Could former Sunset site be named to the National Register of Historic Places?
Emails City Council member Betsy Nash today:
“The builder’s remedy project proposed for 80 Willow Road (former Sunset site) has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
- Sunset Headquarters is a 1951 office building designed by Cliff May in the California Ranch architectural style, situated on an approximately seven-acre parcel in the city of Menlo Park. Associated with Sunset Magazine, a longstanding publication managed by the Lane publishing family that greatly influenced public perception of the West, the building is a prominent example of May’s application of the California Ranch architectural style to a commercial office building. The landscape designed by Thomas Dolliver Church includes the Sunset Garden consisting of a series of climate zones showcasing plants of the American West.
“The State Historical Resources Commission is scheduled to consider this nomination on February 7, 2025.”
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Julie December 21, 2024 at 6:29 pm
Best news ever! The building needs to be treated with respect, especially for long time locals who care about our history.
Pixie couch December 21, 2024 at 7:15 pm
The builders remedy project is NOT proposed for NationalRegistry. The Sunset cite is. This article is very confusing. If the Sunset cite is accepted, will that protect it from the builders remedy project??
Menlo Park Resident December 22, 2024 at 12:45 pm
The State Historical Resources Commission hearing is strictly about whether historic criteria are met for listing. People trying to make it about proposed development should know that the Commission cannot consider social, economic, or environmental matters. The review is strictly about historic criteria. If a property is listed, its historic nature is considered during a proposed development’s review. In the case of 80 Willow, however, the owner has already had an architectural historian prepare a report it submitted with its development proposal, conceding that the property is historically significant for its associations with architect Cliff May, landscape designer Thomas Church, and as a unique commercial example of the Ranch House Style. That public report also noted that Sunset Magazine has made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of California and the United States. Those are the same considerations the Commission will consider for listing. For those familiar with development proposals, we know it’s a long process that includes consideration of traffic, parking, sewage, etc. impacts. The historic nature of the property will no doubt be another, in due course.
James Ebert December 22, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Years ago, the staff was extremely kind to give us a tour of the building, adn the gardens in back. It was truly a “Disneyland” experience for us Cliff May and Sunset Magazine fans. Let me know what I can do, from Los Angeles.