The former Al Jolson Encino estate which has been owned by other A-List celebs like Steven Seagal, Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson, Katey Sagal, and Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards has hit the market with an asking price of $6.5 million.
This property was last discussed on this blog last year in detail when Michael and Patricia Jacobs sold it for $5.2 million to an undisclosed buyer in December 2011 representing a loss of $1,420,000 from their purchase price at the peak of the market in 2006 for $6,620,000. They originally tried to sell it with an asking price of $6,495,000 in January 2011 which languished on the market for roughly a year before they succumbed to a more realistic price of $5.2 million.
What makes this new listing astonishing is that the home is currently listed for close to the 2006 bubble price when just last year the previous buyer couldnt sell this home nowhere near the $6 million figure let alone barely above $5 million. I am not sure how this home has gained in value by 25% in less than a year when most homes in my neighborhood are selling at 40 - 50% discount from the peak price to justify this higher price unless there is gold hidden in one of the bedrooms. To put this all into perspective, the former Shirley MacLaine mansion which is smaller in living sqft feet but double the size of this lot last sold in June 2012 for $3,450,000 which is half the asking price of this home. But I have been proven wrong before and thats why they call it a market. Something tells me this will be sitting on the market for at least a year unless there a major price reductions.
The property sits on 2.25 acres with 8,522 sqft of living space built in 1935 and includes 7 Beds/7.75 Baths. The property contains park like settings with a private gated driveway that leads to the residence, guest house, and a separate pool house complete with fireplace, kitchen, and bedroom. The main house consists of office/library, gym, wine cellar, theater room with bar, and staff quarters. This house has it all and no expense was spared. To get an idea of how massive this property is, check out the aerial view below:
[Update April 2, 2014]: In March 2014, Gomez purchased a Calabasas home discussed here.
[Update December 31, 2012]: This home sold for $3.5 million on December 21, 2012 which was $199,000 less than the original list price first listed on September 23, 2012.
[Original Post]:
It appears that the rumors about Disney star Selena Gomez purchasing the former Jonah Hill home in Tarzana and/or even purchasing land with Justin Bieber in Tarzana might be true as her former home in Encino just hit the market for the marketable friendly asking price of $3,699,000. Additionally, a moving truck was spotted at the Encino home sometime in the beginning of August possibly moving her belongings to the new home.
According to the listing, the 5 Bed/6.25 Bath on 5,291 sqft on a total lot size of 1.64 acres built in 1947 states:
First time on the market for sale in 19 years. This Connecticut Style gated compound will take your breath away. Situated on 1. 69 acres of enchanting grounds there are 3 separate structures, tennis court, pool, numerous gardens, grassy play areas all amidst magnificent mature Oak Trees. A Wisteria trellised path leads you to the main residence which offers 5 bedrns, 7 bathrms, gym, formal dining room, den and spectacular family/media room. Ideal for families, the master suite and 3 children bedrms are situated together. All of the rooms look out onto beautiful vistas of trees, romantic gardens or inviting patios. The formal dining room is filled with spectacular light from the walls of windows and French doors opening to wonderful patio deck. Fabulous media/family room with its own kitchen and entry to the pool area. On the opposite side of the property there is a 2 bedrms, 2 ba gst house (approx 1100 sf). This charming structure offers hardwood floors, full kitchen, laundry room and wood burning fireplace. Next to the guest house is the converted ?barn? quite literally this barn is part of the original ?Lazy Creek Ranch?. Structure has been used for offices, studio or playroom. There are 2 gated entrances to this unique compound.
I dont believe this home was ever purchased by Selena Gomez or her family as the property records dont reveal any connection to Selena Gomez unless I am mistaken. Additionally, this home was last purchased 19 years ago for $1,650,000 on March 31, 1993 which was about one year after Selena was born on July 22, 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas. So it appears that she was most likely renting this whole time which I am not sure when the started either and for how much. Its been rumored that Selena lived in the guest home on this property but I cannot confirm.
This listing also mentions that this home is part of the Lazy Creek Ranch which I have no idea of the historical significance but I am guessing was part of a much larger ranch that started sometime in the late 40's when land was widely available and used for agricultural purposes but was eventually subdivided to what remains today.
A total of 3 passengers board the Orange Line Extension at the Chatsworth Station granted it was the end of the day on a Summer Sunday.
The 4 mile Orange Line Extension from Canoga Park to Chatsworth opened on June 30, 2012 to much fanfare and excitement with a record 16,999 riders beating the previous record of 15,629 set in June 2008. It was exciting to see the neglected and ignored old Southern Pacific Railway finally get some kind of development and attention.
But the more I started to think about this project, I had lots of doubts about the real benefits for SFV residents who now have the option of leaving the gas guzzling SUV's behind and travel all the way from the West Valley to as far as Downtown L.A. But questions started to emerge which I will discuss below.
Southern Pacific R.R. tracks in Chatsworth. Image courtesy Terry Guy Flickr
I will start off with the positives. The Orange Line Extension converted an unused rail line that was occupied by mostly automotive based businesses like used car lots, rental cars, and mechanic shops but also included a landscaping company, other mfg. businesses, and a lumber yard that was formerly the Canoga Park (Owensmouth) Southern Pacific Railroad Station (which had HCM # 488 designation on May 30, 1990 but was delisted due to fire damage in 1995). The rest of the land was dirt conveniently used by the "local cowboys" for horse riding next to the only horse zoned community in Canoga Park at Parthenia.
Owensmouth Southern Pacific Railroad Station circa 1915. Image courtesy CSUN Digital Library.
Canoga Park (Owensmouth Southern Pacific R.R. Station HCM#488. Image courtesy Valley Relics Flickr
Canoga Park Southern Pacific R.R. Station after 1995 fire. Image courtesy Terry Guy Flickr
The other positives was the creation of a walking trail adjacent to the extension that became heavily used even before the extension opened allowing for local residents to "get out" and burn some calories. Another positive is the obvious ability to take public transportation to other parts of the Valley, Hollywood, the Westside, and Downtown L.A. Another positive is that this extension created jobs and adds to the local economy. The last positive which is truly remarkable was that the project was under budget saving $62 million and was completed ahead of schedule which seems like a miracle considering other civil engineering projects that have gone wrong.
So lets switch to the negatives which are the focal point of this post. Who actually uses this line? Was it worth the $154 million in taxpayer funding? Has local traffic increased as a result of adding this line? Have the businesses who were forced to relocate been hurt by moving? Was there another area in need of public transportation? And is this line running at a profit or breakeven?
Whenever I am at the extension sitting in my car waiting for the bus to pass by or simply waiting longer as a result of the extension, I try to count the number of passengers with respect to the time and day. While my data is very crude and informal, it seems that there are only a handful of riders during rush hour especially as you get closer to the Chatsworth station. I am not even sure if there are any riders that live in Chatsworth that use that line as Chatsworth is one of the least densest towns in the San Fernando Valley. The Chatsworth Station is fairly busy but how many riders who are boarding the Metrolink via Simi Valley, Moorpark, and all the way from Ventura are getting off and hopping onto the Orange Line when they can they continue with limited stops and faster service to Downtown and use the Red Line to connect to other parts of L.A.
Which leads to my other concern with this line is that its not fast compared to other modes of public transportation like light rail and subways. This line stops at every station as well as intersections which makes a trip from Chatsworth/Canoga Park to the NoHo Station take roughly 1 hour which can be completed in 20 minutes when driving by car.
Probably the most important concern I have regarding this project is that it cost $154 million of taxpayer funds that I believe could have been redirected to other areas of the SFV in greater need of public transportation improvements. The ridership of this extension is expected to reach 9,000 passengers per day by 2020. So how many are riding today? Would it have made sense to wait till a later date and focus on a more crowded area like Van Nuys Blvd or Sepulveda Blvd? Also, is this line running at a profit or breakeven meaning that based on the fares collected, is it enough to pay for the operation of this extension?
So I am all in favor of public transportation, adding jobs, and beautifying the SFV, I now wonder if this effort and energy would have been better suited for another area. I realize that this project was an "easy choice" due to the defunct Southern Pacific Railway and could be readily connected to an existing line so the scope of the project was limited allowing for it to be completed relatively quickly and efficiently. I just think this project should have been completed at a later date.
This money should have gone into expanding transportation options along Sepulveda Blvd and the 405 freeway. According to a Texas Transportation Institute study conducted in 2011, the number of vehicles on the 405 freeway between the 101 and the 10 is 295,000 vehicles per day in 2010 and expected to reach 430,000 vehicles per day in 2030 making it the 3rd most congested highway segment in the U.S. With the upcoming Measure J which extends Measure R sales tax increase voted in 2008 for another 30 years to 2069, if approved, this money should be allocated to adding more transportation options along the Sepulveda Pass Corridor. And it shouldnt stop there by adding various phases to include transportation options all the way up to Santa Clarita. I would love to see a Subway run through here or some kind of light rail. I dont care how long it takes and the cost. We spent trillions and countless lives in Iraq and Afganistan, we shouldnt have any problems spending billions and 15 years adding a subway along the Sepulveda corridor.
Metro Sepulveda Pass Corridor Planning Study Concept #6. Image courtesy Metro
I have had these thoughts for quite some time and it looks like others are sharing the same vision as their is a Facebook page called Sepulveda Pass Subway (Give them a Like to get updates) which is drumming up support for this idea and expressing their ideas to The Metro who have also started to acknowledge these concepts.
The entrance to Bamboo Charlie's refuge with the Sears building in the background which is hard to spot when driving by.
The purpose of this blog is to discuss all things related to the SFV. However, today, I wanted to share a story of a remarkable homeless man turned artist living in Boyle Heights. So I apologize for stepping out the SFV to talk about this unique story that I think you will appreciate.
The gated entrance to Bamboo Charlies refuge after you walk a couple of steps from the entrance noted in the picture above.
A R.I.P. already exists on a shopping cart as you walk in.
The view of Bamboo Charlie's home as you enter past the second entrance lined with toys.
I was first alerted to the story of the homeless man known as Bamboo Charlie via a Los Angeles Time article publishing his untimely passing on September 2, 2012 by Hector Becerra. The LA Times first wrote about Bamboo Charlie on the front cover on July 5, 2010 by the same author.
A small exhibit of what appears to be Osama Bin Laden and the War in the Middle East.
The story of Bamboo Charlie is rather unique and unprecedented. Despite being homeless, he actually has a home in the concrete jungle of L.A in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, a minority working class community. His refuge is 50 yards away from the L.A River, rail lines, the busy Olympic Blvd overpass, and is overshadowed by the historic art deco Sears, Roebuck & Company Mail Order Building (HCM# 788) that serves as a "beacon for Eastsiders returning home on area freeways" according to the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Can you spot the green bamboos in the concrete jungle? Image courtesy Google Maps.
Here is a closer look. Image courtesy Google Maps.
Looking down onto Bamboo Charlie's home from the highest point on the property with the warehouse wall in the background.
Bamboo Charlie whose real name is Charles Ray Walker has been living here for the past twenty years in an area roughly 40 ft wide by 200 foot long in between a warehouse and truck yard. The LA Times article describes it best:
It's off a narrow street lined with warehouses. The first sign of something strange and wondrous is a set of steps, neatly carved out of a bare slope. At the top of the stairs, a chain-link fence with a "CLOSED FOR CLEANING" sign marks the entrance to the domain of "Bamboo Charlie."
The gate opens onto a grove of green bamboo. Beyond is an expanse of earth sculpted into terraces and winding pathways. A multitude of action figures, dolls, toy cars, plush animals and religious statuettes are arrayed across this landscape, arranged in scenes or planted along the borders of dirt paths, like runway lights.
The back end of the property .
One of the murals on the warehouse wall.
One of the many terraces on the property.
Bamboo Charlie grew up in El Campo, Texas who by the age of 21 had his own home and was an irrigation foreman. Bamboo Charlie eventually made his way to LA in the 70's because he wanted to see Hollywood. By the 80's he was living on and off skid row. One day in 1992 while panning for gold in the LA River he noticed green bamboo shoots spouting nearby Olympic Blvd. The owner of the property with the green bamboo shoots allowed him to stay there if he maintained the place.
Inside Bamboo Charlie's shack which had already become ransacked by homeless people searching for money and other items of value.
And that is what Bamboo Charlie did for the next 20 years. Going back to his days as an irrigation foreman, he sculpted terraces, staircases, and cultivated the land for a variety of fruits and vegetables. He built a shack complete with bed, windows, and a propane oven. He even has an entertainment system and a generator. He watched movies and ate popcorn from a salvaged microwave. In his spare time he collected various items from the trash, mostly toys to decorate his new home and create exhibits like Tiger Woods with Barbie Dolls next to cell phones depicting the infidelity scandal that broke out in November 2009. He allowed local artists to paint murals on the warehouse walls bounding the property.
The Tiger Woods exhibit with Tiger in the golf bag surrounded by Barbie dolls and cellphones. I think you get the message.
In 2004, he took a detour and left his world to see family in Houston. He found work as an overhead crane operator but eventually grew bored after three years and returned back. He found his refuge unrecognizable as it was overrun by homeless people. But that didnt stop him and he returned the place to its former glory.
I think this was the "cool" grim reaper.
On August 26, 2012, the 61-year-old Texas native was found dead on the floor of his shack.
What really surprised me about Bamboo Charlie and is probably the reason for his long survival as that he never begged for anything. In the LA Times article, he stated:
He says he never begs and does not collect welfare.
"I'm not going to ask another grown man for money. I never have, and I never will," he said, his face contorted in disgust. "People expect that from a homeless man."
Another homeless man, Jim Garrison, 51, from Louisiana described Bamboo Charlie's home in the LA Times article:
"It's another world. You don't have to worry about nobody fooling with you," he said. "You come back here, and you find serenity. Charles, he's the godfather of this place."
A view looking at the entrance.
Looking from the highest point of the property.
In the midst of the screeching and howling cars of the nearby 10 Freeway and Olympic Blvd, the bustling movement of goods from distribution centers via train and trucks, the world of Bamboo Charlie exists offering peace and solace. Everything a man would need exists in this small dirt area with bamboo trees and the warehouse wall providing much needed shade. It almost feels like camping but this was a permanent home. In today's advanced technological world, Bamboo Charlie did not have the latest iPAD, iPhone, Internet connectivity, running water, working refrigerator, A/C, 60" LED Big Screen, hot showers, 2 vehicles in the garage, etc. He made ends meet with the simplest things in life and didnt complain. Something unheard of in today's stress induced and pressure filled lifestyles.
From the highest point on the property looking towards the Sears building.
With Bamboo Charlie passed away, I was wondering what is going to happen this place? I was easily remembered by the eccentric Daniel Van Meter who built the Tower of Wooden Pallets on his Sherman Oaks ranch (discussed on this blog) in the early 50's. This site was designated an Historic Cultural Monument in the late 70's only to be demolished in 2004 to make way for an apartment complex.
Is Bamboo Charlie's refuge going to be subjected to the same fate or blocked from public viewing? I dont know which is why I visited the site on a hot Friday afternoon fearing that one day it would be gone and I missed the opportunity to see something special. I managed to pick a good day to visit at there were other visitors as well. However, these guys were not visitors but "friends" of Bamboo Charlie. Two of the guys were creating a new mural on the warehouse wall while others were hanging out enjoying the ambiance. As I was walking out, two other "friends" entered and a "friendly" discussion ensued between the guys that were hanging out and these new "friends" that had entered. The discussion quickly became heated and turned territorial as each one was claiming their rights to protect the property.
As I was walking out a "friendly" discussion over territorial rights to the property erupted in the background.
Since Bamboo Charlie had passed, his microwave was stolen and his home had slowly become overrun by the homeless just as it was back in 2004 when Bamboo Charlie briefly vacated his home. The dilemma with Bamboo Charlie passing is that there is no one around to keep the place clean and protected 24/7 as Bamboo Charlie would have done. There are a small group of volunteers that try to preserve Bamboo Charlie's legacy but being available all hours of the day becomes challenging.
I dont know what is going to happen but hopefully this place remains as is. The City of LA has already lost many areas of significance (including some that I have discussed in the Back to The Future series regarding the SFV). This is truly a unique site especially in LA where it seems that every and any piece of land is developed for a quick profit. It would be nice if this place got an HCM designation to prevent it from being destroyed but that takes money and connections.
In the meantime, enjoy this influential site while you can.
Train tracks and LA River nearby Bamboo Charlie's homew with the 10 Freeway overpass in the distance. The pictures below show various reference points of the tracks, LA River, Olympic Blvd, and the Amtrak train.
[Update June 18, 2013]: The bomb shelter which is actually a fallout shelter was opened by the new owners, Chris and Collen Otcasek, and shared with Southern California Public Radio who discovered a treasure of original items left untouched dating back to the 60's shown below.
[Update November 2, 2012]: This home sold for $590,000 on October 18, 2012 which was $19,900 less than original list price and was completed in 1.5 months time.
4 Beds/ 1.75 Baths on 2,018sqft on a total lot size of 10,173sqft built in 1960. This home is located in Woodland Hills and designed by the renowned architect Charles Du Bois (who has designed many MCM homes in Palm Springs) which is currently available for $609,900. The last time this home was purchased is not known according to the property records but based on the ridiculously low property taxes of $1,714 for 2011, this would suggest that this home may have been owned by the original owner going back to 1960 or possibly sometime in the 70's. As an added bonus, this home comes with a bomb shelter ready for WW3. The last time the SFVallyblog discussed about backyard bomb shelters was in Reseda which was also a home owned by a long time resident. It makes you wonder how many bomb shelters exist in the SFV and if so, do they only exist because of the original owners who installed them.
The listing states:
Built when the space race was rocketing forward and the 1% still drove Cadillacs, this well preserved and cared for Mid Century Modern home was designed by famed architect Charles Du Bois. Its classic Woodland West design with low pitched, rock roof allows for vaulted, smooth, and beamed ceilings throughout. Located on a 10,000+ sqft parcel with 90 feet of frontage, liquid amber trees, white roses, and a Flagstone stone entry greet you. Enjoy the best of California indoor/ outdoor living. Spacious living room w/ wood burning stone fireplace opens to a big backyard, with uniquely designed patio overhang and sparkling rectangular Blue Haven pool. Gracefully pruned fruit trees afford ample privacy. The RV access will hold your Airstream trailer, and the vintage bomb shelter would make a great wine cellar, or man cave. Flexible spacious kitchen can be outfitted as a family/ kitchen space, or just accommodate a large table and breakfront. There are 4 bedrooms, one a master suite, and 1.75 baths w/ cool retro tile work. Newer water heater and central HVAC. Replastered swimming pool, too. Convenient to Warner Center, Topanga Plaza, Highway 101, and many great dining options along Ventura Blvd. Now it's your turn to own this hipster home!
You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.
