Group seeks to preserve Las Vegas architecture

Friday, May 19, 2006 | 7:24 a.m.

We've seen the Strip's 1950s architecture destroyed. The Neon Museum scrambles to save its signs while preservationists remind us of what we've already lost.

Now it's time to look at our homes, churches, businesses and neighborhoods, says a group of advocates seeking to form a local Modern Committee molded after the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern group.

Mary Margaret Stratton has formed an online community for fans of midcentury Modernism and is spearheading the Las Vegas effort, called Atomic Age Alliance. Its goal is to identify local postwar architecture and educate the general public on its historic and aesthetic value.

She has photographed and cataloged local neighborhoods that she says are filled with midcentury homes, including those built by famed Modern residential architects Dan Palmer and William Krisel.

"The city has already lost important structures," says Stratton, who was part of the Los Angeles Modern Committee. "The critical point has passed. We're on life-support."

Stratton has purchased a few midcentury homes since moving to Las Vegas in September, and she is restoring them. One such renovation was taped recently by PBS' "This Old House" and will air this fall.

Also involved is Lynn Zook, a member of the L.A. Conservancy's Modern Committee and managing director of Classic Las Vegas Archives.

Zook, who grew up in Las Vegas, calls the neglect of midcentury homes and businesses "heartbreaking." She attributes the slow Modern preservation movement in Las Vegas to the city being a "major-league boomtown."

"The town is only 100 years old and that helps to make people think it's disposable."

Advocating preservation of a 50-year-old building, rather than a 300-year-old building, is always a little more challenging, Zook says, especially with new residents, most of whom are from cities that have 200-plus years of architectural history.

Zook identifies Trinity Life Center on East St. Louis Avenue and Las Vegas Country Club's clubhouse as two important structures. And, she says, "If you head east on Alta toward downtown, you cut through a little pocket of '50s architecture."

The local group is still in its formative stages and is looking for volunteers.

More information can be found at www.lottaliving.com and typing "Atomic Age Alliance" in its search field .

New gallery

Sadie Stern plans to fill the very big shoes left behind by the Contemporary Arts Collective when it moves at the end of the month to the Holsum Lofts.

Stern will open a commercial gallery in the space left behind at the Arts Factory, on the 100 block of East Charleston Boulevard. Stern operates TAO in the space next to the arts collective, as well as her father's gallery on the second floor of the Arts Factory. Stern says she plans to showcase artists whose work will appeal to a broad audience.

Early Las Vegas

The discussion will take place at the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society at 700 Twin Lakes Drive at Lorenzi Park. The panel will include Ed Von Tobel, Donna and Gail Andress, Emmett Sullivan, Mary Cashman and George Foley Sr.

The event is free. For information, call 486-5202. Maryland Corridor

Otto's Malt Shop, across from UNLV at 4440 Maryland Parkway, will host the Maryland Corridor Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature local bands, dance troupes, art and palm readers. For information, call 796-6886.