Brief

The Cultural Heritage Commission nominated the Talmadge building, a multi-structure property at 3278 West Wilshire Boulevard and 656-660 South Berendo Street, for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument. The nomination went through the Planning and Land Use Management Committee in September 2026 and was adopted by City Council on September 18 with an 11-0 vote (4 abstentions). The designation is now official, though subject to reconsideration under Council Rule 51.

Full summary

The Cultural Heritage Commission initiated this file to designate the Talmadge complex — a multi-parcel property at 3278 West Wilshire Boulevard and 656-660 South Berendo Street, owned by Talmadge LLC and nominated by applicant James Dastoli — as a Historic-Cultural Monument. The designation required the Council to make two substantive legal findings: that the property meets the definition of a Monument under Section 22.171.7 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, and that the project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA pursuant to State Guidelines covering regulatory actions protecting historical resources. The Planning and Land Use Management Committee reviewed the CHC's report and findings at its September 8, 2026 meeting, with City Planning staff presenting an overview and the public given an opportunity to comment. The committee voted to approve the designation — Raman, Jurado, and Nazarian in favor, Blumenfield and Lee absent — and forwarded the item to the full Council with a recommendation to adopt the CHC's findings as the Council's own findings and to formally add The Talmadge to the city's list of Historic-Cultural Monuments. City Council adopted all of the PLUM Committee's recommendations on September 18, 2026, voting 11-0 with 4 members not voting. The adoption is subject to reconsideration under Council Rule 51, a standard provision allowing the vote to be revisited within a defined window. No community impact statement or fiscal impact analysis was submitted in connection with the designation. With the Council's action, The Talmadge now carries official Historic-Cultural Monument status, affording it legal protections that would apply to any future proposals for demolition, significant alteration, or development affecting the site.

Activity (6)

• 2026-09-18 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-09-15 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on September 18, 2026.
• 2026-09-08 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved item(s) .
• 2026-08-28 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 8, 2026.
• 2026-08-04 Cultural Heritage Commission document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
• 2026-08-03 Document submitted by Cultural Heritage Commission, dated July 30, 2026.

Documents (6)

• 2026-09-08 Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee · report
• 2026-08-28 Communication from Deputy Clerk - Notice(s) · communication
• 2026-07-30 Report from Cultural Heritage Commission · report
• 2026-07-30 Attachment to Report dated 7-30-26 - Findings · attachment
• 2026-07-30 Attachment to Report dated 7-30-26 - Mailing List · attachment
• 2026-07-30 Attachment to Report dated 7-30-26 - Staff Report · attachment

Council votes (1)

• 2026-09-18 Adopted — 11-0-4 · Regular