For many years, neighbors have been troubled by the conditions at 673 S. Bronson. Was it occupied? Were the occupants okay? The tragic circumstances are too personal to discuss, but the future of the home at that address is almost too good to be true.

673 S. Bronson is undergoing a complete restoration, under the wise and careful guidance of its new owners and staff of City Planning, who have a complete understanding of the historic significance of the home and of Wilshire Park. The plans are to save and restore everything. Starting with a revelatory pruning, the elegant characteristics are already beginning to appear from behind decades of overgrowth.

A little history: 673 S. Bronson was built in 1923 for William J. Doran and his wife Anna, a retired couple who moved to Bronson from their home on Hobart.

His architect of choice was Joseph Jefferson (J.J.) Verplank, the son of Dutch immigrants. J.J. Verplank is shown here with his many brothers and their father (Joos, the older gentleman in the front and center) - J.J. Verplank is in the back row, second from the right. Mr. Verplank lived on Georgina in Santa Monica. Research on other buildings designed by Mr. Verplank is underway.

This house needs a great deal of work, and was in jeopardy of being an exception to Wilshire Park's HPOZ because of the extensive state of disrepair. In a conversation with the consultants who are doing the restoration, it became clear that it was more than a diamond in the rough, and well worth the expense of bringing it back to its original condition. According to the general contractor, the foundation was determined to be fully 12' deep - almost unheard of. The hardwood floors are of such fine material and workmanship, that even they could be saved. The very unique tile roof with its green copper glaze will also be restored, with custom manufactured and matched material to replace any tiles too damaged to reuse. This stands every chance of being one of the finest structures in Wilshire Park because of the new owners' appreciation for the home's irreplaceable, high quality materials.

Take a minute to walk or drive by and see what the artisans are up to, and check this site for updates on the progress of the restoration and for more research on Mr. Doran, Mr. Verplank, and the history of 673 S. Bronson. Many thanks to the new owners for their foresight and dedication, and for their appreciation for Wilshire Park.