The Getty Villa, Eames House, Hollywood Sign, and More: Which Buildings Have Been Impacted by Palisades Fires, and Which Are Safe?
Photo: David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
The iconic Eames House, Getty Villa, and other Los Angeles landmarks are at risk of destruction following a series of fires that have ravaged Southern California since Tuesday. As of publication time, 10 confirmed casualties have been reported and evacuation orders were put in place for nearly 300,000 residents. California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and warned that the blaze could continue for days. “By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods,” he said.
The Palisades fire started around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. A series of other fires including the Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire broke out over Wednesday and Thursday, impacting Altadena, Hollywood Hills, Acton, and other neighborhoods.
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“The fire is being fueled by a combination of strong Santa Ana wind and surrounding topography, which makes it extremely challenging for us firefighters to get a handle on it because we dealt with wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour last night,” Erik Scott, a firefighter and the Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said in a video posted on X on Wednesday. “Our priority is life and structure defense.”
By Friday morning, firefighters were able to make some gains against the biggest blazes, which had been nearly uncontrollable due to strong winds and dry climate. According to the LA Times, crews were in their “best position yet” and the Palisades fire was 8% contained, while the Eaton fire was 3% contained. According to officials, more than 9,000 homes, business, and buildings have been destroyed.
What buildings have been affected by the Palisades fires?
As Scott detailed, protecting life is the most important, while structural integrity is also paramount. Below, the current status of a number of local landmarks.
The Getty Villa
Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J Paul Getty Trust, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday evening that the fire had reached the museum’s grounds, but that staff and collections remained safe. “Museum galleries and library archives were sealed off from smoke by state-of-the-art air-handling systems. The double-walled construction of galleries also provides significant protection for the collections,” Fleming said. As of Thursday morning, the structure remained safe, according to a statement shared on Instagram.
Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area
Villa de Leon
Located near the Getty Villa, Villa de Leon is a 35-room historic estate designed by local architect Kenneth MacDonald Jr. The classical Mediterranean villa-style residence has been used as a filming location for a number of music videos and advertisements, including Beyoncé’s “Haunted,” “Love On” by Selena Gomez, and “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga. The grounds of the estate was seen engulfed in flames on a video posted on Instagram by Los Angeles Magazine. It was not immediately clear if and to what extent the building was damaged.
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Eames House
A landmark of 20th century design, the colorful modernist house was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1949 and served as their home and studio until their death. Though located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which has been heavily affected by the fire, the home is unharmed as of 2 p.m. PST on January 9. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and the Eames Foundation has taken every precaution to protect the site,” Lucia Dewey Atwood, executive director of the Eames Foundation, said in a statement to AD. “The loss and displacement caused by these fires is staggering, and we stand in solidarity with everyone affected during this incredibly difficult time.” Visits to the residence are cancelled until further notice.
Palisades Charter High School
The New York Times confirmed that classrooms, tennis courts, the baseball field, and bungalows had all burned in the fire. The school was closed for winter break, and only a small number of people had to be evacuated, according to the BBC. The local high school is known for a number of celebrity and entertainment industry alumni including J.J. Abrams, Forest Whitaker, and Will.i.am.
Palisades Elementary Charter School
Nearby, the Palisades Elementary Charter School had also reportedly been burned, according to the BBC and Los Angeles Scanner, an X account reporting real-time news across the LA area.
Vintage souvenir postcard, Home of Will Rogers, Homes of Movie Stars series, 1921
Will Rogers’s Historic Estate
Actor and political commentator Will Rogers first bought land in Santa Monica in the 1920s, which developed into a 359-acre ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Comprised of a 31-room main home and an adjacent guest house, stable, golf course, and corrals, the estate was donated to California in 1944 by Rogers’s window, Betty. All of the structures were destroyed in the fires, the California State Parks confirmed on Wednesday. “California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” State Parks director Armando Quintero said in a statement.
Topanga Ranch Motel
Topanga Ranch Motel
Built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929, the California Parks Service also confirmed that Topanga Ranch Motel has been destroyed in the Palisades fire. The bungalow cabins, which represented California’s coastal charm, were scheduled to be renovated. There were more than 30 structural losses across Topanga State Park and Will Rogers Historic State Park, according to the park service. “We are deeply grateful to our parks staff and all partner agencies for their swift actions. Our top priority remains the safety of the public, our employees, and the responders bravely battling the fires,” Quintero said.
Villa Aurora and the Thomas Mann House
In a statement released early Thursday morning, representatives for Villa Aurora, a historic artists’ residence offering fellowships for creators in various disciplines, was partially harmed, though the extent of the damage was still being assessed. “There are first indications that parts of Villa Aurora were able to withstand the destructive fires. However, the building continues to be in the danger zone,” the statement reads. Another historic home on the property, the Thomas Mann House, was undamaged as of Thursday morning. “This, too, is a momentary snapshot, as the situation can change any time: The building continues to be in the danger and evacuation zone,” a representative warned.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Surrounded by 120 acres of botanical gardens, the Huntington is a cultural and research center in Pasadena. According to a statement on Instagram, the property has lost a few trees due to high winds, but is otherwise undamaged. “While we are currently outside the range of active fires, our buildings are equipped with features designed to enhance the safety of our art and library collections. Our HVAC systems continue to maintain safe collection storage environments, including the filtering of outside air,” the post shared.
Keeler House
Anne Keeler confirmed to The New York Times that her Ray Kappe–designed residence was lost in the fires. “It’s gone,” she said. Kappe cofounded the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and was known for his progressive approach to architecture. The Keeler home was one of his seminal works.
Gamble House
Recognized as one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts design, the Gamble House was the residence of David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company and designed by Charles and Henry Greene. A National Historic Landmark, the home was unharmed as of late Wednesday night. “The Gamble House is safe for now!! Out of an abundance of caution, we will be closed through Sunday, January 12. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much in these devastating fires. Please stay safe,” reads an update on the home’s official Instagram account.
The Bunny Museum
A quirky and whimsical Altadena institution, the Bunny Museum, which celebrated all things rabbit, was lost in the Eaton fire, according to the LA Times. “We lost our wedding albums, my wedding dress, and 46,000 bunny objects,” Candace Frazee, who owned the museum with her husband, Steve Lubanski, wrote to the publication in an email. In a statement on X, the owners vowed to rebuild the beloved attraction, adding “tomorrow will be hoppier with so many good wishes.”
The Hollywood Sign
view onto sunny hollywood sign
The ignition of the Sunset fire in the Hollywood Hills area prompted concerns over the Hollywood sign located in Griffith Park. As The Independent reports, images of the local landmark surrounded in flames were shared widely across social media, leading to further speculation, though they were fake. As of the time of writing, the Hollywood sign is undamaged.
Theatre Palisades, Pierson Playhouse
Founded by three veteran television writers, Theatre Palisade, Pierson Playhouse was located in a California Modern structure designed by John G. Wallis. “Our beloved Pierson Playhouse is gone, but the heart of Theatre Palisades beats on. We will rise again,” the organization posted on Facebook.
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The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
According to NBC Los Angeles, the temple and Jewish center was destroyed early Wednesday. The congregation dates back to 1921, according to the temple’s website. “The Eaton Canyon fire continues to spread devastation. Our people and Torahs are safe, but many congregants have lost their homes entirely, and many more are displaced. The PJTC campus, a 100+ year spiritual home, has burned almost entirely to the ground,” a statement on the website reads.
Malibu Feed Bin
Offering food and supplies for horses, livestock, and pets, the Malibu Feed Bin has been in operation since 1966. According to a post on Facebook, the red shiplap building that housed the store was lost in the fire. “This is so unreal for me, and I’m having a hard time finding the words that even make sense. I want to thank everyone who has sent kind words and expressed concern for the store, my family, and staff. We are so thankful for the love and support you all have shown us after 60 years in business,” the owners wrote.
Palisades Village
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Much of Palisades Village, a shopping village and cultural center of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, was destroyed in the fires. A video from a Washington Post reporter shows extensive damage and the skeletal remains of a number of buildings. The downtown area was designed to capture California’s laid-back charm while drawing inspiration from famous shopping destinations such as San Francisco’s Fillmore Street and Boston’s Newbury Street.
Reel Inn
A iconic roadside seafood restaurant, Reel Inn succumbed to flames, according to The Malibu Times. “Known for its fresh fish and laid-back coastal atmosphere, Reel Inn has been a staple along the Pacific Coast Highway for decades,” the outlet wrote.
Andrew McNally House
The Andrew McNally house was a Queen Anne–style residence listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The home's owner, Frank Mayor, shared a video of the home on fire on his Instagram, confirming its destruction. “Alas, we are safe but the McNally House is no longer - three years of loving restoration up in flames along with almost everything we own. We are alive though and ready to start anew,” he captioned the video. The historic residence was designed by Frederick L. Roehring for Andrew McNally, who cofounded map company Rand McNally.
Celebrity Homes
A number of celebrities have lost their homes in the fires, including Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, and Leighton Meester and Adam Brody.
This is a developing story.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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