Restoration of a Local Neutra Masterwork

The Mariner’s Medical Arts complex in Newport Beach was completed by master architect Richard Neutra in 1963. Like me, Neutra knew he wanted to be an architect at age 8! Upon his passing in 1970, Neutra, who was the first Dean of the School of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona, was acclaimed “one of the world’s most influential modern architects” by the New York Times. Neutra emigrated from Austria in 1923, worked briefly for Frank Lloyd Wright, then made his way to Los Angeles joining his school friend, Rudolf Schindler. He was moved by the open spaces of California, the perfect climate and openness of lifestyle which influenced his work.

For Mariner’s, Neutra was far ahead of his time. The building, designed for doctors, is focused on wellness with gardens and water features to calm patients before their procedures.  Ample windows take in the California sun, though carefully controlled through overhangs and louvers. The complex was designed for disabled access nearly 30 years before ADA.

Over the years, a lack of maintenance, modifications, inadequate repairs and a roof that was simply patched over took its toll on the building. In 2009, an entity bought the complex and prepared plans submitted to the City to tear down half the building and add a 3-story medical “box” similar to an adjacent building. I was a part of a team of architects who successfully campaigned against the building’s demolition. It is likely among Neutra’s masterworks.

The building continued operation but the lack of maintenance continued until the complex was purchased by Burnham Ward Properties in 2021. Working with restoration architect, Shubin Donaldson, the recently completed renovation is breathtaking!

AIA Orange County hosted a celebratory tour of the complex where the owner and architect detailed the decision-making process, its trials and successes during which doctors continued in operation and through unprecedented winter storms.

The work included adjustments to Neutra’s disabled accessibility design to meet current code requirements, modifying the water gardens (which had disappeared over the years), enhancing pedestrian safety, restoring metal that in many cases had deteriorated to nothing, improving lighting, and restoring skylights and doctor’s patios. The original drainage system has always had problems with water encroachment into offices during winter storms. The team completely rebuilt the drainage which required removal of original trees; one tree was saved and relocated to the rear parking lot.

The team worked closely with the City of Newport Beach – the complex is not listed on any historic register at this point, but the owners are discussing that. Walking through the complex, one can see how Neutra was influenced by the Hollywood film industry because it feels like walking through frames in a movie – where each shot was carefully directed.

I played a small part in saving this building and it was a thrill to see both the genius of Neutra and the accomplishments of the restoration team. If you haven’t seen it, Mariner’s is located at 1901 Westcliff Drive on the other side of Newport Bay from the WHA office. A visit to the original Neutra Garden Grove Community Church (now Christ Cathedral complex) is another great example of an original complex and its restoration work.