About Us

Whitestone represents a unique intersection of American cultural history, bridging the pre-war elegance and mystique of the East Coast with the rugged, mid-century optimism of Southern California. The name pays homage to the historic Beechhurst enclave of Whitestone, Queens—a legendary 1920s haven where the lines between illusion and reality blurred. It was here that master escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini gathered with fellow magicians, and where Golden Age cinema icons like Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Rudolph Valentino built grand, Tudor-style retreats away from the studio cameras. This project draws a direct historical line from that classic, independent New York artistic spirit to the post-war boom of the Pacific coast. It is inspired by the timeless, everyday architecture that defined the mid-century landscape—from the neon-lit storefronts and roadside design of local commercial strips to the evolving suburban street grids and tract housing that welcomed home a generation of World War II veterans. Whitestone is dedicated to exploring, documenting, and preserving these distinct eras of urban design, architecture, and community character, celebrating the enduring physical spaces that shape our shared heritage.