Nearly 20 years ago three of my employees and I moved into a corner suite on the 5th floor of the Central Tower Building in downtown Santa Monica to house my growing architectural design firm. I had already been running my business for a couple of years, but when I signed on the dotted line of the lease, everything suddenly got real…but also got very exciting. I knew there was no looking back.
The suite we moved into was on the same floor as my friend and teacher Martin Gelber. He had been in Central Tower for many years prior and convinced me it was a great spot for a growing architect. He was correct; it was a great choice. I remember joking with him at the time that I would move to a small corner office only if I could take over the whole floor once he decided to retire.
Many people love Santa Monica, which is why it has been coined with names such as “City of Inspiration” and “Pearl of the Pacific” throughout its history. Lauded as Santa Monica’s first skyscraper, Central Tower was designed in the Art Deco style in 1929 by architect M. Eugene Durfee and constructed by C.L. Freeman and J. Wesley Forder. Features like the recessed entrance with a travertine and marble floor, geometric coffered ceiling, and Art Deco reliefs were prominent architectural details to the structure. After the building’s completion, Durfee moved his architecture practice into one of the office units.
Durfee set the path because the building has been a favorite home to many architects over the years. I consider it an architectural gem that feeds our soul—it has operable windows (every few feet of wall) with views of the ocean, city and mountains. It is the type of space that really contributes to both our creativity and the well-being of our employees.
Perhaps I felt Durfee’s spirit or was inspired by Martin’s love of the building that made me move into Central Tower all those years ago because I not only stayed, but along the way SweisKloss expanded and did eventually take over the entire 5th floor. Jeff and I have since then broadened our team of talented staff on both the design + construct sides and have had the fortune to work on many wonderful projects in our space.
I remember when Central Tower was designated a historic landmark in 2013, a deserving moment. Without a doubt, I am proud that SweisKloss will be a part of this building’s history.
