Preservation groups clash with San Diego over demolition of century-old La Jolla cottages
A plan to tear down the fire-damaged Red Rest cottage while sparing its neighbor Red Roost has sparked protests from local historic-preservation advocates.
Red Rest and Red Roost, two of the oldest surviving wooden cottages in La Jolla Village, suffered extensive damage in an October 2020 fire. The city’s current demolition proposal would remove Red Rest while preserving Red Roost, a plan that has ignited anger among preservationists. The La Jolla Historical Society filed an appeal on June 16, joined by Save Our Heritage Organisation, both claiming the move would undermine the integrity of the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District.
La Jolla Community Planning Association President Lisa Kreideman described the city’s stance as abandoning its historic-preservation responsibilities, and the Community Planning Committee backed the appeal with a 22-2 vote. Committee Chair Victoria LaBruzzo highlighted a 2002 Notice of Violation for lack of maintenance and warned that allowing deterioration to justify demolition could set a harmful precedent. Critics also say the city failed to assess demolition’s impact on the surrounding cottage ensemble or to consider preservation options like stabilization, rehabilitation, or rebuilding with reclaimed materials.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights how cities balance development with protecting historic landmarks that define community identity.
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