Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Shulman House
1950
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 8, 2023
1. Shulman House Marker
The only unaltered steel frame house of architect Raphael S. Soriano, FAIA. Declared August 28, 1987 Historic-Cultural Monument No. 325 by the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Heritage Commission, Cultural Affairs Department.
Erected 1987 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 325.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 34° 7.39′ N, 118° 22.067′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood Hills. Marker is on Woodrow Wilson Drive just east of Laurel Canyon/Mulholland Drive, on the left when traveling east. Located at the end of a long, steep driveway. Private property, not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7875 Woodrow Wilson Dr, Los Angeles CA 90046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lankershim Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Universal City Overlook (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kallis House (approx. 0.6 miles away); “Love Street” (approx. one mile away); "The Store Where The Creatures Meet"
this page online
Regarding Shulman House. The house is a mid-century steel home and studio in the Hollywood Hills. In 1947 architectural photographer Julius Shulman asked architect Raphael Soriano to build him a house and studio in the Hollywood Hills. By August 1947 the design was decided upon, and construction began in the early months of 1949. The building took nine months to complete and was occupied in March 1950. Garrett Eckbo designed the landscaping. It has remained unaltered, and the Shulman House was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles on March 25, 1987.
Significance Statement:
The property meets the criteria for HCM designation because it is “identified with historic personages,” as the former residence of celebrated photographer Julius Shulman. Schulman's iconic photographs of postwar architecture shaped the image of Los Angeles as a mecca for Mid-Century Modernism. The Period of Significance
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 8, 2023
2. Shulman House Marker
[and]
The property meets the criteria for HCM designation because it embodies the "distinguishing characteristics of an architectural-type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction," as an example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. It is also associated with the "notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect," as a work by master architect Raphael S. Soriano.
Restoration in 2016 included upgraded features and amenities while maintaining the original design. The cork-lined entryway has been restored, and new adjustable screens have been added to the home’s plentiful glass walls and sliding doors. New cabinetry and shelves were added in a way that respects Soriano’s original design intent while also creating space to integrate modern HVAC equipment — avoiding its intrusion on the house’s flat roofline. The most significant change to the building was an alteration of the floor plan to accommodate a guest bedroom, which was achieved without altering the structure’s steel frame.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 8, 2023
3. Shulman House
courtesy Architect Magazine, December 5, 2016
4. Shulman House
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 10, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
