El Presidio Property

Scope Note: Site of El Presidio Property – Presidio Avenue, the short passage that exits off East De la Guerra Street, divides El Presidio Property. “El Presidio,” the 1946 to 1960 commercial development across from El Paseo. Wilhelm, or William, Zimdin, an international financier, entrepreneur, and industrialist extraordinaire, who immigrated to the United States in 1939, spared no expense in the development of ”El Presidio.” He worked closely with his business partner and personal secretary, Dezso, or Dennis Geoffrey Karzag, and local architect Joseph J. Plunkett. The trio visualized a Master Plan in two sections separated by Presidio Avenue: an open air dining terrace, wedding chapel, and office spaces facing Anacapa Street; and a courtyard, or Plaza, surrounded by boutiques on the northerly side of Presidio Avenue.

— from La Campana, Winter 2016

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: