It looks like Producer Joel Silver has signed a contract to enter escrow and is waiting for the appropriate official at the USPS to countersign for the historic (1939) Venice Post Office at 1601 Main Street. No word on the sale price, but bids were expected to be higher than 7.5 million. Postal service will move to 313 Grand on Saturday, June 16th.
Silver told the Venice Neighborhood Council that if he were able to purchase the building he would keep the facade and artist Edward Biberman’s “Story of Venice” mural, but convert it to offices for his production company and add a screening room.
From The Venice Stakeholders Association:
The Venice Stakeholders Association (VSA) has just been informed by producer Joel Silver that he has been chosen by the United State Postal Service as the finalist to purchase the historic Venice Main Post Office.
In a conversation with VSA president Mark Ryavec, Mr. Silver re-affirmed his commitment to the VSA and other Venice organizations to negotiate a binding covenant that would be attached to the property’s deed that will bind Silver and all successors to preserve the building and the “Story of Venice” mural in its historic condition and guaranteeing public access to the building’s foyer and the mural.
“While we are disappointed that the Postal Service has deserted this wonderful building,” VSA president Mark Ryavec said, “we are encouraged by Joel’s demonstrated commitment to historic preservation and his offer to conclude a substantive covenant with the Los Angeles Conservancy and the VSA.”
In support of that goal, the VSA’s attorney has prepared a draft covenant, which has been forwarded to Mr. Silver and the Conservancy for consideration.
