2441 N. Vermont Avenue 90027 - Petitfils Residence
2441 N. Vermont Avenue 90027 Los Feliz USA
Type
Historic-Cultural Monument, Spanish Colonial Revival
Sold
Bedrooms
3 Bedrooms
Bathrooms
4 Baths
Area
5431 sqft
About
“Petitfils Residence”
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #916, declared 4/8/2008.
Wallace Neff, architect
Click here for Los Angeles Department of City Planning Recommendation Report, which has additional details on the property’s architectural and historic significance.
Statement of Significance:
This residence was designed in 1926 by the renowned architect Wallace Neff for Lain Evart (Edward) L. Petifils and his wife, Julia C. Petifils, in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Edward Petifils was the former President of Richfield Oil Company. The house displays many of the signature design elements that Wallace Neff used during this period, such as a, arched doorways, vaulted ceilings, interior tile work and wood paneling. Edward Petifils passed away in 1936, Julia in 1940. Their son, Raymond sold the house the following year. It went through several owners until March 21, 1952, when it was acquired by Chong A. Chock. The Chock Family was there until 1993.
Historical Significance:
The Petifils Residence, built in 1926 by Wallace Neff for Edward Petifils, was important to the development of Los Angeles because Wallace Neff was one of the premier architects of mid-20th Century Los Angeles. His homes were each unique and well suited for their sites. Neff, who was the grandson of Andrew McNally, the co-founder of the map making Rand McNally Company, was responsible for many of the homes of the area’s rich and famous. His specialty was in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Homes such as the famous “Pickfair” for Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., were to make him famous. Neff soon became one of a select handful of architects repeatedly tapped by wealthy Californians to design their dream homes. The Petifils Residence was one of Neff’s earlier works, displaying a grandeur that catches the eye and a simplicity that makes it both comfortable and easy to live in.
Since Neff was brought back to do the redesign after a disastrous…1929 had destroyed a good portion of the structure, the newer portions blend so well with the original house that there are no transition lines or variations of architectural style in the structure. The home originally commanded a grand view over Vermont Avenue, but the frontage was sold off after World War II and the home is now more secluded behind the later structures. (Source: Los Angeles Department of City Planning Recommendation Report)
History:
Architect Wallace Neff designed this Spanish Colonial Revival home for Edward L. Petifils. Petitfils, who came to Los Angeles at the turn of the 20th century, made his fortune in the oil industry, and was the President of the Richfield Oil Company.
In the late 1920’s, a fire so large that it traumatized Doug Goodan, who lived across the street, burned the second story. Neff returned to rebuild it as a single story home. (Source: Mrs. Harrison Chandler of Sierra Madre.)
Petifils home appears in Pacific Coast Architect, Sept., 1927, Vol.XXXII, no. 3 Home of Paul Dietrich, motion picture executive, Chairman of RKO, VP of Janss Co 1925 -1930. (source: Who’s Who in Los Angeles County 1950.)
615 S. Broadway: confectionary shop. Employed Charles Plummer, architect, to do plans for cafe and candy factory and bakery in the basement.
1930 census:
2441 North Vermont (Value: $200,000): 1) Everett L. Petitfils, owner and head of household; 52 year old white married male; married at age 21; born in Texas; father born in Mississippi; mother in Alabama; operator in the oil industry. 2) Julia C. Petitfils, wife; 52 year old white married female; married at age 21; born in Alabama; parents born in Alabama; not working. 3) Emilo J. Lonard, chauffeur; 28 year old Negro married male; married at age 18; born in Louisiana; parents born in Louisiana; a chauffeur for a private family. 4) Ruth V. Lonard, servant; 28 year old Negro married female; married at age 22; born in Mississippi; parents born in Mississippi; a servant in a private family.
2441 Vermont (rents for $10): 1) Abe Valentine, head of household; white single male 42 years of age; born in Hungary; caretaker of a private home; earns $1,080.
(see 4519 W. Cockerham)
Details
Type: Historic-Cultural Monument Sold
Bedrooms: 3
Area: 5431 sqft
Lot Size: 78840 sqft
Bathrooms: 4
Year Built: 1926