Appeal Filed in Midas Landmark Vote

An appeal was filed Thursday that could overturn a decision to deny a landmark designation for the Midas Building at the corner of Fifth and Colorado, where aviator Waldo Waterman built flying cars in the 1930s.

A landmarks designation would likely force the building’s preservation. A developer has submitted plans to demolish it for the construction of a six-story Marriott hotel, but has said he will back out if the building is landmarked.

The Santa Monica's Landmarks Commission, which serves as an advisory board to the City Council, voted 6-1 vote June 11 to deny the designation because the the building had changed too much architecturally.

The city attorney's office is reviewing the application for appeal before it's heard by the City Council. The council will have the ultimate say.

"The chances of the city deciding it's a landmark when a big hotel project is in the works are small," said Landmarks Commissioner Nina Fresco. "But the appeal is a sign that the community is standing up and demanding that the city learns about the site's history."

Constructed in 1928, the Spanish colonial-style building was once highly ornamented, with details such as a tile floor, mezzanine balcony and ornate ceiling, but those features have significantly deteriorated, according to commissioner Ruthann Lehrer.

"Everyone agreed that the history that took place at the site was an important part of Santa Monica's story, but the building did not convey that story because it was so altered," she said.

Between 1940 and 1994, varying owners and tenants submitted 15 applications to make changes to the building. Among the renovations: in 1970, a fire destroyed the interior and was later rebuilt, and during the 1980s, the exterior was sandblasted, storefronts and an entrance were removed and replaced with three new doors to create three new retail stores, and drop ceilings and office partitions were installed. In 1994, thick gunite was applied to the walls to repair damage from the Northridge Earthquake, , according to the city’s consultant, PCR Services.

An inventor and aviation pioneer, Waterman had ties to the Midas building for more than 40 years. He leased it for his company, Waterman Arrowplane Corporation, in 1935 before purchasing it in 1940. It was under his ownership until his death 1976.

Waterman began designing airplanes and developing airplane technology in Venice in 1919. The original design of his flying car, the "Whatsit," occurred in the early 1930s at what is now the Van Nuys Airport. Between 1933 and 1935, Waterman worked on the flying car at the Van Nuys Airport and at 15th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. It was only between 1935 and 1938, that he actually worked on the design and manufacturing of the "Arrowbile" flying car at the shop on Fifth Street. He produced six at the location, according to PCR.

He also stored an Arrowbile at his home in Santa Monica Canyon at 460 Mesa Rd. and would drive the aircraft to the Santa Monica Airport, as featured in Life Magazine. After World War II, Waterman lived at 345 Amalfi in the Santa Monica Canyon where he continued to work on the Arrowbile in his home workshop until he moved to San Diego

Fresco, who cast the dissenting vote, contends Waterman's association with the Midas site was strong enough to warrant the landmark designation. Additionally, she said it exemplifies the strong industrial and aviation history of Santa Monica in the 1930s.

Stay connected with Santa Monica Patch throughout the day on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for email updates.