By Lookout Staff

August 19, 2026 -- A pioneering structure in the Pico Neighborhood will be the subject of the Santa Monica Conservancy's first "Sidewalk Talks," a series to build awareness of structures that are worthy of being preserved.

A 15-minute presentation will be made on Tuesday September 1 on the sidewalk in front of the Unfried House, a 1913 Airplane Bungalow at 1921 20th Street that was recently nominated by the Conservancy for landmark designation.

"After the short presentation and a chance to view the resource in person, the group will walk together to a no-host lunch or snack," Conservancy officials said.

The talk will take place at noon, followed by a visit to Lazy Daisy at 2300 Pico Boulevard, and again at 6 p.m., followed by a visit to the Daily Pint at 2310 Pico Boulevard.

The Sidewalk Talks "highlight the architecture and the historical narratives that motivated the Conservancy to nominate the structure as a local landmark," Conservancy officials said.

The talk takes place two weeks before Santa Monica Landmarks Commission is scheduled to hold a Landmarks Designation Hearing for the Unfried House at its meeting September 14.

The Unfried House is "an excellent, remarkably intact example of a Craftsman-style Airplane Bungalow and holds historical significance as a pioneering structure in the southeast section of the Pico neighborhood," officials said.

The house was home to Simon and Anna Unfried, who later built Unfried Hall, the area’s first commercial building, featuring four ground-floor shops and a banquet hall, according to the conservancy.

"Unfried Hall was forced to close as an unintended consequence of a racially motivated city ordinance that barred dancing in most parts of the city."

The talk offers "a unique opportunity to learn about the Pico Neighborhood’s early development and the landmark designation process," officials said.

"Sidewalk Talks bring our members into the inner workings of advocacy and inspire them to stand with us in support of special places with important stories worth preserving," Conservancy officials said.

For more information, visit www.smconservancy.org