Art Deco treasure trove in San Pedro up for landmark status

Property used to house a Montgomery Ward department store

741 South Pacific Avenue
741 South Pacific Avenue

A staple in San Pedro’s monthly art walk is eyeing to become a more permanent fixture in the bustling community.

The 21,000-square-foot building at 741 South Pacific Avenue, located near the Art Deco movie theater, is being considered for Historic-Cultural Nomination status, according to a filing with the Department of City Planning.

Owners and art enthusiasts Patti Kraakevik and George Woytovich bought the property in 2002 for $775,000, deed records show. It was left vacant after the Montgomery Ward department store closed, presenting an opportunity for the new owners to transform the space into an art gallery with a live/work loft, bar, office, and retail space, the Daily Breeze previously reported.

Renamed Deco Art Deco, the 1930s building is now used to hosts events, classes and “speakeasy” cabaret, according to its website. It also doubles as a filming location.

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In addition to a huge Art Deco collection, the owners have lined the place with antiques, such as brass doors from the Westclox Factory Building in Peru, Illinois, and a vintage Wurlitzer jukebox.

It’s unclear who filed the application for landmark status.

Nearby, two developers are joining forces to build a 91-unit affordable housing development at 456 West 9th Street. LINC Housing and National CORE proposed a mixed-use development that would rise six stories and include 4,900 square feet of commercial space, a 4,000-square-foot community room and parking for 111 vehicles.