One Response to “CdM Loses Mural on John Blom Photography Building; New Owner Promises Upgrades that Will “Stop Traffic””
Comments
May 17th, 2012
The living wall sounds great. It will be nice to see the plants.
CdM Loses Mural on John Blom Photography Building; New Owner Promises Upgrades that Will “Stop Traffic”
posted: May 16th, 2012 04:48 am |
1Comment
The new owner of the John Blom photography studio building at 3732 East Coast Highway has painted over a mural on side of the structure and plans to add a “living wall,” or a green wall that will be covered in succulents that create a design.
The mural had depicted pelican’s holding waving pictures of seascapes and a church, floating in a blue, cloud-filled sky. Blom said he returned from vacation to see the mural was gone, but he said it was the new owner’s right.
“It was good while it lasted,” he said. Blom recently sold the building and is closing his studio, but he’ll continue to work with clients on locations; read our story here.
Bryan Siegel, 55, of Newport Coast, bought the building and has already begun making changes, he said in a telephone interview this week.
“The transformation will be beautiful,” he said. “I want it to be very special. It’ll have shimmering lights, an atrium with a water feature…You’ll take a second look. It’ll be just quaint.” The front of the building will have a brick facade with arched windows, he said.
The building will be divided into space for two businesses, one of which could be a high-end dessert business that is currently in negotiations for a lease.
“I’ve had a lot of inquiries,” he said.
Siegel said he sees Corona del Mar as a “diamond in the rough” with many commercial buildings that need updating. With a background in fashion accessory design, he specializes now in taking commercial properties and updating them.
“I’m trying to bring new blood to Corona del Mar,” he said. “It’s going to stop traffic. It’ll be a show stopper. My goal is to put a new face on Corona del Mar. They’ll like it. Corona del Mar residents don’t want another bank.”
According to one online property search website, the property was built in 1949 includes the 3,400 square foot storefront as well as two separate apartment units on a second level.
Small demolition of a glass block wall has already begun, and major construction should begin in the next few weeks, Siegel said. The building could be finished in four to six months, he said.
