HPC Denies Historic Status for Tower Records

Heeding the recommendation of city staff, the West Hollywood Historic Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday evening to deny the application of author Domenic Priore to designate the former location of Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard a local cultural resource.

Tower Records opened its doors in 1971 and was known for frequent in-store performances by notable musical acts such as Elton John and Prince, and recognizable for its iconic red and yellow signage.

While the memories of the musicians who performed, shopped and debuted albums at Tower may endure, the removal of the red and yellow signs following the store's closure in 2006 was likely what sank the effort to preserve it as a cultural monument.

Wehoville reports:

The commission recognized the cultural and social significance of the site, however, that’s only one of two conditions that must be met for designation, according to the city’s code. The second condition is that buildings possess “architectural integrity” and retain “integrity of design, location, materials, setting, workmanship, feelings and association.” In other words, the building must still look like it did when those culturally significant events happened there.

Jerome Cleary, a West Hollywood resident who assisted Priore in the application to preserve Tower Records, said their fight was not over.

"I think the HPC missed the boat on not historically preserving the Tower Records store," Cleary said. "Yes, there will be an appeal."