Excavating a Vault in Lagunas History

By Jennifer Erickson on February 14th, 2014

Even as Laguna Beachs shoreline evokes images of hidden coves rather than buried treasures, a forgotten landmark was recently unearthed during restoration of an Ocean Avenue building, originally home to the now defunct Laguna Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Construction superintendent Don Crowl, of Irvine-based Miller Contracting, describes renovation plans underway for a historic Ocean Avenue building.

The project team knew of a wall-size fountain turned off long ago when a courtyard receded from public view behind a building addition. But no one suspected the existence of a four-foot tiled pool at the fountains base, said construction superintendent Don Crowl of Irvine-based Miller Contracting, who is overseeing rehabilitation of 222 Ocean Ave. His workers unearthed the pool when they removed the concrete slab that had been poured over it.

It sort of becomes an archeological site, said project architect and local Todd Skenderian. Thats what makes it fun.

Heeding instructions from project historian Jan Ostashay to move slowly in case just such relics were uncovered, the architect and contractor must now salvage the pool and integrate it into the building, which will house a New York style pizza restaurant

Most recently home to Sirous & Sons Rug Gallery, and Big Dog Sportswear before that, the structure won its place on the citys Historic Register because of the historical significance of its first occupant, representing the citys early banking industry, as well as its original architecture, said principal planner Moncia Tuchscher.

The defunct tower obscured by trees and additions at 222 Ocean Avenue.

Designed by Aubrey St. Clair, who also designed City Hall, the Laguna County Water District building and others in town, the Spanish Colonial Revival edifice was constructed for the bank in 1945. St. Clair also designed an addition in 1952. Another 1,149 square-foot expansion in 1956 fully enclosed the banks outdoor patio and decorative fountain. And three more remodels of the facade and storefront occurred over three decades, says Ostashays historical assessment.

Despite the disfiguring alterations, the Heritage Committee designated the building an E-rated (exceptional) structure in 2012 in anticipation of the promised historic restoration by the new owners, who sought its inclusion in the citys historic register. That designation led to the projects approval last April and a 75 percent reduction in normally required parking spaces.

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Excavating a Vault in Lagunas History