Ivy Substation and Media Park
Culver City, CA

Ivy Substation and Media Park, Culver City, CA, was analyzed for use as a community/ live performance center. The conversion and rehabilitation of the City of Los Angeles Landmark #182, the old electric "Red Car" transformer station was completed in 1993. The American with Disabilities Act and Title 24 accessibility standards were fully complied with. The 1904 Mission Revival style building's rehabilitation costs were paid for by the City of Culver City and had to be seismically reinforced under the Unreinforced Masonry Ordinance, Division 88, City of Los Angeles.

The building also serves as a 200 seat live performance arts theater with a control booth, lighting grid and movable, modular platform stage. A service kitchen can prepare 100 meals in 15 minutes. Heritage Architecture & Planning was involved with the project from the schematic design phase through construction observation. The project received the Los Angeles Conservancy Award and the prestigious Mayor's Cultural Affairs Award along with the California Preservation Foundation's statewide adaptive reuse preservation award.