As firefighters make some progress in the battle against a series of devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the numbers thus far are jarring: At least 24 people have been killed, more than 20,000 acres of land has been scorched; and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes, museums, much-loved eateries, places of worship, and schools.
While human lives remain the top priority, we’re also starting to learn more about the memorable places we’ve lost. The Palisades and Eaton infernos have decimated more than 30 historic architectural structures in what preservationists are saying is the single worst loss of properties in the L.A.’s history.
This includes historic buildings like Altadena’s Zane Grey Estate and Will Rogers’ western-style Palisades home, which had formal landmark status on the National Register of Historic Places. Then there are places like Fox’s Restaurant in Altadena and Theatre Palisades, which were considered beloved community spaces. As the accounting continues, here’s what we know so far.
The Robert Bridges House in the Pacific Palisades
Sunset Boulevard House, also known as The Bridges House by architect Robert Bridges, was destroyed by the Palisades fire on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Pacific Palisades.
This beloved Sunset Boulevard House, also known as the Bridges House, was also one of the casualties of the wildfires, the Los Angeles Conservancy confirmed on Facebook. The house, designed and built by the architect Robert Bridges as his own residence, was a famed part of the scenery on the iconic Sunset Boulevard route, a two-story, redwood-clad home that appeared to hover dangerously 100 feet above the road, seemingly defying gravity whilst perched upon enormous concrete stilts.
The physical gymnastics required to build such a house were as daring as one might expect, and six years in the making. Bridges bought the steep site for just $40,000 in 1979. Because of limited funds, the project was just Bridges, a crane, and three other men, “It’s a thrill,” Bridges told the New York Times. “But it’s incredibly risky. We were constantly hanging off the side, doing feats of daring and stupidity.”
The house, which Bridges moved into with his wife and three sons in 1991, was designed in the Brutalist style, with exposed concrete ceilings and custom furniture.
Andrew McNally House in Altadena
The Andrew McNally House, a historical landmark, burns during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025.
The Andrew McNally House, designed by Frederick Roehrig, has tragically reportedly burned. The nine-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian mansion, built in 1887 by printing magnate Andrew NcNally, was a masterpiece of its time. Most notable was the Turkish Room, located in the home’s tower, which was inspired by the 1893 World’s Fair. It was adorned with vibrant textiles and intricate patterns (including its original hand-painted silk ceiling) inspired by Ottoman design and was considered a treasure of historic American architecture.
The house was sold a few years ago for $3 million. It had been meticulously restored, with all 24 of its gas lamps and ornate steam radiators in working order before it was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
Ray Kappe’s Keeler House in the Pacific Palisades
Ray Kappe was one of the founders of SCI-Arc, or Southern California Institute of Architecture, a progressive school of architecture. His 1991 Keeler House—also known as the Keeler Residence is considered one of Kappe’s finest works and a prime example of California modernist design.
The striking treehouse-like structure, set on a wooded parcel spanning less than a quarter-acre of land, was celebrated for its innovative design and harmonious integration with nature. Inside, four bedrooms and three bathrooms were situated across about 4,100 square feet of space that dramatically hovered off the side of a steep hill with canyon and ocean vistas.
Anne Keeler, the home’s original and current owner, told the New York Times that a neighbor confirmed that it had burned down.
The Zane Grey Estate in Altadena
The historic Zane Grey Estate, acclaimed as Altadena’s first fireproof home, has tragically been destroyed by the Eaton Fire. The Mediterranean Revival-style house was built in 1907 by Chicago business magnate Arthur Herbert Woodward and designed by architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey. It was built entirely of reinforced concrete, a design requested by Woodward’s wife, Edith Norton Woodward, who was a survivor of the Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903 in Chicago.
In 1920, Woodward sold the estate to Zane Grey, a best-selling novelist who subsequently expanded the residence, adding a 3,500-square-foot library and office where he did most of his writing. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Scripps Hall in Altadena
Scripps Hall, also known as the Pasadena Waldorf School, was also destroyed. Built in 1904 by William Armiger Scripps and designed by architect Charles W. Buchanan, the three-story American Craftsman home was a living testament to Altadena’s early 20th-century development during its “Millionaire’s Row” era.
The property was eventually passed down to Scripp’s grandson. In 1979, the property was threatened with demolition. The Altadena Heritage Association stepped in to facilitate the sale of the home, rescuing it from the wrecking ball. It was later sold to the Pasadena Waldorf School. In 1999, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance and deep ties to the Scripps family legacy.
Will Rogers Ranch Home
The historic home of Cherokee humorist, actor, and humanitarian Will Rogers burned to the ground as fires swept through the Pacific Palisades area on Jan. 8. The sprawling 359-acre property featured a 31-room ranch house that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. It also had guest accommodations, stables, corrals, a golf course, and riding trails. The property had served as a living museum dedicated to the memory of the legendary actor since 1944, when Rogers’ widow, Betty, donated it to the state.
«California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,» California State Parks director Armando Quintero confirmed in an official statement.
While the fire destroyed both Will Rogers State Historic Park and parts of Topanga State Park, park employees were able to save some “cultural and historic artifacts,” Quintero added, including artwork from the Rogers estate, and the horses housed on the property.
The Topanga Ranch Motel
The Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by Williams Randolph Hearst, was also destroyed by fire on Wednesday.
The Topanga Ranch Motel, built and owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst (ELLE DECOR is part of the Hearst Corporation) in 1929, was also destroyed. The historic 1929 motel, located across from Topanga Beach in Malibu, was one of the last surviving examples of an early bungalow-style motel in California, according to Topanga Historical Society archivist Pablo Capra.
The 30-room establishment initially housed Pacific Coast Highway construction workers before it provided an inexpensive seaside holiday spot for families and soloists alike. In 2001, the motel was acquired by the state. Restoration plans were underway.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Rachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publication’s feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.
