Saturday, August 27, 2011

Lulu Hlaffer Residence, Rufus Buck, Architect 1924

Storybook Tudor Style residence designed for Lulu Hlaffer in 1924 by Architect Rufus Buck. The house was featuered in "Day Dream Houses of Los Angeles", by Charles Jencks, c.1978, noting the "sinister, snaking timbers and creepy, upturned roof."

Located at 2574 Glendower Avenue in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Carnavon Way Streamline Moderne House c.1991

I haven't been able to find any details about this fascinating home, located just a few blocks away from my home. It is not listed in the Los Feliz Improvement Association Historical Survey nor are there records of a sale in the Multiple Listing Service. Nevertheless, I am pleased to publish the photo for the time being and will update you as I have more information. The building has a wonderful Streamline Moderne vibe, with its rounded towers, curving staircase and glass block entrance. Located at 3843 Carnavon Way in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Hunter House, Arthur H. Stibolt, Architect 1929

Architect Arthur Stibolt designed the 16-room mansion for contractor Donald L. Hunter in 1929. Built at the apex of the European revival period in Los Angeles, this imposing and largely unadulterated example of Tudor architecture is offered for the first time since 1950 for $1,595,000. Architectural expert J.R. Davidson of Keller Williams Larchmont has the listing. The main level is anchored by a grand, open-beamed living room with an adjoining lounge featuring original stained glass. The home is located at 3648 Shannon Road in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

2275 Ben Lomond Drive c.1928

Spanish Revival style houses in Southern California reached a pinnacle of success during the years leading up to "Black Tuesday", October 29, 1929, the day stock prices took a dramatic fall leading to the worldwide Great Depression. By 1930, according to the census taken that year, the Spanish Revival style house shown here was being rented to Louis and Ethel Ruppe for $125 a month! As late as 1998, the house was purchased for $470,000 (a fixer, according to the MLS listing). Quite a bargain by 2011 standards; homes of equal size and distinction easily command prices three times that amount.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

4623 Russell Avenue c.1988

Porthole windows, curving balconies and planters give this 11-unit apartment building located in Los Feliz a distinctive Streamline Moderne flair.

Lee Holtz Residence, Jno H. Fleming, Architect 1935

Architect Jno Fleming designed the house for Lee Holtz, an executive with the Southern California Gas Company in 1935. The 1931 Annual Report of the gas company lists Lee Holtz as General Superintendent of Manuracturing and Distribution of the company's Los Angeles operating headquarters located at 1700 Santa Fe Avenue. His house is located at 3500 Amesbury Road in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Monday, August 8, 2011

The House of the Seven Dwarves, Ben Sherwood, Contractor, 1931

Located near the original Disney Studios, these charming cottages built in 1931 are known by locals as 'The House of the Seven Dwarfs'. Consisting of eight half-timbered, steep-roofed small cottages built around a courtyard and anchored at the end by a Norman tower, the cottages exemplify the Storybook Architecture Style which flourished in Los Angeles in the 20's and 30's.

The House of the Seven Dwarfs is located at 2900-2912 1/2 Griffith Park Blvd. in Los Feliz.