6 Questions for a San Marino Local: Marla Felber

Friends of the board member, Marla Felber first became involved with the historic structure in 2007 when a structural engineer asked for her professional opinion.

“An engineer that I had a longstanding professional relationship with named Melvin Green and Associates was performing a study on the building,” said Felber. “He asked me to go to a meeting and just listen in. From that point on, I’ve continued to be involved.”

Felber, who has a background in historical preservation, has always felt connected to old buildings. She was drawn to the Michael White Adobe because the building was removed from its historical context and surrounded by sports facilities.

The San Gabriel resident is currently working on the historic structure’s feasibility study.

“Next, we are going to shore the corner of the building,” said Felber. “We are working with Roy Tolles, a San Marino High School graduate, who is an adobe specialist in Piedmont and the pro-bono structural engineer for the project.”

The Friends of the Michael White Adobe have applied for a third grant with the Los Angeles Preservation Foundation. If the organization receives the grant, they will have to fundraise for matching funds.

Felber, who is the principal of FK Design Group, is a designer who specializes in the restoration and reuse of the historic buildings.

“The work I do on the Adobe is something I make time for, it’s how I give back to the community,” said Felber. “It’s not linear in the amount of hours one spends. But I do have my own business I run as well and kids.”

Felber took time out of her busy schedule to take on the San Marino Six.

What do you like most about San Marino?

What I like most about San Marino is that the people care about the community, they care about their neighbors and they care about their families. I am a native Californian. I grew up in Sherman Oaks so these are values that I grew up with. I think these are good values for children to continue to have.

What is your favorite restaurant in San Marino?

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What is your favorite place in San Marino to take a stroll or go for a run?

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What is a little known fact about you?

I collect antique door hardware and antique hardware. Someone once told me, ‘Your door hardware is like your first handshake meeting someone.’ That’s true if you think about it. You want it to have a certain feel. 

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Anything chocolate.

What would you like the residents of San Marino to know about the Michael White Adobe?

I think people need to realize they have a really great asset in San Marino that’s really quite special. The opportunities and philanthropy for that building cannot only influence the school kids but the community at large. That building was there before California was a state. That’s pretty amazing to think of that. You don’t have a lot of that in California and it’s accessible as well.