Tag Archives: Original LA Farmers Market

Mr. Boddy Builds His Dream House

Leave a reply

Click for a video tour of this fabulous house, led by your dream realtor, Jo Stafford.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14mCMA9k3ItuRiTA-UMerARaoIIbRpva0/view?usp=sharing

Just as his Farmers Market was a-sprouting at 3d and Fairfax, Hollywood Regency architect James E. Dolena was hired by E. Manchester Boddy to build his “Rancho Descanso,” in a choice woodsy bowl on what had once been the Rancho Verdugo. With truly amazing native plant areas designed by none other than Theodore Payne himself, the myriad gardens, formal and natural, are truly a wonder to visit.

For Kak — LA Farmers Market — An Architectural Appreciation

3 Replies

Mom first told me about the Farmers Market, when I mentioned I was moving to Los Angeles. “LA? Oh, I’ve been there; there’s nothing interesting at all, except for Union Station, Olvera Street, and the Farmers Market.” (I have to admit, that’s quite the trifecta of Cool L.A. Sights for the tourist.)

Though over 30 years I’ve visited, and met good friends, and eaten, and bought ambrosial provender home from the Farmers Market, I never considered how influential — and packed with lessons for sustainability and adaptive re-use — the actual building is. Here’s my tribute to James Dolena’s “totally L.A.” vision.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BBVnqiD5lSowIQXmwWwQEIDZmcn-gG4Z/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link for a short, sweet movie about the fabulous thing that the Gilmore Family and immigrant architect James Dolena have given the City of the Queen of the Angels.