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Maple Leaf Motel in Sherman Oaks Postcard

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 / 2 Comments


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1960s Aerial Woodland Hills Postcard

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Early 1900s Van Nuys Blvd Postcard

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Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys Postcard

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Neutra's Progressive Builders Home in North Hollywood Listed as Short Sale

Monday, November 17, 2014 / No Comments
Image courtesy Keller Williams
6338 Denny Avenue
3 Beds/2 Baths on 1,779 sqft on a total lot size of 7,382 sqft built in 1943. This home was part of a 14 home collection designed by world renowned architect Richard Neutra called Progressive Builders Home (You can read more about Neutra's work in the SFV here).  According to Elizabeth A.T. Smith's book, Blueprint for Modern Living: History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses):
"The coming of war temporarily halted private commissions, but heightened the need for war workers housing. Neutra was given the job of designing a whole block of Progressive Builder's Homes, erected in 1942 as part of a larger project for defense workers at the nearby Lockheed aircraft factory in Burbank. Modest versions of the crisp, pitched-roof format Neutra had begun to explore two years earlier, the fourteen completed Federal Housing Adminstration sponsored, detached dwellings featured bedrooms across the front with the living room running front to rear and opening integrally onto fetching garden patios."
This home is currently owned by the Leroy and Arisa Wiltse Family Trust who first purchased in December 1987 for $12,500 which is downright amazing. I am not sure how they acquired this home for so little when the average home in the SFV was going for at least $100K - $150K during that time. Its possible this was a foreclosure purchase or the home needed serious upgrading. So 27 years later, the home is offered as a short sale and again in need of repair for $440K. The only picture available is the one above so its hard to tell how much repair is needed and additionally how much has been altered beyond the original design for restoration purposes. But this could be a great opportunity to own of the few Progressive Builders Homes by Neutra for a cheap price. All other Neutra homes in original condition will fetch a pretty penny. 

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here

St. Joesph's Hospital in Burbank Postcard

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1980s Warner Brothers in Burbank Postcard

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1940's Burbank City Hall Postcard

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Public Service Department in Burbank Postcard

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Former Courtesy Dodge Reseda Dealership to become 254 Apartment Units

Friday, November 14, 2014 / No Comments
Top image courtesy Bing Maps, bottom image courtesy Google Maps
Image courtesy Century 21 Valley Properties
Another day, another apartment project in the SFV. Today's news is the demolition of the former Courtesy Dodge dealership at 6625 Reseda Blvd in Reseda to be converted into 254 apartment units with 7,691 sqft of commercial space on a total lot size of 2.511 acres. Also included are 436 parking spaces and 287 bicycle parking stalls which hopes to take advantage of the beautification project along the concrete LA River. 

The buyer is Metric Reseda LLC who purchased from the William Burns Family trust on July 26, 2013 for $5.25 million. I wonder if the Burns family are the original owners who started Courtesy Dodge. 

You can view more SFV Architecture and R.E. here.

95 Unit Elder Care Facility Coming to Sherman Way and De Soto

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Top image courtesy Google Maps, bottom image courtesy Bing Maps
Nothing new to report here. A 4-story, 95 -unit elder care facility on a 65,625 sqft or 1.51 acre lot at 20750 Sherman Way (near De Soto) across from the DMV is being proposed for development in Winnetka. 

The property was sold by the Southern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventist to the Winnetka Senior Apartments L.P. on July 26, 2013 for $2.3 million. 

Based on historical satellite images from favorite website, historicaerials.com, there was a structure on this property since the 50's which appears to be a ranch home that was demolished sometime in the 60's or 70's where it has remained vacant till this day. I can only wonder if there was some historical significance to this property. 


Images courtesy Historicaerials.com
You can view SFV Architecture and R.E. here

Celeb R.E.: Iggy Azalea and Nick Young Purchase Selena Gomez's Tarzana Renovated Home

Monday, November 10, 2014 / No Comments
Images courtesy The Agency
The always hilarious Your Mama at the Realestalker Variety revealed that the buyer of Selena Gomez's Tarzana home is today's hottest couple, Nick Young and Iggy Azalea (you can view more details about the posting here). I am not sure how the Realestalker got this info as it was not easy to find which was shielded behind a trust with Young's mother listed as the trustee and the trust named after a reference to MC Hammer. 

Young is a Los Angeles Laker who played high school ball at Reseda's Cleveland high school so this purchase is sort of like a homecoming. Azalea is an up and coming Australian rapper who has spent very little time in the SFV so she will need to adapt to the culture. 

Young and Azalea are constantly on the run between basketball games and touring so there might be small glimpses of the two hanging out at the local Cupids Hot Dogs, Chuck E Cheese, or IHOP during the off-seasons. In the meantime, you can catch some racy pics of the couple in a March 2014 GQ article

The couple, although not married, paid asking price of $3,450,000 on September 30, 2014 leaving Gomez with a $1,275,000 profit not factoring in commissions, taxes, and renovation expenses. Regardless of the expenses, that is one heck of a profit in roughly 3 years! Prior to the Tarzana home, Gomez was living in an Encino rental. After the Tarzana home, she purchased a Calabasas gated mansion. 

Prior to the Tarzana home, Nick Young was renting a Sherman Oaks home that made national headlines after he was robbed of $100K in jewelry, clothing, electronics, and special shoes in March 2014. I wasnt able to find the Sherman Oaks rental but I did find a Northridge/Porter Ranch home linked to Nick Young that was purchased on October 19, 2007 for $799K but I cannot confirm. 

On a side note, this home is directly across the street from the Dr. A.E. Abdun-Nur Residence designed by Paul Williams. Williams is an African-American architect best known for designing the LAX Airport Theme building. 

You can view the blog post for:
  1. Jonah Hill (incorrectly rumor) purchasing the Tarzana home here
  2. Gomez purchasing the Tarzana home here
  3. Gomez's former Encino home listing here
  4. Gomez's purchasing the Calabasas home here
  5. Gomez's listing of Tarzana home here
You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here.  

Celeb R.E.: Marc Anthony Lists Encino Home After Barely Owning for 18 Months

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[Update August 24, 2015]: Marc Anthony just listed his newly acquired Tarzana home for $4.35 million which can be read here

[Update August 6, 2015]: Marc Anthony sold his Encino home to NBA star JaVale McGee on April 24, 2015 for $2,405,000 which can be read here

[Original Post]:




Images courtesy Keller Williams
On April 23, 2013, Latin singer-songwriter, actor, and record producer, Marc Anthony, purchased an Encino mock-Med mini mansion in the Amestoy Estates area as revealed by TMZ and blogged here for $2.225 million. Flash forward 18 months and Anthony has had a change of heart and listed the home for $2.750 million on November 7, 2014. 

After comparing both listings, 2013 vs. 2014, the listing description is almost identical with minor edits. Overall, the home is the same with cosmetic changes like new flooring, paint, and fixtures. The listing description states that "over $300K in renovations" were made but the same comment was said when Anthony purchased in 2013. So I doubt that $300K in improvements were made after Anthony purchased aside from the cosmetic changes which probably cost $50K. Anthony is looking to gain $525K or 24% based on the current asking price. Has the market appreciated 24% in 18 months? I am not a RE expert so lets see what the market decides.

The home measures 5 Beds/6 Baths on 6,263 sqft on a total lot size of 0.41 acres built in 1988. The listing description states: 
Enter your entertainer's paradise. Tucked away behind gates and within a gated community is this gorgeous Spanish mansion. Over $300,000 in renovations have made this home an idyllic retreat. From the gorgeous hardwood floors to massive chandeliers to new electrical and plumbing no cost was spared. Enter into a grand foyer with soaring cathedral ceilings and impressive finishes. The home comes complete with 6 beds and 9 baths. The massive gourmet kitchen comes complete with commercial grade venting hood, SubZero Dual Fridges and Freezers, a Wolf Grill and Stove that would make a chef salivate. In the spacious master bed you can curl up by the fireplace or enjoy a cup of coffee on the balcony. The master bath is an absolute treat with a fireplace, dual steam showers, dual wash closets and dual vanities and, not to mention, every woman's dream. .. a store sized closet! Inquire ASAP!
Its not known why Anthony is selling but it could be related to a new court judgement handed down to him in June 2014 where his child support payments for two boys from his second wife, former Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, doubled from $13,400 to $26,800. Talk about a blow to the stomach! Prior to Torres, Anthony was married to Debbie Rosado where he had a daughter and adopted a son. After Torres, Anthony was married to Jennifer Lopez where they lived in Hidden Hills and had twins. Also in June 2014, their divorce was finalized with Lopez retaining physical custody of the twins. So I am wondering how much does Anthony pay in child support payments each month? $30K? $40K? $50K? 

I am guessing Anthony will stay in the SFV to be close to his children that is just speculation.

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here

Filming Locations: The Men (1950)

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The Men is a 1950 film directed by Fred Zinnemann. It tells the story of a World War II lieutenant, who is seriously injured in combat, and the struggles he faces as he attempts to re-enter society. It stars Marlon Brando in his feature film debut, Teresa Wright, and Everett Sloane. The movie was written by Carl Foreman who had previously scripted Champion and Home of the BraveAlthough not a commercial success, this film was notable for being Marlon Brando’s movie debut (Wikipedia).
The Men was shot entirely at the Birmingham Army hospital in Van Nuys which later became Birmingham high school located at 17000 Hayes Street Van Nuys. This was verified by IMDB and Life Magazine. Additionally, Life Magazine recently published never before seen images of Marlon Brando behind the scenes on set as he was preparing for this role. The film utilized 45 actual paraplegics from Birmingham hospital. 
One side note, this was Brando's first film which made him an instant star due to his great performance. He previously owned a Sherman Oaks home while his main home was up on Mulholland Highway. 
IMDB also mentioned that John Ford's ranch in Reseda was used for the swimming pool scenes which unfortunately doesnt show much. Ford's Ranch was named Field Photo Farm became a social club and drinking establishment for Ford's friends including paraplegics from nearby Birmingham Army Hospital. The Ranch was located at 18201 Calvert Street which unsurprisingly is filled with tract homes today. 
Since both the Hospital and Ranch dont exist today, it was hard to know which was which so I grabbed as many relevant screenshots as possible. However, below is a postcard of the hospital to give you an idea.
You can view more SFV Filming Locations here



















Not sure if these locations were in the SFV but wanted to include them anyway because they looked cool.