle (aka SHAG) at a gallery opening
L.A. Times Article of the ModCom Gang at Bob’s Big Boy
and just plain fun times with good friends…
Plus, Tiki Activism! at the 40th Anniversary of the historic Tiki Room
M&M and pop culture edu-tainer, Charles Phoenix, have dueled for loudest outfits on a few occasions!
ENTER Las Vegas…
Mary-Margaret and friend, author and historic Neon expert, Eric Lynxwiler, conducted the first architectural history bus tour of Vintage Vegas for the “Mondo Tiki” event at the Hard Rock Hotel in 2003. Around this time, the Strattons purchased their first Vegas vacation home and dubbed it – the El Ranchito Vegas after the very first Strip resort – the El Rancho.
Saving the La Concha Lobby
Also around this time, Mary-Margaret had already been instrumental in helping to spur efforts to preserve the La Concha Motel (the historic 1961 motel by African American architect, Paul R. Williams) back in 2003. In 2003, while they were still living in Los Angeles, she began a grass roots campaign to Save the La Concha Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip from demolition. MM created the website, www.savelaconcha.com. Los Angeles designer, Chris Green, drew up a fabulous logo to promote the cause and m&m started an online petition that received hundreds of signatures.
The efforts caught on. Key individuals alerted the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preserve Nevada and the Recent Past Preservation Network to put this building on their Most Endangered Lists. Eventually this kick-started the preservation efforts in Las Vegas and the La Concha Dome was saved and relocated in 2006.
Atomic Age Alliance Non Profit
Later, because Las Vegas provided supply of affordable restore-able Modern real estate, the Strattons eventually sold their Los Angeles home in order to purchase and rehabilitate additional properties in Las Vegas. As a result, m&m founded the Atomic Age Alliance together with the owners of M Modern Gallery and Sin City Modern and helped to initiate the Modern historic preservation movement in Las Vegas with the VISION to save more MidMod structures!
In 2007, Mary-Margaret wrote the first self-driving tour guide to MidMod architecture in Las Vegas called “Mondo Vegas!” She also conducted a few more cultural bus tours including one that included a group photo opportunity on the EXACT spot where the famous Frank SInatra Rat Pack in front of the Sands Hotel picture was taken!!!
And In 2008, Mary-Margaret conducted the first ever home tour of Paradise Palms with 6 homes open with docent led tours and scripts explaining the history and significance of this neighborhood.
Her preservation work in Las Vegas has been featured in a few publications, most notably Las Vegas Home and Design magazine with a 12 page feature spread of their home, the Caddyshack!
TELEVISION:
Ask this Old House – in Las Vegas
The Strattons were featured with one of their Paradise Palms’ homes on the PBS tv series Ask This Old House. And another one of their homes was featured in the seminal documentary on P&K architect, William Krisel, Architect documentary.
Mary-Margaret applied her vast knowledge of historic structure rehabilitation for well over a decade and successfully restored numerous 1950s and 1960s properties. She finds the beauty of Mid Century restoration is that often affordable off-the-shelf products are available that are historically appropriate. she takes a hands-on approach to restoring these homes to an original glamorous “Vintage Vegas” appeal. It is her wish to provide unique special properties and attract high-quality long term tenants.
Las Vegas Scrapbook
With “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign graphic designer, Betty Willis.
Conducting the first seminal tour for the Clark County Tourism Board – On the exact site of the original Sand’s Hotel Rat Pat Photo.
Future Futura
Atomic Colony continues to support architectural preservation and cultural activities through the latest project – the Seed of Life retreat Center in Hill country texas. There a vast style reference library of architecture, furniture and finishes of the period as well as a network of preservation architects, designers and historians available for consulting. the Seed of Life plans to partner and support other historic and cultural entities.
Lastly, in addition to their work in historic preservation, Mary-Margaret is passionate about addiction recovery and was a former Board Member of the Alliance for Addiction Solutions and and formerly rented out longer term rooms to support Vegas visitors in recovery. the Seed of Life in texas will continue this mission.
Above: m&m graciously opened three of her homes up for two of the Miss Exotic World Pinup Photo Safaris, in 2008 and 2013.