Seven Arts Shop

The Seven Arts Shop, is a one-story, wood-frame Tudor Storybook retail shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It was designed by Edward G. Kuster and built by Michael J. Murphy in 1923 for Herbert Heron. The building served as the reading room for the Christian Science organization and the Robert Talbot Tie Shop. It has been designated as a significant commercial building in the city's Downtown Historic District Property Survey, and was recorded with the Department of Parks and Recreation on January 23, 2002.

History


The Seven Arts Shop is a one-story, cement stucco, wood-frame Tudor Revival Storybook retail shop. It has a steep pitched side-gabled roof, circular turrets, a chimney, colorful tiles placed in the stucco above the windows, and a front Dutch door. The building is in front of the Court of the Golden Bough on Ocean Avenue and Monte Verde Street, and next to the Carmel Weavers Studio, also known as Cottage of Sweets. It was designed by theatrical producer Edward G. Kuster. Kuster's design is based on inspiration from illustrations of Swedish folk tales of Edmund Dulac. He commissioned Michael J. Murphy to build in September 1923.

Originally, the shop was constructed as "The Seven Arts" book and art store for Helena Conger and Herbert Heron. Ads appeared for books, artwork, typewriters, ornamental iron works and lamp fixtures were produced by the Santa Cruz artist, “Otar the Lampmaker." In September 1925, The Seven Arts store moved to the Seven Arts Building on Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Street. The Seven Arts Shop became the Christian Science reading room in 1936, and then Robert Talbot Ties in 1987.

The building qualifies for inclusion in the Downtown Historic District Property Survey because it is one of the early commercial "Old Europe" shops in the Golden Bough Court, designed and funded by theatrical producer and lawyer Edward G. Kuster, and built to complement the Theatre of the Golden Bough. It continues to contribute to the character of the downtown historic district.