Get your shovel! You are going to dig this....


The Wildwood Project

This is a great opportunity for an investor, builder or developer, but can also be an interesting alternative for a home buyer that just can't find the right house.

I recently listed 4 hillside lots in Eagle Rock on Wildwood Drive, a gorgeous winding street peppered with trees and lovely mid-century homes. The panoramic vistas lord over the valley.

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The scope of the project is up to you.  Buy all four lots and build four individual homes, create a small lot subdivision or just pick your favorite lot and build your dream house.

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This is a very unique project as much of the tedious work has already been done with the city.  The seller purchased 5 lots, tying 2 together to make 4 individual parcels ranging from 5,000-10,000 Square Feet, he got an exception to move the existing oak trees and has pulled ALL permits for 1544 Wildwood.

His intention was to build the four homes rendered here:

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There are plans for all 4 homes which were designed by noted Chilean architect, Juan Pablo Rozas. They broke ground on two of the lots, completing excavation, retaining walls and caissons before putting the project on hold. You can take it from here.

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The property at 1544 Wildwood (pictured below) actually comes with plans, reports AND permits already paid for.

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The lots are priced as follows:
1540 Wildwood     4,800 SF     $165,000
1544 Wildwood     5,380 SF     $195,000
1552 Wildwood     6,795 SF     $99,000
1556 Wildwood   10,094 SF     $150,000

Map It

If this sounds like a project for you or someone you know, please email or call me anytime at: (310) 991-3808. I have the plans at my office if you would like to go over them in person.







Simple. Elegant. Refined. Buy this Silver Lake house now!


1973 Redesdale Avenue, 90039

Another Josef Van der Kar, AIA hit the market this weekend. This wonderful Silver Lake home exemplifies the renowned architect’s point of view… And by point of view, I mean aesthetically, not politically.  For an interesting read about Van der Kar’s amazing connection to cold-war-era politics, click here.



Purchased for just $275,000 by its current owner in 1995 it is listed today at $1,070,000 after what seems to be extensive renovations, repairs, care and a devotion to Van der Kar’s original vision for the home.



With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 1,840 SF it sits back from the street overlooking the reservoir. The 8,451 SF lot is being maximized for true California outdoor living.



 Offered by Barry Gray of Deasy Penner & Partners

Are you in the market for a home?  If so, give me a call at 310-991-3808 or shoot me an email anytime.


MINTZ

Community Theatre

I’ve been a fan of Dan Bern for years. If you are not familiar with his music, I urge you to check him out.  He is an amazingly prolific songwriter possessing an unusual ability to weave comedy into poignant lyrics with a voice & attitude akin to Bob Dylan. Why is this relevant to eastsidedigs?  Because I dig Echo Park, and I now have one more reason to espouse its virtues.

Dan.

I had the rare opportunity this week to sit in a comfortable chair, surrounded by other Dan Bern fans in a room decorated slightly more quirkily than, but in the same vein as, the rec-rooms I recall from the 70s.  The venue was wedged into a commercial space in Echo Park next to a very cool frame store. In this uncanny space, I was treated to an amazing acoustic set, sans amps and mics. Dan performed a few feet away from me with an awesome group called Common Rotation. 

Common Rotation

Being a fan, I get an email every once in a while from Dan’s headquarters alerting me to his concert schedule.  It seems that even though he lives in LA, he doesn’t often play here.  I missed his last performance at the Bootleg, but noticed that he was going to be showing up at this enigmatic venue: The Echo Country Outpost. I arrived early and, to my surprise, found a no-cover, no frills room filled with chairs  and  couches from just as many yard sales.  I was offered a beer at no charge and took my seat.  Where the hell was I?  No line?  No duchey door guy? No cover?  Free beer?  Friendly, engaging people lacking the typical vapid, annoying attitude you might have also have come to expect from our city… Utopia?  No.  Echo Park... If you have the opportunity, go see a show here.

It was in incredible evening.  I left the event bolstered by a feeling that there is an unusual sense of community developing in EP.  Once known for its roughhewn edges, it’s now considered one of the up-and-coming hoods in our city.  Gone are the days when you would only go to Echo Park to see a baseball game and then just as quickly get the hell out!

Echo Park: It’s not just for baseball anymore!  Now you can push your stroller down the street, see live music for free, eat well and feel safe.  I was at The Echo a few Sundays ago... during the day!  There were several decent bands performing... and young children running through the crowd.  


If you are in the market to buy and haven’t considered Echo Park, you might be surprised by the steadily increasing home prices.  Take a walk on Sunset near Alvarado on any night of the week.  The energy is palpable.  The feeling of community is growing.  The neighborhood is alive and vibrant!  Don’t be surprised if you get back in your car and think, “hey… I want to live here!”

As for Dan Bern, Common Rotation and the Echo Country Outpost, put them all on your to-do list. 

Of course if you want to add Echo Park to your home search, I can help you with that!  Give me a call or email anytime! (310) 991-3808

Grand Theft Abode- Steal this house!

  

2190 Talmadge St. in Los Feliz

It’s called “The Gogol House, 1939” according to the listing.  Raphael Soriano is the architect responsible.  At $1,195,000 this 2,779 SF home built in 1939 could be yours! The current owner purchased it for $915K in 2003 (over asking).


 
Soriano was an influential figure in the evolution of “mid-century” architecture; home design practices and their implementation.  This is a great example of his early work.

 
It is important to note that he is a fellow Trojan, having graduated from USC in 1934… FIGHT ON!




What do you get for your million-two?  3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, decks, glass and a great pedigree to hang on your wall!
 



The listing rightfully states that this is “a rare opportunity to own an important residence by an iconic, mid-century modern architect.”  
 

 
 
Offered by Deasy Penner & Partners



If you want to see it, send me an email or call me at: (310) 991-3808

MINTZ 

What's the definition of Buff? Burleigh! Oh... you can throw a Hensman in there too!

I had the pleasure of spending time in this gorgeous, very "original" mid-century "tour de force" built by Buff & Hensman. 820 Burliegh Drive in Pasadena


The Norton House, built in 1954 is an iconic example of Buff & Hensman's work at the time and is exemplary of the contribution their firm made to home design and architecture in the 1950s and beyond.  


Available again after being purchased by it's current owner almost exactly 1 year ago it is listed $15,000 below it's selling price in April 2010. Offered at $1,295,000, it will sell quickly.  


It's just shy of 1900 SF with 3 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, but the open floor plan, the indoor/outdoor flow, abundance of light and the lush landscape beyond its enormous walls of glass makes this house feel huge!



The little things... like this Picasso-esque mosaic above the range and the original cork floors and those unforgiving floor to ceiling windows that will not crumble into a thousand pieces if you walk into one by accident, but rather gut you from stem to stern (be careful, I almost did it) make this home a veritable time capsule.


It's all about the reveal! You park in a modest carport above the property. Walking down into the enclave provides a feeing of privacy. Partially through your short walk the property reveals its striking landscaping which is entirely centered around an actual flowing stream (water diverted from a nearby lake).  There are fish. There is a bridge.  The grounds are lush, verdant and make for a wonderful experience, appreciated inside and outside the home.




I think that what I like most about this property is that it is introspective and private. What I mean is that most homes are built on the high ground of a property, overseeing all  that surrounds it, striving to make the most of a view even if there is not much of a view to begin with.  This house brings you inside its own little world.  The only view you need is of your own property!  Do you want it?

Offered by Dilbeck Realtors

If you want to see this property, shoot me an email or call me at (310) 991-3808.

Gregory House? Wait... No... Gregory Ain's houses! 3 of em!

3 Gregory Ain designed properties have come on the market in the past few weeks. 

2845 Avenel St. # 1/2
A condo in the esteemed Avelel Housing Project in Silver Lake. Built in 1947 the unit is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom 1,114 SF mid-century showcase.  It is meticulous but expensive. Hitting the streets at $729,000 with a $300/month HOA, you better have some cash in the bank.  At $654/SF it might not appraise.

Listed by: Crosby Doe Associates inc.

Then there is 2769 Highview Ave. in Altadena. This home is part of Ain's Park Planned Homes Development. It is a SFR with 3 bedrooms and 1.75 bathrooms.  The house is 1,344 SF and sits atop a 7,280 SF lot. Also thoughtfully, tastefully and conscientiously renovated & updated it is priced modestly at $619,000 which pencils out to a more reasonable $461/SF. It comes down to where you want to live. Am I right?


Listed by: Prudential California Realty

A few weeks ago, another Gregory Ain residence became available. 3814 Moor St. in Mar Vista. Built in 1948 and having been seriously "lived in," It comes replete with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and all of the original "charm" you could ask for.  Weighing in at 1,414 SF with a 6,489 SF lot. it has potential.  It's a fixer, so bring your vision... and a broom.  It's listed at $649,500.

Listed by: Beach Equities

Of course if you want to see these or any other homes you are interested in, feel free to  shoot me an email or give me a call: 310.991.3808



Don't Cry Wolff!

2400 Carman Crest Dr. 

Thornton Ladd's "Wolff House," 1958, came on the market today. It's one of those situations that you just can't finance.  You pretty much need cash to buy this house, because at $1,995,000 with the public records stating that the house is 1,810 SF, the price of this 2 bedroom, 1.75 Bathroom home is north of $1,100/SF.  I don't see it appraising with any lender anywhere near that price.  But really... what do they know?  This house is amazing and will be a jewel in the crown of some smart collector.

The listing calls it aptly, "a floating glass pavilion over water."  With spectacular light, soaring ceilings and an understanding of the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, it is an iconic piece of modern architecture that must be evaluated on merit, not just comps pulled by an appraiser from the Inland Empire value.

Offered by Rob Johnson of Rodeo Realty

If you want to see this property, please call me at (310) 991-3808 or email me at: mark@mintzRE.com







BACK FLIP! Sweet Digs in Highland Park.

New on the market today is 5049 San Rafael Ave. in HP.  Another great Better Shelter flip! Built in 1922, the charming cottage has been nicely "re-envisioned." and updated, making it ready for sale.


Listed at $489K.  Purchased for $225K in September of last year.  Nice return!


3 Bedrooms & 3 Bathrooms in 1,482 SF on a 4,791 SF lot.


Offered by Brock Real Estate.


Let me know if you want to see it!

MINTZ

3813 Rhonda Vista Pl. In Los Feliz. Sporting Wood!

It's all about the wood!

New on the market today is this ultra contemporary Los Feliz architectural "statement" with very sharp lines, a sterile outward point of view and an ominous exterior.  But there seems to be a wonderful inner core to the home.  The warm tones and softness of the abundant wood and massive walls of glass make it approachable as a house and not just a monolithic piece of art. $2,495,000 get's you 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 4,106 SF on a huge street to street lot! Offered by Crosby Doe Associates.

If you want to see it, let me know!

MINTZ