Before the area around Haskell Avenue and Rinaldi Street became an established Granada Hills neighborhood, it was promoted as Granada Cove—a new Pridecrest Homes development offering air-conditioned ranch houses, landscaped yards and modern kitchens.
This vintage real-estate postcard captures one of Granada Cove’s original homes when the development was still new. The low-slung ranch house features a broad shake roof, board-and-batten siding, a prominent brick chimney and an attached two-car garage—details that remain recognizable throughout the surrounding neighborhood today.
Pridecrest Homes Comes to Granada Hills
The back of the postcard identifies Granada Cove as one of several developments promoted by Pridecrest Homes. The company was also advertising Oak Canyon Cove in Covina and custom-built homes in Beverly Hills.
Pridecrest described Granada Cove as being conveniently located at Haskell and Rinaldi, with three- and four-bedroom floor plans, family rooms and two complete bathrooms. Prices on the postcard began at $19,500.
The sales copy emphasized how complete the homes were for the period. Wall-to-wall carpeting, air conditioning, fenced and landscaped yards, sprinklers, window draperies and a “deluxe dream kitchen” were promoted as included features. Special builder financing reportedly began with $1,000 down for qualified buyers.
What Buyers Received for $22,950
Granada Cove newspaper advertisements from the spring of 1958 provide additional detail. By April, the development was promoting a closeout of its second unit, with approximately 1,600 square feet of living space.
- Three or four bedrooms and two full bathrooms
- A 16-by-20-foot family room
- Covered patio and fireplace
- Electric kitchen with dishwasher and disposal
- Forced-air heat and air conditioning
- Heavy shake roof and board-and-batten exterior
- Landscaping, fencing and sprinklers
- Television wiring and “silent switches”
The advertised closeout price was $22,950, with monthly payments beginning at $107. The difference from the postcard’s $19,500 starting price may reflect a larger floor plan, later pricing or a more completely equipped home.
“Trade In Your Present Home”
One of Granada Cove’s most unusual promotions invited buyers to trade in their existing houses. The builder claimed it could accept a home regardless of its age, equity, financing, location or condition.
Advertisements promised no waiting for the old home to sell and claimed that buyers using the trade-in program could purchase without bringing additional cash. Those without a trade were offered terms as low as 5 percent down.
Granada Cove in the Valley Times
Granada Cove Today
Nearly seven decades later, the streets around Haskell and Rinaldi are shaded by mature trees and filled with homes that have been remodeled, expanded or altered over time. Even so, many of Granada Cove’s original ranch houses remain identifiable by their long rooflines, attached garages, board-and-batten details and prominent masonry chimneys.
The postcard preserves a moment when Granada Cove was not yet an established neighborhood, but a carefully marketed vision of modern Valley living awaiting its first residents.
Sources: Vintage Pridecrest Homes postcard; Valley Times advertisements dated April 19, May 31 and June 7, 1958; present-day Google Street View imagery.
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