Welcome

The Landscape Element

Heritage Trees
A significant feature of the University that gives the campus its character and uniqueness is its landscape, shaped in part by heritage trees. A key component of the master plan is the retention of specimen trees wherever possible, and the enhancement of this urban forest on a continuous basis through the addition of new trees. The Heritage Tree Inventory has been updated as part of this new Campus Master Plan.

Historic Places Element

Historic Preservation
The University of La Verne is in the Lordsburg Specific Planning Area.The City of La Verne's document "Lordsburg: A Specific Plan" addresses historic preservation as it relates to this planning area. As required by this plan, the University has commissioned a campus cultural resources study to evaluate the historical significance of all buildings scheduled for removal and to recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

The University continues to preserve historic places on campus.The previous Campus Master Plan established a basis and guidelines for renovations and preservation.The map of Historically Significant Places has been updated as part of this new Campus Master Plan.

See Historic Preservation Element Map and Chart of Historic Buildings

Since the adoption of the previous master plan, the University has preserved the Lemon Packing House and adapted it into the Arts and Communications Building.The renovation received a Preservation Award from the City of La Verne. The University has transformed the old Kilo building into the Barkley Building, with its green vine-covered facade and awnings that contribute to the architectural continuity of D Street. The University extensively renovated the Hoover Building after moving the College of Law, giving this heritage building new life for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Currently, the University is making extensive renovations to the Super Tents, transforming this landmark building into the Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion.This project also involves creating the Johnson Family Plaza, which enhances the setting for the new Campus Center that will become an architecturally significant focus for the campus. The University is also extensively renovating the Hanawalt House that was damaged in a recent fire.

In addition, the University is adapting the old Baum Building to accommodate Central Services and other uses. This building, which the University currently leases, is one of the last four citrus heritage buildings remaining in La Verne. In Phase 1 of this new Campus Master Plan, Brandt Hall is designated for renovation, preserving this building that defines the character of the campus along Bonita Avenue. The University is also committed to preserving and enhancing the auditorium in the historically significant Founders Hall.The interior of the auditorium is to be renovated to display and highlight the original architectural features of the room, while bringing it up to code and modern-day standards. The architecture of an addition -- providing muchneeded rehearsal space, classrooms, practice rooms and potentially a lobby to be used in conjunction with performances -- would reflect the early California style of the existing building. However, in keeping with the Interior Department's Standards for Rehabilitation, the addition would not try to replicate the features of the existing building but rather provide a sympathetic, contextual response that clearly delineates the original structure from the new.The addition will be designed to be consistent with the Preservation Guidelines of the Lordsburg Specific Plan.

Phase 1 also proposes to replace some existing buildings that have been considered historically significant.These replacements will improve the overall quality of the campus in the future.

Phase 1 Replacements
The University is moving the functions of the Old Gym into the new Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion.The 1921 gymnasium is identified as a Heritage University building and will need full environmental evaluation before it can be demolished. Removing the Old Gym will make room for the new Campus Center and eliminate a potentially awkward juxtaposition with that new landmark building.The Old Gym is in extremely poor condition and would be prohibitively expensive to bring up to code for adaptive reuse. It currently presents a major fire hazard.

The new Campus Master Plan proposes to remove Stu-Han residence hall, making the Hoover Building more visible from the Old Town. Stu-Han is an example of Mid-century Modern style, but not an exceptional example.

Stu-Han would be very difficult to re-use because the upper floors of the four sections are not connected and thus each individual section would require an elevator to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Existing corridor widths and bathrooms also make ADA upgrades difficult, if not impossible. Because of the basic structure of the building and column spacing, it would be impossible to convert this to the type of residence halls that students currently demand at institutions of higher learning.The Hoover Building, which the University will preserve as part of this edge of the campus, is actually a better example of brick character design of the historic campus. Providing an Oak Tree canopy for the new parking lot would add to the heritage trees of the campus, a major element along C Street..

Phase 1 of the new Campus Master Plan proposes to remove the Organizational Leadership Building (OLB). This was the former La Verne Fruit Exchange, Orange and Lemon Growers Association Building. Using the site of the OLB and moving the adjacent tennis courts would make room for new student housing to replace Stu-Han. A new residence hall could provide a better presence along D Street, creating a nicer gateway to Old Town. Currently, the tennis courts have a high fence along D Street. The old Fruit Exchange Building has been modified -- a composition shingle roof replaced the red tile roof, and the open arcade was enclosed. The facade of the old Fruit Exchange could be preserved to create an arcade, entry, or meeting room for the new residence hall, preserving a reminder of this part of La Verne's history. The major reminder of the Citrus era is already preserved with the Old Lemon Packing House across the street and the Central Services Building, east of E Street.

Future Replacements
Phase 3 of the Campus Master Plan proposes to replace the chapel with a potential academic building. The Chapel does not meet current accessibility standards and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get the multi-level floor plan to conform. The roof and gluelam beams need replacement.The chapel lacks cohesion with surrounding structures and does not have a strong presence due to its diminutive scale and indistinct details. A new academic building would better define the quad to the south and contribute more to the architectural continuity of the campus along Bonita Avenue where a strong public presence is needed along this major thoroughfare.

Commitment
The University of La Verne is committed to both preserving and enhancing the architectural and landscape architectural qualities of the campus and will continue to work with the Preservation Guidelines of the Lordsburg Specific Plan. The phasing plan calls out numerous renovation and adaptive re-use projects on historic buildings throughout the campus.