Celeb R.E.: Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee Lists Longtime Winnetka Home

Celeb R.E.: Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee Lists Longtime Winnetka Home

Thursday, June 18, 2015 / 2 Comments

Joyner-Kersee image courtesy Wikipedia/Erik van Leeuwen

Images courtesy Park Regency Realty

Fresh on the MLS is the longtime home of Jackie Joyner-Kersee on June 17, 2015 for $640K in the quiet and friendly neighborhood of Winnetka sometimes confused for Canoga Park in the media. 

From the early 80's to early 90's, Joyner-Kersee was a bad ass in the long jump and heptathlon with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze Olympic medals in addition to 5 gold World Championships and 1 gold in the Pan American games.  She currently holds (at the time of this writing) the world record in heptathlon along with the top six all time best results in addition to holding the second best long jump time. Joyner-Kersee has been voted the greatest female athlete of the 20th century and all time by Sports Illustrated.

From the SFVblog vault

Although she was born in East St. Louis, Illinois and graduated from the local high school, she graduated from UCLA earning several accolades and awards. Somehow she managed to find her way to the Canoga Park/Winnetka area through her then coach and husband, Bob Kersee. An LA Times article mentions that they purchased a "Canoga Park home in 1988 but sold it in 1993 to move Joyner-Kersee's home base back to East St. Louis." Based on property records, that is not entirely true as the home featured in this post is still currently owned by Joyner-Kersee.  

In terms of SFV connections, Bob graduated from CSUN with a masters and coached the track team including Florence Griffith Joyner who was another decorated Olympic athlete and was the sister-in-law of Jackie through her brother Al Joyner who was also an Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump. 

Moving onto the house which measures 4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,425 sqft on a total lot size of 6,042 sqft built in 1988. I am not sure of the purchase price but I believe Joyner-Kersee purchased this home brand new in 1988. This area was previously known for the Charles Weeks Colonies that managed to remain mostly undeveloped up until the 80's. Prior to 1988, its possible they were living elsewhere in Canoga Park/Winnetka or possibly in Van Nuys but I cannot confirm. The listing description states:

Spacious 4 bedrooms and 3 bathroom, 2 story home featuring: a big master bedroom with a private bathroom and 2 walk-in closets. Spanish tiled roof. Large kitchen with tile counter tops and floors. Real Hardwood floors in the upper bedrooms, hallways and family room. Marble floors in the entry and lower level bathroom. Berber carpets in the lower bedroom and living room. Also vaulted ceilings in the living room & dining room as well as the master bedroom. This home also features a wet bar, an all glass patio, 2 car garage and a laundry room. This massive home is great for a large family and won't stay on the market long. Property doe's need some repairs to plumbing and other general areas to be move in ready. 

I am not sure how Joyner has been using this property over the years as an LA Times article mentions that the Kersees would train from January to June in Canoga Park and return back to the home base in East St. Louis. So its also possible this was a rental home when her career ended. 

In terms of the Kersee's current location, they live in a Ballwin, MO home (shown below) measuring 4 Beds/3.5 Baths on 3,234 sqft on a total lot size of 0.43 acres built in 1990 which was purchased brand new in September 1990 for $511,398. The Kersee's also own a 2,545 sqft plot of land in East St. Louis next to an "unusual building in Lincoln Park."

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Hate to see a living legend leave the SFV especially in Winnetka so hopefully they are relocating within the SFV. 

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here. 

Celeb R.E.: Guns N' Roses Drummer and SFV Native, Steven Adler, Calling Studio City Home

Celeb R.E.: Guns N' Roses Drummer and SFV Native, Steven Adler, Calling Studio City Home

Thursday, May 7, 2015 / No Comments

Adler picture courtesy Wikipedia/Angela George 

Images courtesy Berkshire Hathaway HomeService

Back on February 20, 2015, the always informative Lauren Beale at LA Times Hot Property revealed that former Guns N' Roses drummer and co-songwriter, Steven Adler, purchased a Studio City home on January 27, 2015 for $1,337,500. 

Adler originally started with Guns N' Roses but was later fired in 1990 due to his heroin addiction which would continue to haunt him till this day. He suffered a stroke in 1996 after taking speedball which is a cocktail of heroin and cocaine used intravenously. His story and fight has been televised on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew appearing in 2008 (2nd season) and 2011 (fifth season). Despite being fired from the band, Adler formed his own bands although less successful than GNR. 

The home measures 3 Beds/2.5 Baths on 2,724 sqft on a total lot size of 4,924 sqft built in 1942. The listing description states: 

Carmel Highlands In Studio City! This magical landmark home sits at the top of Sunswept with commanding views over the Valley and mountains beyond. Expansive frontage and 8 car off street parking. This home has been re-engineered and re-imagined by current owners to the highest standards. A unique floor plan offers a gracious entry opening to living room w vaulted ceilings, fireplace and formal dining area opening to outdoor dining deck. A true chef's kitchen showcases Viking stainless appliances, custom cabinetry and a farmhouse sink. An adjacent laundry/Costco/Hobbyist room has abundant storage and prep space. 2 master suites are featured, one with cobblestone fireplace, sitting room and vaulted ceilings overlooking the stunning views and mature oak trees. The other suite has a viewing deck, designer bath w spa/soaking tub and large custom walk in closet. Downstairs is a third bedroom or potential Media room w another spacious bath and french doors to brick patio, spa, deck and flat grassy yard shaded by mature trees. Oak floors, custom built-ins/woodwork and amazing storage all enhance this remodeled move in ready property. Truly a one of a kind home in one of Studio City's most convenient close to all locations.

One less publicized fact that I learned about Adler is that he is actually a SFV native although he was born in Cleveland, Ohio.  When his father left his mother, Deanna, she decided to move to the SFV where she married, Melvin Adler, and renamed Steven Adler whose original name was Michael Coletti. Steven didnt stay long in the SFV as he was forced to live with his grandparent's house in Hollywood at the age of 13 due to his bad behavior. Adler was born on January 22, 1965 which means he was living in the SFV up until 1978.

I tried to track down Adler's whereabouts in the SFV including schools attended and the only location I could find is his parent's house in Winnetka (shown above) which was rather surprising. The house measures 3 Beds/2 Baths on 1,500 sqft on a total lot size of 9,750 sqft. I dont know when Steve's parents purchased this house but I know they sold on February 25, 1988. 

Assuming that Adler was living in this house during his childhood, he most likely attended Limerick Avenue Elemenatary, John A Sutter or Ernest Lawrence Middle schools, and Grover Cleveland or Chatsworth High schools if he was not going to private school. What is known is that Adler did attend Fairfax High School with bandmate, Saul "Slash" Hudson. 

However, an article with the Northridge-Chatsworth Patch from April 2, 2011 interviewing Adler stated that he "spent some years in the Studio City/North Hollywood area and recalls going to Burbank Boulevard Elementary School" so my research above could be wrong. The article also states that the interview took place in Adler's backyard near Ventura Blvd but I was not able to track that location. 

Image courtesy Century 21 Hilltop

Image courtesy Team Spirit Realty

Going back to Adler's parents, after they sold the Winnetka house, they moved to the Porter Ranch Estates gated community near Tampa and Sesnon purchasing two separate homes. The first home (first picture shown above) was purchased on June 22, 1988 for $184K which measures 4 Beds/3 Baths on 1,746 sqft on a total lot size of 4,339 sqft built in 1987. They later sold on September 21, 1988 for $267K and purchased a nearby home for $237K on Sep 16, 1988 (second picture shown above) that measures 3 Beds/2 Baths on 1,934 sqft on a total lot size of 5,544 sqft built in 1988. This home was later sold on May 17, 1996 for $225K and moved to Las Vegas living in a variety of properties. Ten years later, Adler's step-dad, Melvin, passed away in 2006. And a few years later, Adler's mom, Deanna, lost her Vegas homes to foreclosure. So I wonder if mom is living with Steven now. 

Speaking of Guns N' Roses, there is a connection to the SFV with the band recording their influential debut album, Appetite for Destruction, in Winnetka's Rumbo Recorders as well as Tarzana's Can-Am Recorders. Additionally, back in 2012, Richard Fortus, who joing GNR in 2001 short sold his Woodland Hills home in 2012. 

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here. 

Half Acre Lot on Mason Planned for Subdivision of 3 Homes

Half Acre Lot on Mason Planned for Subdivision of 3 Homes

Thursday, January 29, 2015 / No Comments

The property located at 7814 Mason Avenue in Winnetka was already approved for subdivision of 3 homes back on October 17, 2008 but I wasnt blogging at that time so didnt know about it. The owner has requested some modifications to original subdivision request today which is why I am discussing it for the first time. The home measures 2 Beds/1 Baths on 1,155 sqft on a total lot size of 0.45 acres built in 1954. The home was last purchased on October 22, 2009 for $338,000 by Dung Vuong and And Luong. The previous owner purchased for a whopping $615K back during the crazy days on May 23, 2007. There is nothing historic about this property and its not one of the original Charles Weeks Colony farms as those were first started in the 20's. But it sure is an interesting property to look at when driving down Mason. But like everything else that will all change in the near future. 

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

Mason 3 Homes

Filming Locations: American Beauty (1999)

Filming Locations: American Beauty (1999)

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / No Comments

American Beauty is a 1999 American comedy-drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, an office worker who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). Annette Bening co-stars as Lester's materialistic wife, Carolyn and Thora Birch plays their insecure daughter, Jane. Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper and Allison Janney also feature. The film has been described by academics as a satire of American middle class notions of beauty and personal satisfaction; analysis has focused on the film's explorations of romantic and paternal love, sexuality, beauty, materialism, self-liberation and redemption (Wikipedia).

You can view more SFV Filming Locations here. 

American Beauty was shot in Los Angeles which has been discovered by Seeing-Stars.com, The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations, and IMDB.com Two of the known locations were shot in the SFV as described below. 

The "Open House" where realtor Carolyn Burnham (Annette Benning) shows the property is located at 22421 Collins Street Woodland Hills 91367. IMDB incorrectly states this location as Chatsworth. Across the street where a competing realtor is also selling a home with the distinctive A-frame design is located at 22430 Collins Street. 

Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) purchases a fast food lunch from "Mr. Smileys" and later ends up working there as a teller. Spacey attended Chatsworth High School so this must have felt like a pseudo homecoming. The fast food restaurant is actually a Carl's Jr. located at 20105 Saticoy Street Winnetka CA 91306.  

And the trailer:

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

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

Friday, November 14, 2014 / No Comments

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. 

95 Unit Elder Care Facility Winnetka

6.2 Acres of Undeveloped Land In Winnetka To Become Massive Housing Tract

6.2 Acres of Undeveloped Land In Winnetka To Become Massive Housing Tract

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 / No Comments

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Winnetka Neighborhood Council

What about my tacos?

Back on March 4, 2014, the Department of City Planning held a hearing (see below) for any comments or concerns regarding the proposal of a new housing tract at 8544 - 8654 Winnetka Avenue in Winnetka just south of Parthenia Street by a group known as WH Winnetka 60, LLC. The proposal calls for the demolition of one single story home (more on that home later below) to build 68 two-story residences over 272,844 sqft or 6.2 acre site which is currently subdivided into about 3 half-acre and 5 one acre lots. There is also mention of two protected trees on this site.

8544 - 8654 Winnetka Avenue

This is possibly one if not the last large parcels of contiguous land available (especially after the home demo) in the SFV that I thought would forever be this way because it simply remained undeveloped up until this time. Or was it? 

I reviewed historical satellite pics (shown below) from my favorite site, historicaerials.com and found that this plot of land appeared to contain 1 acre farms that were left over from the Charles Weeks days in the 1930s. Weeks setup 1 acre farms in Winnetka with chicken coops that were designed for the owners to live in the home while generating income from the land. Well, that all worked well until the depression hit. It appears from the historical satellite images that some of these plots were being utilized up until 2005 when it was all demolished except for the one remaining single story home which also has chicken coops as broken down further below. [Update March 3, 2015]: This property was formerly known as Menary Farms by Linda Menary which is best described in a August 6, 1996 LA Times article titled Five Green Acres: A Pair of Agrarian Holdouts Try to Keep the Valley's Rural Roots Alive by Eric Slater. [Update April 14, 2015]: Menary also owned the Reseda Petting Zoo and Farm which is now being developed into a private school.

In 1952, there appears to be homes on the now empty plots. 

Same in 1959. 

In 1972, it looks like possibly the top two plots are empty. 

In 1977, it looks like two more plots are cleared with one remaining in the middle. 

By 1980, the top plot of land is completely cleared. 

However, by 2003, there appears to be some use possibly as a storage yard. 

By 2005, all plots are cleared aside from today's remaining home. 

The city planning commission later met on April 24 with some modifications which looks to be 5 single family homes and 59 detached residential condominiums as shown in the concept map at the very top. I am guessing development will be happening soon. So get ready for more traffic along an already busy Winnetka Avenue, I hope the planners took into consideration the traffic getting out of this housing tract being extremely close to a busy intersection. Something also tells me there will be less seats available at the Winnetka Theatre. 

The last remaining home from the Charles Weeks era with the chicken coops in the background. 

I broke down each parcel below with more detailed info. Aside from the single home on this plot, all the other parcels were owned by a Living Trust controlled by Harry and Lillian Grossman and appears to have transferred to Harry Grossman. What makes this more complicated is it appears that at one point in time some of the parcels were owned by Bencion and Betty Jakobovits which resulted in some kind of a court case that was resolved in 2012. I need a real estate attorney to understand all this so its possible I misinterpreted something. However this maybe could explain why no development took place for a long time due to pending litigation. At any rate, I hate to see the last vestiges of the old valley disappear. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps and Propertyshark

1. 8544 Winnetka Ave measures 19,138 sqft last purchased on February 21, 1990 for $245,000.  
2. 8600 Winnetka Ave measures 19,140 sqft last purchased on June 8, 1988 for $180,000.
3. 8612 Winnetka Ave measures 19,141 sqft with a home that was built in 1933 measuring 976 sqft with 2 Beds/1 Baths and appears to be a home representative of the Charles Weeks colony with original chicken coops. The home is owned by Raymond and Virginia Ritchea who purchased it a long time ago because the purchase date and price is unknown. 
4. Next parcel ID# 2782011005 (no address) measures 47,177 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
5. Next parcel ID# 2782011026 (8620 - 8630 Winnetka) measures 40,479 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
6. Next parcel ID# 2782011003 (8640 - 8642 Winnetka) measures 46,926 sqft that was last purchased for $275,000 on August 13, 2012. 
7. Next parcel ID# 2782011002 (8646 - 8654 Winnetka) measures 40,348 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
8. Next parcel ID# 2782011001 (8646 - 8654 Winnetka?) measures 40,495 sqft that was last purchased on August 13, 2012 for $1,205,000.

My attempt at panoramic pictures: 

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.