News Ticker

Menu

Browsing "Older Posts"

Automotive Filming Needs Fulfilled in the San Fernando Valley

Saturday, August 31, 2013 / No Comments
Image courtesy Bornrich.com
One of the best things about the SFV is watching television shows and movies that specifically feature or use the SFV as a filming location(s). I am such a big fan of it that I have a page dedicated for Filming Locations used in popular movies and TV shows which is a constantly growing list. 

So every movie or TV show obviously needs a filming location or studio to complete its story. But what about automotive needs? Almost every TV show or film uses a vehicle whether its completely customized like the Batmobile from the 1960's Batman TV show series to a modern day police squad car used in CSI. 

So guess what? Most of those cars whether customized or standard vehicles are sourced right in the SFV. So not only is the SFV a major source for filming location needs (in addition to the many Studios) but the SFV is also a major source for all those vehicle you see on the big screen. 

The list below shows where many of the vehicles you have seen on TV or film are housed including the customization shops. Its possible I may have missed one, so please let me know and I will update. 

1. Barris Kustom Industries 10811 Riverside Drive North Hollywood California 91602. Lets start with the one and only George Barris who I believe invented car customizing and is a legend, if not a god when it comes this category. Consider that he customized the Batmobile, The Munster Koach, The Beverly Hillbillies "1928 Porter", an updated version of KITT for Knight Rider, Black Beauty from Green Hornet, and The General Lee from Dukes of Hazard to name a few. Another car Barris customized that I talked about on this site is "Navin Johnson's" Pontiac Firebird from The Jerk here.  Barris has also customized cars for celebrities including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Elton John, John Wayne, Sonny and Cher, and Elvis Presley. The shop is still open and George Barris is still doing his thing after more than 50 years. Simply amazing!
Image courtesy sixpacktech.com
Image courtesy Knightrideronline.com
Image courtesy OC Register
Image courtesy Deviant Art
Image courtesy CGLFC
2. Cinema Vehicle Services 12580 Saticoy St # A North Hollywood CA 91605. CVS was first started in October 1975 by Ray Claridge in a 2500 sqft Van Nuys shop and eventually moved to a 7.5 acre lot in NoHo with approximately 1000 vehicles available to rent. CVS also provides a state of the art facility for studio prep work. They claim to be the "oldest and only picture car company in the industry." Some of their well known vehicles they developed include Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds, Torino from Starsky and Hutch, Ecto1 from Ghostbuster, and the Charger from The Fast and The Furious. They also have an interactive website that lets you view their inventory so I definitely recommend viewing their website if you have time to look at 1000 vehicles. On a related note, CVS was recently featured in LA Times for the renewal of their lease which allowed them to continue call North Hollywood home. 

Image courtesy Ganzomag.com
Image courtesy Cinema Vehicle Services
Image courtesy Cinema Vehicle Services
Image courtesy therpf.com 
Image courtesy autoholics.com 
Image courtesy Cinema Vehicle Services
Image courtesy Cinema Vehicle Services
Image courtesy Google Maps
3. Unknown. Approximately 14589 Titus Street Panorama City 91402. This next location I am not sure who operates it and the address but it definitely appears to be a movie car rental business. Its possible that this is an overflow parking lot for Cinema Vehicle Services. I am listing it separately just in case it is not operated by CVS. On a separate note, this is also the old parking lot for the now abandoned The Valley Federal Savings Building (see postcard here). If anyone has any information on this location, please do share. 


Above images courtesy Google Maps
4. Picture Car Warehouse 8400 Reseda Blvd Northridge CA 91324 (former Rydell and Neill Lehr Cadillac). Picture Car Warehouse was started by Ted Moser who has been a transportation and picture car coordinator since 1990. He has worked on numerous films including 2 fast 2 furious, Rush Hour 2 and 3, and The Great Debaters to name a few. PCW is similar to CVS mentioned above in that they provide a wide array of vehicles for rent as well as provide customization work. This location was also used for the 2011 movie, Drive, which was discussed on this site. They also have an interactive website that lets you view their inventory so I definitely recommend viewing their website if you have time to look at 100's of vehicles.


Above images courtesy PCW
5. Galpin Studio Rentals Hollywood 8353 Sepulveda Blvd North Hills CA 91343 (locations also in Hollywood, La Cienga, and Santa Clarita). From the man who made the Galpin Ford Dealership a huge success, Bert Boeckmann started Galpin Ford Rentals in May 1974 and later expanded to the Studio Rental business in November 1981. The rest they say is history as this department exploded for Galpin providing an inventory of vehicles greater than 600 that were used in movies like E.T., Back To The Future, and Nightmare on Elm Street. This company is a large provider of Ford vehicles, so if you are ever watching a TV show or movie and see a bunch of Fords, it most likely came from Galpin. Galpin also operates Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) which customizes cars and provide aftermarket products that was featured in MTV's Pimp My Ride hosted by Xzibit (Woodland Hills resident). 

Image courtesy Galpin Studio Rentals
Image courtesy About.com
6. Studio Picture Vehicles 7502 Wheatland Avenue Sun Valley CA 91352. Ken Fritz started Fritz Custom Cars forty-two years ago. He then started H.K. Custom Cars. Owning the two businesses and building cars for the Motion Picture Industry, he decided to start Studio Picture Vehicles, which the City of Los Angeles awards for being "The oldest Picture Car Supplier in the Movie Industry".

Image courtesy Google Maps
Image courtesy Google Maps
Image courtesy Studio Picture Vehicles
You can view more SFV Filming Locations here

You can view more SFV history here

Celeb R.E.: That 70's Show Creator, Mark Brazill, Flips Burbank Spanish Home

Thursday, August 29, 2013 / No Comments

Images courtesy Teles Properties 
Back on August 7, 2013, the fine folks at Zillow Blog revealed That 70's Show creator, Mark Brazill, listed his Burbank Spanish equestrian estate on August 2, 2013 for $1,249,000 which was quickly sold on August 23, 2013 for $1,200,000. Brazill originally purchased this property on June 27, 2011 for $860,000 translating into a profit of $389,000 before expenses which may have been easily evaporated considering that the listing states that over $300,000 was spent in renovations. On a side note, Brazill has become infamous for a heated email between Judd Apatow that was published in the March 2002 edition of Harper's magazine that is hilarious. 

The home measures 3 Beds/1.75 Baths on 2,628 sqft on a total lot size of 0.29 acres built in 1937. The listing description states:
Paradise found in this emotional majestic Spanish estate. Perched up on a knoll, this extremely private home welcomes you to step back in time while enjoying all the modern amenities expected in a luxury home. Stunning living room with exposed beam cathedral ceiling, grand fireplace & narrow plank oak floors. Romantic master bedroom suite features 2 walk in closets, fireplace & French doors opening to backyard. Designer kitchen with Athens Grey marble counters, high end Miele appliances and custom cabinets all opening to dining area ? ideal for entertaining. French doors lead to brick patio underneath the canopy of a massive stately oak tree. Steps beyond is the deep pool and jacuzzi. Lushly landscaped expansive back yard. Detached art studio (inc. in sq footage) connected by a breezeway to the main house. 3 stalls plus a turnout for your horses. 2 car attached garage. Two years & over $300,000 spent on restoring this grand dame to glory. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident in every room and throughout the property. Tucked into the highly desirable Rancho Equestrian District, located ? block to the trails to Griffith Park and the Equestrian Center yet minutes to the studios, blue ribbon Burbank schools & LILA private school.
Brazill is something of a serial real estate buyers has he has owned other homes in the SFV and beyond listed below (its also possible I missed some properties).
Image courtesy Google Maps
A 3 Bed/1 Bath on 1,710 sqft home on a total lot size of 9,215 sqft built in 1930 at 4340 Ponca Avenue Toluca Lake (shown above). If I am reading the property history correctly, it appears that Brazill purchased on July 3, 2001 for $1,169,000 and sold for $1,649,000 on April 1, 2005. So this is where it gets weird as it also appears that Brazill re-purchased this property for $1,851,000 on March 29, 2006 but sold 2 months later for $1,875,000 on June 22, 2006 which doesnt make sense but you never know, could have actually happened this way. 

Image courtesy Soethby's International Realty
A 4 Bed/6 Bath on 5,292 sqft on a total lot size of 0.40 acres built in 1971 at 4250 Navajo Avenue Toluca Lake (shown above). This home was purchased for $2,910,000 on June 27, 2006 and sold at a $60,000 loss on February 12, 2008 for $2,850,000. 

Image courtesy Soethby's International Realty
A 4 Bed/4 Bath on 4,926 sqft on a total lot size of 0.55 acres built in 1928 at 2566 Aberdeen Avenue Los Feliz (shown above). This home was purchased for $4,795,000 on April 26, 2007 and sold a year later for $3,995,000 on October 15, 2008 representing an $800,000 loss. Yes, $800k!

Image courtesy Google Maps
A 4 Bed/4 Bath on 2,938 sqft on a total lot size of 5,852 sqft built in 1928 at 3245 Primera Avenue Hollywood Hills (shown above). The property records for this home are a bit conflicting but it appears that Brazill purchased sometime in the late 90's for an unknown amount and later sold on June 27, 2001 for $725,000. Dont quote me on this one because there are so many conflicting information. 

So where is Mark Brazill heading to next?

You can view more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here

Celeb R.E.: Actor Kris Polaha and Actress Julianne Morris Unload Toluca Lake Estate

/ No Comments
Images courtesy John Aaroe Group
Back on August 5, 2013, the always hilarious Your Mama at the Realestalker revealed that actor Kris Polaha (North Shore, Life Unexpected, and Ringer) and his wife Julianne Morris (Day of our Lives) unloaded his Toluca Lake estate on July 31, 2013 for $820,000 earning a profit of $340,500 before expenses which was first purchased on February 1, 2001 for $479,500.

The home measures 3 Beds/2.5 Baths on 1,874 sqft on a total lot size of 9,491 sqft built in 1938. The listing description states: 
Charming and quiet traditional 3bd/2.5bth home on a large lot in prime Toluca Lake location. Features a stunningly remodeled chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, Carrera marble backsplash, designer stone countertops, custom cabinetry and fabulous flow to the dining area. Entertain your guests by the fireplace in the spacious designer living room, in the lush fenced-in front yard and porch, or in the expansive backyard. The luxurious and large master bedroom features a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, two sets of French doors leading to the backyard, a large en-suite bath with newly remodeled double sinks on Carrera marble countertops and a custom walk in closet. This welcoming home also features hardwood floors throughout, built-ins, new central air/heat, recessed lighting throughout and copper plumbing. All this and Toluca Village is just down the street.
Its not known where Polaha and Morris are heading to next but I am guessing its somewhere in the SFV.

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:
  1. Actress Octavia Spencer purchases for $841,500 in April 2013. 
  2. Patricia Heaton Purchases Toluca Lake mansion for $5.4 million in March 2013
  3. The Office star Steve Carell Sells One of His Toluca Lake Homes for $5.1 million on March 2013.
  4. The Estate of the Late Roy Disney Sells for $3.1 million in January 2013. 
  5. Scott Baio sold the family home for $3,150,000 on December 26, 2012. 
  6. The Estate of the late Bob Hope which will be listed soon. 
  7. Former Bing Crosby estate which sold on December 20, 2011 for $4.020 million.
  8. Former Hillary Duff mansion which sold on July 18, 2012 for $4,651,500.
  9. Jason Priestly who tried to sell his home for $2.1 million and has been off the market at this time.
  10. Erin Daniels (L Word) who recently purchased in June 2012 for $1.5 million.
  11. Jennifer Love Hewitt who recently listed a property for sale and one for lease in August 2012.  
  12. Former Alan Thicke home who sold for $3,525,000 on November 20, 2012.
  13. Haylie Duff (sister of Hilary Duff) which recently listed on October 9, 2012 for $1,799,000.  
  14. Miley Cyrus clan lives in this area. 
  15. Other residents include Ashley Tisdale, Kiefer Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Dweezil Zappa, valley native George Lopez, Brooke Burns, Lindsay Price, Jonathan Antin, Jennie Garth, David Leisure, Nile Niami, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Kirk Fogg, Markie Post, and the Jonas Brothers to name a few.
You can check out more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.  

Hal Levitt Designed Mid Century Modern Home Hits Encino Market

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 / No Comments
[Update January 22, 2014]: This home sold for $1,445,000 on October 11, 2013.

[Original Post]:
16061 Royal Mount Drive
3 Baths/4 Baths on 3,131 sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres built in 1968. The home is located in Encino and currently available for $1,495,000 which hit the market on August 26, 2013 and was last purchased on July 11, 1989 for $925,000. The home was designed by Hal Levitt (Levitt + Moss Architects) is best known for designing many homes for elite celebrities like Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Dean Martin, and Lionel Ritchie to name a few. He also designed the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas as well as the headquarters for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills. The listing description states:
Conceived and Designed by Renowned Architect Hal Levitt, whose work has been chronicled in the pages of Architectural Digest, sits this astounding Mid-Century Diamond in the rough high in the Royal Oaks hills above Encino. Large, drive on lot with private courtyard entry opens to original terrazzo style floors and crisp architectural lines. Floor-to-ceiling windows and massive glass sliders create the perfect indoor/outdoor flow and give way to a gorgeous backyard and pool with unique swim-up shower feature. Three bedrooms, including a large master with walk-in-closet and bath, are neatly divided on opposite ends of the home for privacy. Spacious eat-in kitchen opens to its own patio and garden. This is an architectural lover's dream - bring your contractor for restoration or remodel. Included are original plans for a second story addition created by Hal Levitt.
You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.



















Images couresty Peter Lorimer Group Estates