Agents of Architecture, The Journal - Vol. 10 | Special Edition
This volume of The Journal is special to us, because we finally get to share with you some photos and details of our first brick-and-mortar office space, meets gallery, meets vintage modern shop.
Our goal was to create a space that felt part of the community. We wanted it to be central to all of San Diego’s urban, historic, and architecturally impactful neighborhoods. We also wanted to provide a way to support local businesses and artists; all while showcasing San Diego’s unique properties.
Located on Park Boulevard in an Egyptian Revival building, minutes from Balboa Park, we are surrounded by inspiring architecture. We have a direct view of The Flame, which was designed by Mid-Century Modern architect, Richard Wheeler (son of the Balboa Theatre’s designer William Wheeler), and are a stones throw away from The Cairo (by the Mission Hills based architecture firm Safdie Rabines), DECA by KMA Architecture (designers of Downtown’s Aperture & Parkloft), and Mr. Robinson by Jonathan Segal, which is the youngest building to be designated as a Historic Resource by the City of San Diego and Historic Resources Board.
Our space is open to all, whether you want to check out some books on local and international architecture, window shop or purchase some vintage pieces, and of course we’re here to talk about any of your unique real estate goals.
Hope you enjoy this month’s volume.
- Agents of Architecture
1928 Egyptian Revival ‘Pharaoh’s Court’ built by George L. Stowe
Originally built for Albert E. Roberts, a local real estate and insurance company owner, it was then sold to John D. and Elizabeth Roberts, who lived in one of the upper apartments until 1931. Charles J. Booher, a car salesman, and his wife Nancy, a local teacher, purchased the property and lived there until 1938.
The Pharaoh Court Apartments building has residential units upstairs and cottages up the hill behind the street. Originally the storefront contained a meat market, and was home to a furniture shop for the past 15 years.
Pilaster columns support a stucco lintel and Pharaohs’ heads guarding the entrance. In the large apartment building, above the stores, colorful tiles are imbedded in the risers of concrete steps which lead into the apartment complex.
Past the main building are three cottages, with Pharaoh heads atop pilasters of grey, stucco “blocks” and the symbols of protection over the front doors. Across the sidewalk from the cottages is a small garden with trees, flowers, wild birds, and a pond, which has a concrete statue of an Egyptian girl lying down, holding out a bowl from which water flowed in years past. The whole effect is to create an oasis of cool quiet off a busy, commercial street. Source: San Diego History Center
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture, Art & Decor Fills the Space
Agents of Architecture founders Jeff and Jessica Walker, along with vintage modern dealer David Barber, curated a space with items that were completely sourced locally.
The conference room panels came from a Mid-Century Modern house in Escondido, the Knoll Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia were originally purchased for a John Lloyd Wright house in Rancho Santa Fe in the 1950s. Vintage Eames chairs, Persian rugs and other items came from local dealers such as Mesa Vintage in La Mesa, Mauricio in San Marcos, and David Barber’s own collection.
The office space includes a lounge that is welcome to clients and visitors who want to preview the current gallery offerings or take a look at one of the several hundred architecture books in our library.
Every couple of months we will host a different exhibition in our gallery space. Subjects will range from architects, photographers, artists, and other creatives.
Now through the end of July we are showcasing the work of Julius Shulman, a renowned architectural photographer. Curated by our very own Keith York, the gallery is displaying Shulman’s photographs of San Diego’s Mid-Century Modern architecture.
The Shop at Agents of Architecture
Unique homes deserve to be filled with unique things, so we’ve created a gallery-style shop space offering vintage modern furniture, art & decor.
From desks and chairs, ceramics by local artists, to art and Persian rugs, this assortment of curated pieces is intended to inspire and help our clients and friends bring a unique touch to their homes.
You may also be seeing some of these pieces in our property listings as we now have full access to unique and period appropriate items for staging and home marketing material.
Currently in the shop we have a pair of Eames DCM chairs, a dining table and chair set designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, a wide variety of Persian & Turkish rugs, circa 1960’s ceramics by local artist David Stewart, and art by Marjorie 'Marj' Hyde, for whom the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College was named after.
Additional current offerings include a Knoll Barcelona lounge chair & ottoman by Mies Van Der Rohe, Danish teak desk by Arne Vodder, a wide assortment of Frank Lloyd Wright books, and art by Fred Hocks, Alexander Calder and Shlomo Zafrir.
We work with an incredible group of vendors & interior designers, if you are ever looking for something specific, please feel free to reach out and we can likely locate it for you.
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