News Ticker

Menu

Browsing "Older Posts"

Palmer & Krisel Corbin Palms Mid Century Modern Home Available in Woodland Hills

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 / No Comments
[Update August 30, 2012]: This home sold for $395,000 which was completed in roughly 1.5 months and was $26,000 above asking price showing strong demand for Corbin Palms homes.

[Original Post]:
19737 Hamlin Street
4 Beds/2.25 Baths on 1,392sqft on a total lot size of 7,499sqft built in 1954. This home was designed by Palmer & Krisel in the Corbin Palms area. You can read more about the architect's history here and here. You can also read about similar homes that have sold in the past here and here. This one is currently for sale at $369,000 which was last purchased on January 23, 1978 for $84,000. The home appears to be in a good shape with little to no alterations. 

You can read more about San Fernando Valley Architecture and Real Estate here

















Images courtesy Rodeo Realty

Celebrity Real Estate: Alpha Dog's Anton Yelchin Moves into Studio City

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 / 3 Comments


Hot off the presses from the always informative Lauren Beale at Los Angeles Times Hot Property comes word of Alpha Dog star, Anton Yelchin's purchase in Studio City for $945,000 on May 18, 2012. This home is also nearby the Waxman House by Barry MoffittR.M. Schindler's The Goodwin House, Calvin Straub Post and Beam House, and Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's new pad


Anton Yelchin is a Russian born actor who started acting in film and television in the year 2000. He starred in Along Came A  Spider, Hearts in Atlantis, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, The Smurfs, Fright Night, Pirates! Band of Misfits, and the upcoming Star Trek and Smurfs 2. On Television, he starred in ER, Taken, Curb Your Enthusiasm, NYPD Blue, Huff, and Criminal Minds


As mentioned earlier, Anton Yelchin played the role of Zack Mazursky in the crime thriller, Alpha Dog, (filming locations discussed here) which was based on the true story of Nicholas Markowitz and Jesse James Hollywood who grew up in the quiet suburb of West Hills which I briefly discussed in the post; Dont Raise Your Kids in the West Valley: A Retrospective Review of Young Adult Crime in the West Valley. Anton Yelchin played such a memorable character in the film Alpha Dog that Markowitz's mother "was moved by Anton Yelchin's portrayal of her son." (Wikipedia)

Images courtesy Leland Properties
Although Anton Yelchin was not born in the SFV, he is somewhat of a local as he attended the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies in Tarzana. 

According to the listing, this 3 Bed/2.25 Bath, 1,845 sqft home on 0.26acres built in 1940 states:
Private and Gated Studio City Entertainers Retreat with Views, Pool, Spas and Real Charm! Situated on 1/4 acre landscaped garden lot with multiple decks/patios/cabana and mature trees. This 1940 Custom home features vaulted ceilings , chocolate hardwood floors & fireplaces in the living & dining rooms. The indoor/outdoor feel is unmatched with French doors opening to all yards. Newly remolded Gourmet Kitchen w/ Bertazzo 36"range/Asko dishwasher/dual zone wine fridge & Quortstone counters that opens to dining area that flow out to the large Cabana and the custom pool/spa areas with incredible views. Three upstairs bedrooms include the Romantic Master Suite with verdant views and a designer, sunny, spa tub, double sink bath with walk in closets & additional two bedrooms with great views. .. .. This is a private Lush setting to Celebrate Grand Occasions or Life's Most Intimate Moments. .. .
Prior to this home, the tribute.ca website claims that Anton Yelchin lived in Burbank. And prior to his Burbank home, property records show a Tarzana property purchased by Anton and his father on June 19, 2003 for $670,000 bordering the Braemar Country Club. This 4 Bed/4 Bath home is most likely where Anton Yelchin was living while attending the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. 

Image courtesy Google Maps
Talk about keep it real with respect to the San Fernando Valley. How many actors can say they attended a school in the SFV, own two SFV homes, and played a character in a movie based on a SFV resident? 

You can view more Celebrity Real Estate here.

Calvin Straub FAIA Designed Post and Beam in Studio City

/ No Comments
[Update August 30, 2012]: This home sold for $1,450,000 which was completed in almost one month and about $150,000 over asking price. This was definitely a home in demand.

[Original Post]:
3549 Laurelvale Drive
2 Bed/2.5 Bath on 2,023sqft on a total lot size of 9,483sqft built in 1953 currently available for $1,299,000. According to the listing, this home was built by Calvin Straub, FAIA, who is known as the father of California Post and Beam architecture and was featured in California Homes Magazine which was captured by Julius Shulman. Last sold on September 25, 2002 for $630,000. This home is also nearby the Waxman House by Barry Moffitt, R.M. Schindler's The Goodwin House, and Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's new pad

According to the listing:
This architectural home, by Calvin Straub FAIA, embodies the architect's legacy as ~~~the Father of California Post and Beam Architecture~~~. From the terrazzo floors to the open floor plan with its in/outdoor living, this is a true "California lifestyle" home. Floor to ceiling glass allows the landscape in & the lifestyle out, easily converging and exemplifying the LA home. The generous master is appropriately embellished with today's luxuries, including a lg soaking tub, steam shower, fireplace, and pvt balcony. The 2nd bdrm is on the main floor with an adj bathroom & view of the saltwater pool. The 3rd room is currently used as an office. The family room is anchored by built-in shelving with comfort as its largest priority. Entertaining could not be easier whether dining indoors or out, you will always impress your guests. The outdoors is landscaped with privacy & year around beauty in mind. Photographed by famed Architectural photographer Julius Shulman for California Homes Magazine.
You can check out more San Fernando Valley Architechture and Real Estate here.


  















Images courtesy Prudential California Realty

San Fernando Valley History/Culture Test

/ 1 Comment
I was randomly browsing through the interweb when I found this great set of questions regarding San Fernando Valley History/Culture at the Competition Plus Forum (Drag Racing's Internet Magazine).

The following questions were posted by TopFuel@Lions:
If you lived in the San Fernando Valley in the 50s, 50s, or 70s, did you ever.........?
  1. Go to Bobs Big Boy on Van Nuys Blvd for the hot car hop bettys and the 99 cent Big Boy Combo?
  2. Did you ever cruise Van Nuys Blvd on Wed nights?
  3. Did you ever get a Cupids Hot Dog on Victory Blvd.
  4. Eat a high-end meal at Otto's Pink Pig?
  5. Go to the drags at San Fernando Raceway?
  6. Go to the circle track races at Whiteman Stadium?
  7. Eat at Thriftys Drug Store's coffee shop?
  8. Have breakfast at Coffee Dan's A-frame style restaurant?
  9. Drive down Van Nuys Blvd during Christmas with all those great decorations?
  10. Drive by Ed Pink Racing Engines to see what drag racers were there?
  11. Watch or participate in the street races on San Fernando Road?
  12. Eat great Italian food at Lido Pizza at Victory and Sepulveda Blvds?
  13. Wonder why folks living south of Ventura Blvd were so snooty and smug?
  14. Ever see the drag racing x-mas tree count down at the speed shop on Van Nuys blvd near Magnolia.
  15. Did you ever hang out at Service Center Speed Shop at Victory and Sepulveda hoping to catch a racer or 3,or5, or ??
  16. Ever knock off a cold one at the Tender Trap or Bourbon Square??
  17. Did you ever go to the Sepulveda, Victory, Van Nuys, or Reseda Drive-In movies??
A little trip down the SF Valley memory lane.
TopFuel@Lions

Celebrity Real Estate: Former Shirley MacLaine Encino Mansion Sold

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 / No Comments
15963 Woodvale Road
6 Bed/5.75 Bath with 6,114 sqft on a massive lot size of 4.4 acres built in 1956 sold for $3,450,000 on June 5, 2012 in the Royal Oaks area of Encino. This home was originally listed on June 21, 2011 for $4,495,000 which sold roughly one year later and with a $1,045,000 price drop.

In the May-June 2012 issue of Our Ventura Blvd, "A Distinguished Legacy":

The home was originally developed and built in 1956 by the area’s biggest swimming pool contractor, Phil Anthony. Ms. MacClaine lived in the property in the late 1960s through the mid-1970s. She entertained extensively, hosting the Rat Pack’s Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., among others.

The current owners say that one quiet Sunday afternoon, not too long after they purchased the property, “Shirley and a group of her friends roared up the driveway on motorcycles! She wanted to show them this great place where she had so many great memories.” While always welcome, the current owners subsequently installed the second security gate at the top of their driveway, thus ensuring maximum privacy.
Also, this property has withstood development and remains in original form as nearby properties slowly sold off various parcels. However, this property could by subdivided as noted in the same article:
The property actually touches four different streets: Woodvale, Woodley, Valley Vista and Clear Valley. At one point, it was slated for subdivision into as many as six to eight homes, with ingress off Valley Vista Boulevard. While that scenario was bypassed, there still exists the opportunity to divide a parcel for building another compound structure such as a studio, guesthouse or a completely separate residence.
From the listing:
Reminiscent of a classic old world Beverly Hills estate, this former Celebrity Owned Compound is nestled on 4.62 acres in Royal Oaks! This amazing one of a kind property is sequestered up a nearly 1000 foot drive & provides complete privacy. The monumental double gated property offers incredible sweeping views of the Valley. The expansive park like grounds are completed by a champion North South T/C w/ pavilion, oversized free form pool w/ amazing fountain, manicured grassy lawns & multiple open air patios, detached pool cabana w/ bath & an oversized veranda w/ fireplace. This exceptional 6100+ square foot residence radiates polished sophistication. Grand scale common rooms dominate the timeless floor plan & include a living room w/ fireplace, family room w/ wet bar & custom mantled fireplace, banquet sized formal dining room & an eat-in kitchen w/ Sub Zero, double oven & warming drawers. A two bedroom guest wing & gym complete the downstairs floor plan. The refined style is continued in the upstairs master retreat which offers a formal sitting room/office, two way fireplace, a covered terrazzo balcony & opulent bath w/ marble counters, spa tub & two person multi-head steam shower.
You can view more San Fernando Valley Architecture and Real Estate here and Celebrity Real Estate here.
























Images courtesy Prudential California Realty