San Diego Architectural Foundation

Cecil and Virginia Roper Residence by Loch Crane (ca. 1964), a.k.a. 'Cape May Modern'.

Two and a half years after submitting an application for historic designation, Greg Strangman’s home in Ocean Beach (above) was granted the rarified status. The two-year process is dramatically longer today than in years past. As the City of San Diego cuts resources, the citizenry must deal with such delays. The good news is, with Greg’s help, we are crafting an owner’s guide (through this series of posts) to designating a home. Read more »

Among the myriad ways to discuss, categorize, appreciate and value architecture is understanding our region’s historic sites inventory. As the number and caliber of decades-old residential, institutional and commercial buildings can decrease through remodeling and demolition, the number can also increase as the citizenry push local officials to designate local treasures as historic.

We recently sat down with local real estate developer Greg Strangman of L.W.P. Group to discuss his 5th historic building – in this case the designation of his own home, the Cecil and Virginia Roper Residence by Loch Crane (ca. 1964). The seaside getaway of lava rock, wood and glass remains intact while other similar designs by former (pre-WW2) Taliesin Fellow Crane of the same era have gone nearly extinct.
   
As an architecture enthusiast, and one who has built a career out of redeveloping San Diego’s historic fabric, Strangman pursued protection of his home for two reasons: to protect the home whenever it transfers ownership, and to take advantage of healthy property tax savings. Following historic designation, with Mills Act protection, a homeowner can enjoy tax savings up to 70%. Read more »