The landmark Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale has been under construction and is looking to be a beautiful building by the time they are done. The original 1904 mansion of city father Leslie C. Brand became the city’s public library in 1956 and was later expanded to include art space. The renovations are taking place in an act to restore the original feel of the Brand household and embrace the history in Glendale.
The renovations and restorations of the building started in July 2012, and since then they have beautiful changes. They restored original hand-painted Victorian stencil work that was covered up by popcorn ceilings for more than half a century. Mahogany and oak doors that were once hidden within the walls have been exposed and are now used to separate rooms. A stone fireplace that was broken to make room for bookshelves has returned to the parlor and the wood floors are being converted back to hardwood.
Library staff hope that this “living museum” will be a destination for tourists, and eventually be complete with audio headsets and a smartphone app for tourist to take a self-guided tour. The 5,000 square foot library and 21,000 square foot art center are expected to be completed by the end of the year and open up to the public again in spring 2014. This will be a huge benefit to Glendale’s history and campaign to keep reading and the arts alive.
