Howard Leslie Anderson

As a young boy, Howard Anderson grew up as many kids had, engaged in creating structures with blocks and erector sets, as well as building models. His visiting construction sites with his father and learning how to use tools at a young age forged his consideration of a career in architecture after graduating from Helix High School in 1961.

During his time at USC (between 1961-66) his wife joined him after securing a campus job. With her staff job, Howard’s tuition was discounted and he was able to continue with his studies. The architecture school’s faculty at the time included Pierre Koenig, Randall Maxison and Alfred Caldwell (Mies Ven Der Rohe’s landscape architect at ITT) among others. Howard was selected to be one of only two students for an intern program at the California Office of Architecture and Construction in Los Angeles. From this experience he left with no interest in working at a large firm or within a government bureaucracy.

In May 1966, Howard returned to San Diego. He interviewed with Hester & Jones before leaving on his ‘grand tour’ of European to visit architecture – including the Acropolis, The Vigelend Park in Oslo, and Le Corbusier’s Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp. Upon his return that Fall, Henry Hester had split with Robert E. Jones and the former did not have any work for him. Jones, on the other hand was busy. Working with his partner Ed Hom, the office was brimming with projects including the Stroll House, patio homes in San Juan Capistrano as well as a design competition in Vienna. Shortly after joining the office, they secured housing projects in both Westlake Village and Laguna Niguel. As the Casas Capistrano (1965-66) were honored with awards – the Patio Homes had zero setbacks built on the lot lines – Anderson became a partner in Jones & Hom.

Howard started designing his own 10^th Street House and Bullen House as he launched his own practice. He worked by himself initially, growing to six employees by 1974.

As Julius Shulman’s images of the Anderson House hit the cover of Los Angeles Times Home Magazine (in February, 1974), the Angell Residence and Jacqueline Residence ( (in Jamul) were catalytic projects to growing the firm. With employees, he worked at 10^th Street, in a 12^th Street commercial space and a spot behind Bully’s. The office was spread across three locations with 2 people at each site.

Howard Anderson closed his office, handing off clients to Bill Hire, to become Mission West Properties’s Vice President of Real Estate Development. Between 1988 – 1992, Howard returned back to running the office in Del Mar.

Partial List of Projects

Anderson House (ca. 1973)
159 10th Street, Del Mar
*Photographed by Julius Shulman

Bullen House (1974)
Del Mar
*Unbuilt

Capri by the Sea Remodel
Pacific Beach

Davis, Jack Condominiums
La Mesa

Davis Office Building (1975)
400 Block of Camino Del Rio South, Mission Valley
*Demolished circa 2024

Davis Office Building II
400 Block of Camino Del Rio South, Mission Valley
*Demolished circa 2024

Harms, John Residence
La Mesa
*Howard attended Helix High School with John

Jackman, Harry & Sheryll House I (1974)
Jamul

Jackman, Harry & Sheryll House II (ca. early 1970s)
El Cajon

Office Building (ca. 1980)
2190-2198 Carmel Valley Road, Del Mar
*Photographed by Julius Shulman

Oury Residence (ca. 1973)
157 10th Street, Del Mar

Snowflower Condos I
Park City, Utah

Snowflower Condos II
Park City, Utah

Steamboat Springs Condos
Village Drive, Steamboat Springs, Colorado