San Fernando Valley Blog

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Celebrity Real Estate: Baseball Hall of Famer Casey Stengel Estate Available in Glendale

Thursday, July 26, 2012 / No Comments

[Update November 18, 2012]: This home sold for $1.9 million which was $510,000 less than the original list price and completed in roughly 5 months. Also, this home was purchased by Jenna Fischer from The Office which you can read about here.

[Original Post]:

The Casey Stengel estate has hit the market for the first time in over 30 years at $2.41 million according to the always informative Lauren Beale at Los Angeles Times Hot Property.

Casey Stengel played major league baseball from 1912 through 1925 and later became a manager from 1934 to 1965 having won 8 World Series with five of those World Series won consecutively from 1949 to 1953 for the New York Yankees. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966 and his jersey number was retired by both the Yankees and Mets. He passed away on September 29, 1975 and was interred at Forest Lawn in Glendale.

According to the listing, the home measures 5 Beds/4 Baths on 4,565 sqft on a total lot size of 0.94 acres built in 1925:

Rare Trophy estate property in Northwest Glendale near the historic Brand Library on a huge flat lot with tennis court, pool and private orchard. Formerly the home of baseball legend Casey Stengel, this is first time the estate has been on the market in over 30 years. With spacious rooms on two floors, the upstairs features the difficult-to-find combination of 5 Bdrms, 3 Bas + 2 Sitting Rooms while the main level offers a formal Living Room, grand Dining Room w/ Butler's Pantry, an eat-in Kitchen/Family Room combo and 2 Baths. The Cynthia Bennett designed Kitchen and Master Suite were added (w/ permit) approximately 11 years ago. This home also features newer systems and overall excellent care. The sparkling pool and tennis court are in wonderful condition, redone 4 yrs ago. Additionally there is a 420 sf summer house w/ fireplace, 3-car garage with adjacent maids rm + ba, and a huge orchard at the back of the property. Mills Act candidate for significant property tax reduction.

Its not known when Casey Stengel purchased this property nor the price but three years after his death, the estate was sold to James and Virginia Davis on November 16, 1978 for an unknown price. James Davis owned Animal Hospital in Valley Village from 1964 to 2000 who had many celebrity clients including Cher, Henry Winkler, and Marlon Brando according to the Los Angeles Times article.

Images courtesy G&C Properties

You can read more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.

The Iconic JC Penny Store in San Fernando Will Close This Saturday

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As you have probably already heard by now, the iconic JC Penny store in the city of San Fernando will be closing its doors for good this Saturday, July 28th, 2012 as reported by the Daily News. There have been attempts by locals including the Valley Economic Alliance to try to save this historic site which has been in existence since 1920 which moved only once to a 60,000 sqft building on the corner of San Fernando Road and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in 1953.

You can sign a petition at SaveSanFernandoJCPenny.com which also has support from a fellow San Fernando native George Lopez (who now lives in Toluca Lake). While the efforts to save JC Penny are much appreciated and admired, I doubt anything will change for the two simple reasons that San Fernando itself is slowly deteriorating from a lack of blue collar jobs and overall investment. Additionally the San Fernando Mall is no longer a popular spot as people flock to the indoor malls like the Topanga and Promende Malls both operated by the Westfield Company.

Speaking of investments, compare the San Fernando Mall to the proposed expansion at the Village at Westfield Topanga which is surrounded by big and small stores within a 1 mile radius. These expansions are taking place in the West Valley and not in places like San Fernando which appears to be that investors dont want to pursue any development as evidenced by JC Penny shutting its doors. But who knows, maybe there will be a turning point.

Celebrity Real Estate: L Word Actress Calls Toluca Lake Home

Monday, July 23, 2012 / No Comments

Images courtesy Teles Properties

According to the fine folks at Trulia Luxe Living, L Word actress, Erin Daniels, has purchased a Toluca Lake home for $1,569,000 on June 22, 2012.

The home measures 5 Bed/3.5 Baths on 4,339 sqft on a total lot size of 8,432 sqft built in 1992:

Fabulous modern family home overlooking Lakeside Golf Course. Exceptionally light and warm property with open living, dining and family rooms and newer kitchen. Perfect for entertaining, the home features an inviting private pool, plus front courtyard and roof garden. Other highlights include: sound system, Category 5 Wiring, Photo-Voltaic Solar System, double glazed windows, & Low-E glass.

Erin Daniels also owns a Hollywood Hills home that is currently for sale at $925,000 which she is offloading in order to move into a bigger home.

Toluca Lake is home to many celebrities partially due to its close proximity to the studios and Hollywood. The following list are celebrity homes in the Toluca Lake area discussed on this blog:

Former Bing Crosby estate which sold on December 20, 2011 for $4.020 million.
Hillary Duff mansion that has been on and off the market since 2011 with a current asking price of $5.5 million.
Jason Priestly who tried to sell his home for $2.1 million and has been off the market at this time.
Miley Cyrus clan lives in this area.
Other residents include Ashley Tisdale, former Bob Hope, Kiefer Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Dweezil Zappa, valley native George Lopez, Brooke Burns, Lindsay Price, Jonathan Antin, Jennie Garth, David Leisure, Nile Niami, the late Roy Disney, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jonathan Winter, Steve Carell, Kirk Fogg, Markie Post, and the Jonas Brothers to name a few (or several).

You can check out more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.

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

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 / No Comments

[Update November 2, 2012]: This home sold for $499,000 which was the original asking price on September 26, 2012 which was completed in roughly 3 months time.

[Original Post]:

6407 Oakdale Avenue

4 Beds/3 Baths on 1,479 sqft on a total lot size of 7,511 sqft built in 1954 available in Woodland Hills for $499,000. 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, here, and most recently here on Hamlin Street which is available for $369,000 which is a drastic difference from the home mentioned in this post. Take your pick.

Private and gated Mid Century Modern extensively remodeled Corbin Palms 'Alexander for the most discerning buyer! Open kitchen, living room & dining room w/ distinctive exposed beam and posts throughout. Beautiful glass hood centered over the bar facing the one year old 6-burner Miele counter top stove & Jenn-air, convection option oven completing this chefs Kitchen. New cabinets, Caesarstone counters and Travertine tile. 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. Master with expanded walk-in closet and expanded master bath w/ dual sinks & beautiful shower! Full guest bath redesigned to feel like spa getaway. Complete with Bamboo hardwood floors, central heating and air, and for the energy efficient seeker, NEW SOLAR PANELS!!! (minimal monthly electric bills) with approx 25 year warranty. Escape into true California living by stepping out into the back yard oasis featuring a new Deck, Pergola and Garden. Easy and close access to the orange line, freeways, Warner Center, Pierce College, and shopping.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Images courtesy Partners Trust Beverly Hills

A. Quincy Jones Mid Century Modern Home Available in Tarzana

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5004 Calvin Avenue

4 Beds/2.5 Baths on 2,160sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres built in 1961 in Tarzana. According to the listing, the home was built by the famed architect A. Quincy Jones. Originally listed for $909,000 on May 21, 2012 and currently available for $879,000 on June 20, 2012. Last purchased on March 2, 1990 for $525,000.

Luxurious very private large home nestled in the Tarzana Hills. Designed by A. Quincy Jones, this compound-like home flows through 2,160 sf through 10' high ceilings, wide halls and oak hardwood floors, throughout. Walls of glass provide a wonderful indoor/outdoor experience and flood the home with natural light. An extremely cute detached little house behind might be an office, a studio or a delightful playhouse. To cap the ultimate California experience, the gorgeous pool, separate Spa and built-in BBQ areas provide tranquility, serenity as well as excellent entertainment venues.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.