July 6, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Sullivan Canyon in Brentwood Deemed A Historic Place

Brentwood
Sullivan Canyon is on the register of historic locations. (Courtesy image)

In a move to recognize the architectural and design contributions of Cliff May, the Los Angeles City Council voted May 13 to include Sullivan Canyon in Brentwood as a historic location and resource.

The unanimous vote places Sullivan Canyon on the California Register of Historic Resources as a location that, according to the City’s Planning and Land Use Management committee, “embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values.”

Sullivan Canyon is being recognized “as an intact example of a postwar Ranch style single-family housing tract,” according to City documents.

May was described by City planners as “one of the most important originators and designers of the Ranch style.”

“Sullivan Canyon is the culmination of Cliff May’s lifelong dedication to designing, developing, and promoting an urbanized form of ranch living,” a report from the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission stated. “As one of the most important designers of the Ranch style, May dictated what ‘modern’ suburban American living looked like. Sullivan Canyon is where May was allowed to bring the Ranch style to its most literal expression by incorporation of communal stables, bridle trails, and horse barns in a rustic setting that reflected an actual ranch.”

The Brentwood community was the creation of May in 1946, shortly after World War II. May subdivided several parcels off of Old Ranch Road. What became known as Sullivan Canyon Ranches, the parceled land came with “sensible restrictions,” according to City Hall, and included “social, architectural, and spatial restrictions … to ensure the development of the area maintained its Ranch character.”

“Tucked away within [the] natural setting [of Sullivan Canyon] are the houses in Ranch style that complete the exceptional character of this small development in the Santa Monica Mountains,” Los Angeles City staff stated. “Sullivan Canyon provides a strong sense of time and place as Cliff May’s intact vision for perfect ranch living in the City of Los Angeles.”

According to City Hall, homes in Sullivan Canyon were a “high-style” version of the postwar Ranch house. Characteristics of these homes included being single story with wings, a medium to low-pitched roof, large picture windows, deeply inset entrances and bays, wide chimneys, and exposed structural beams.

The Sullivan Canyon Property Owners Assoc. submitted an application to City Hall nominating the Brentwood community to be included in the California Register of Historical Resources.

Councilman Mike Bonin, who represents Brentwood in City Hall, was not present for the vote.

The final tally was 12-0.

The Sullivan Canyon Preservation Assoc. (SCPA) maintains Sullivan Canyon’s open space.

Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...