We continue to monitor and witness serious issues with the ongoing changes being made to the Pig’N Whistle over the last two months. As of 1/14/22 the construction continues. Our sources confirm that it appears no effort is being made by the owner to follow through with a building permit and City representatives have not received submissions they require for these kinds of changes to be made to the space. Yet the changes continue with the potential for irrevocable damage being done on this historic landmark. YOu can see images taken from a site visit to the space on 11/2/21. Please continue to speak out and let us know if you witness any additional construction.

91.104.2.4.  Authority to Stop Work.  Whenever any construction work is being done contrary to the provisions of any law or ordinance enforced by the Department, the Department shall have the authority to issue a written notice to the responsible party to stop work on that portion of the work on which the violation has occurred.  The notice shall state the nature of the violation and no work shall be done on that portion until the violation has been rectified and approval obtained from the Department.  (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)

91.104.2.5.  Authority to Stop Use or Occupancy.  Whenever any portion of a building is loaded in excess of the loading for which it was constructed, or whenever it houses an occupancy other than that for which it was constructed, or whenever there is an encroachment upon any required court or yard, the department shall have the authority to order by written notice that such violation be discontinued.

The written notice shall state the nature of the violations and shall fix a time for the abatement thereof. If the violations have not been abated by the expiration of the fixed time, the Certificate of Occupancy shall thereupon be canceled.

91.106.4.5.  Permits for Historical and Cultural Buildings.  The department shall not issue a permit to demolish, alter or remove a building or structure of historical, archaeological or architectural consequence if such building or structure has been officially designated, or has been determined by state or federal action to be eligible for designation, on the National Register of Historic Places, or has been included on the City of Los Angeles list of historic cultural monuments, without the department having first determined whether the demolition, alteration or removal may result in the loss of or serious damage to a significant historical or cultural asset.  If the department determines that such loss or damage may occur, the applicant shall file an application and pay all fees for the California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study and Check List, as specified in Section 19.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. If the Initial Study and Check List identifies the historical or cultural asset as significant, the permit shall not be issued without the department first finding that specific economic, social or other considerations make infeasible the preservation of the building or structure

UPDATE ON THE CHANGES TO THE PIG’N WHISTLE

After 22 years, the Pig ‘n Whistle at 6714 Hollywood Blvd quietly closed its doors during the pandemic, planning to reemerge as a Latin restaurant and nightclub. However, eyes on the street discovered that something major was going on inside this venerable historic building. Hollywood Heritage first learned about the construction work in late June 2021. We started a conversation with the Office of Historic Resources for the City of Los Angeles because we didn’t see any permits on file with the Department of Building and Safety. After their investigation, the city determined that no permits for renovation had been filed and that the Office of Historic Resources had not been consulted.

What permits are normally needed?  To perform construction and demolition work of the magnitude that was planned, permits are required. The building is a designated contributor to the National Register Historic District on Hollywood Boulevard, and its large marquee extends over the Walk of Fame—a Los Angeles City landmark. Therefore, plans must be reviewed by the Office of Historic Resources to make sure that they comply with ”Secretary of the Interior Standards”  governing changes to historic buildings.

Wasn’t the Pig n Whistle carefully rehabilitated and restored?  Yes. It should be noted that the Pig ‘n Whistle Restaurant that most recently occupied the space was not the original restaurant designed by Master Architects Morgan, Walls, and Clements and that first opened in 1927 and operated until 1946. The interior was remodeled over the years. But in 2001 Chris Breed of Sunset Entertainment Group restored and reconstructed the ambiance and many character-defining features of the interior and exterior,  brought back the Pig ‘n Whistle name,  and opened a new restaurant-bar in the historic space. He reproduced the iconic Pig ‘n Whistle sign on the marquee, kept the Chiruggieresque intricate carved Spanish wood ceiling, restored the plaster upper walls, put in a long counter similar to the original, and created an ambiance inspired by the old fashioned British pubs of his native country.

What happened in June?  When the Office of Historic Resources first heard about the demolition of the interior of the restaurant, there was some confusion about the ownership of the property. There was a belief that it was part of the new Netflix rehabilitation of the Egyptian Theatre property and was therefore permitted under that project. Later, it was confirmed that although the properties share a wall and had been painted in a matching color scheme, the building that housed the former Pig ‘n Whistle Restaurant, now a restaurant Mr. Tempo by Jorge Cueva, is and always has been on a separate lot, under separate ownership, and is NOT owned by Netflix.  

What happened in October?  Hollywood Heritage was alerted that work was continuing and that the iconic marquee and facade Pig n Whistle signs might be coming down. On October 20 we filed a formal complaint with the City, after visiting the site, photographing the construction work in progress, and the sign while it was still intact. Unfortunately, the complaint was cleared. We filed it again, and by the time official action was taken, workers had already stood on the marquee dismantling the sign. In addition the important Myron Hunt street-front cast stone façade was painted over in white.  Where authentic reliefs of pigs playing whistles had once made the building iconic, those were covered in foam and painted with skulls.  

Hollywood Heritage consulted with the Council Office, the Los Angeles Building Department, and the Office of Historic Resources, and a stop-work order was issued to owner Alan Hajjar of Sunset Entertainment Group (SEG), the last contact in City records. SEG is the same entity that had previously done the careful restoration.

Lights, camera, action:  On November 3rd Craig Bullock, Planning Director for Council District 13, and Lambert Giessinger, Historic Preservation Architect for the Office of Historic Resources, toured the property with Alan Hajjar.  The Office of Historic Resources asked that Mr. Hajjar provide an Assessment of the work completed as a part of the 2001 restoration and rehabilitation, plus a summary of the construction work done in 2021.

In the interim, historic and recent photographs were reviewed. These clarify the changes to the character-defining features made to both the interior and exterior. The City also determined that the 2021 plumbing, mechanical and electric upgrades require normal permits. Additionally, restaurants normally require Health Department permits to operate; the marquee changes over the Walk of Fame trigger review, and exterior changes and installation of new signage require separate permits and review by the Office of Historic Resources.

Progress and expectations: Buildings in historic districts do change with the times. There are good and well-established rules nationwide that enable change to happen while property owners retain the elements that give iconic landmarks their character. 

At this time Hollywood Heritage continues to monitor the situation. It is our understanding that the required Assessment has not been completed, the signage has not been repaired nor agreed upon.  We hope for the following:

• The return of salvaged neon signage, reportedly obtained by the Valley Relics Museum.

• During the discussions, Mr. Hajjar mentioned his original intention to have a small museum of Pig ‘n Whistle artifacts and memorabilia remain in the space.

• We await the Assessment for both the interior and exterior, showing proposed treatments for the return of character. Hollywood Heritage continues to work with the Office of Historic Resources, CD13, and the property management to ensure this site is preserved and respected.

We will update you as more details arise.

Pig n Whistle Flow of History: The original Pig ‘n Whistle opened at the site in July 1927 replacing a business called Egyptian Toggery. Its owner John F. Gage had hired the architectural firm of Morgan, Walls, & Clements in 1926 to redesign the 6714 Hollywood Blvd. building. The architects created a Spanish Churrigueresque-inspired façade, and new interiors by Richard Sobieraj. The Los Angeles Times wrote on July 17, 1927, that the new store cost $225,000 and featured “carved oak rafters, imported tiles, artistically wrought grilles and balcony, and great paneled fresco paintings from “Don Quixote”….Gladding, McBean & Company provided the luscious decorative tile, Barker Bros. provided draperies, carpets, and china, and James C. Cubic provided elegant wrought iron.”

The restaurant closed in 1946 and its furnishings were sold to a new Italian restaurant going in around the corner on Las Palmas. One can eat at the original Pig ‘n Whistle booths in Miceli’s Italian Restaurant to this day! 

The location changed owners and uses in the following decades included Masters Mart, Cheap Feet, and Pizzeria Uno. In 1999 Chris Breed, a British restauranteur, revived our lost Pig ‘n Whistle, whose brand by then was gone - rehabilitating the interior and restoring the elements which remained, such as the elaborate ceiling, marquee, and remaining tile. He also reconstructed the historic neon signage, bringing a storied venue back to Hollywood Boulevard to great acclaim.

Brian Curran

President, Hollywood Heritage