Friedman

Defendant City of Los Angeles appeals the judgment in favor of plaintiff Leonard Friedman in an action for damages for the wrongful demolition of a building.

Facts

In October 1967 fire damaged a four-unit apartment building owned by Willie and Corinne Powell at 227-229 East Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. In November 1967 the city department of building and safety ordered the building repaired or demolished. A December 1967 title search of county records on behalf of the city showed the Powells as owners of the property. In July 1968 the city gave notice to the Powells they had until August 26 to comply with the city’s order; after that date they would forfeit the right to comply, and the city would solicit bids to demolish the building. The Powells applied to the board of building and safety commissioners for an indefinite extension of time to comply, but on November 18 the board denied the Powells’ application and requested the department of building and safety “to proceed with demolition procedures against the building.”

On November 22, in a recorded transaction the Powells sold the property to Homeside Construction Company. On November 29 Homeside, as owner, was issued a…