CVS Pharmacy on Swarthmore Avenue will soon have a new look inspired by the existing Clearwater mural, located on the back of the building, that depicts life in Pre-Columbian Pacific Palisades. ‘I was told the mural [created in 1999 by Palisades resident Terri Bromberg] was sacred and highly prized by the community,’ said architect Todd Conversano, whom CVS hired for the store’s exterior redesign. Therefore, Conversano decided to paint the remainder of the building blue to complement the sky colors of the mural (which faces Sunset Boulevard) and to add white stripes as abstractions of the white clouds. Bromberg will extend the lower mountain range and the clouds of the mural around the building to the Swarthmore Avenue side. The Pacific Palisades Community Council first urged CVS to remodel the building in January 2007 after hearing complaints from residents about the look and general upkeep of the store. CVS began leasing the building from American Legion Post 283 in late 2006. Prior to that, Sav-on occupied the space. Since then, ‘We have worked with the community on renovation options that would be good for the community and for us from a branding standpoint,’ said Steve Mathers, CVS architecture and engineering special projects manager. On March 11, the L.A. Department of City Planning approved CVS’s plans; the decision can be appealed until March 26. In January, the Design Review Board, which oversees the architectural plans and outward appearance of all commercial buildings in Pacific Palisades, gave its OK. The Clearwater mural will be touched up, and the outline of the former Sav-on sign, which is currently visible, removed, Conversano said. The existing stone detail on the Swarthmore side will be incorporated into the lower mountain range of the mural, and any cracked or deteriorated stones replaced. Conversano has also envisioned removing the false mansard roof on the south side of the building facing the parking lot to make the building look more attractive. ‘It’s ugly, and it was an addition to the original building,’ Conversano said. ‘The building is modern and has simple lines and nice edges.’ The CVS sign, currently on the mansard roof, will be reinstalled above the entrance. To improve the entryway, the red vinyl panels will be removed from the store’s windows and a slatted wood fence will conceal the trashcans and newspaper stands from view of the parking lot. For the rooftop parking lot, horizontal wooden slats will conceal the concrete parapet wall. Additionally, a nylon screen will wrap around the existing chain-link fence to hide the mechanical equipment stored in the northeast corner. ‘I had to make simple moves because of the budget,’ Conversano said. The estimated cost for the renovation is $200,000. Stuart Muller, a Council member who has worked closely with CVS on the remodel, said he is pleased with the plans. However, on the Swarthmore side of the building, he would like the transition from the clouds of the mural to the solid white line modified. ‘We would like to make the area much softer,’ Muller said. Conversano said that he plans to soften the left edge of the white stripe, so it disappears into the clouds. CVS still needs permits from the L.A. Department of Building and Safety, which Mathers expects will take a month to three months. He hopes to begin construction in early summer, adding that store hours should not be affected.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
