Time for a quick change - From Spanish to Cape Cod

While the Palos Verdes Project was initially envisioned as an American version of the French Riviera - an oasis for the well-to-do, dotted with magnificent Mediterranean homes along its majestic coastline, it didn't ultimately end up exactly that way.  As a result of the Great Depression and a number of other factors, strict adherence to certain architectural styles was relaxed and the PVE Art Jury allowed additional styles including Cape Cod and American Colonial in certain areas of the Peninsula.  Fast forward 80 years and here we are with the present day Peninsula, a mix of homes both in size and in style, ranging from beautiful 1920s-era Spanish estates to more modest 1950s-era ranch style homes and everything in between.

The Caslin Residence. Perched on the bluffs above Lunada Bay, lies a very nice 5,467 square foot Cape Cod home designed by Doug Leach and built in 2007 on a generous 18,880 square foot lot.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, Leach is one of the more prolific architects in the region and is known primarily for his Mediterranean and Cape Cod style homes.

(Source: NJC)

The home sits well on the lot, although I generally prefer the garage be hidden from view or at least more appropriately camouflaged with the rest of the facade.  The home replaces an older single-story home, likely built in the mid-1950s as evidenced from earlier aerial shots.

(Source: Bing Maps)


As you can see from the image above, not much has changed in terms of the layout of the home and its position (driveway and front door) on the 100x197 lot.  In fact, a later aerial shot shows the pool basically untouched in the new home.

 (Source: Bing Maps)

(Source: Bing Maps)

Home records indicate the current owners purchased the house in 1987 for $540,000.  The house is quite a nice example of Cape Cod, but the PV purist in me feels this style is out of place on the Peninsula.  I long for the original designs of the Palos Verdes Project planners that envisioned a truly unique retreat for the well-to-do residents of Southern California - a place unique in its identity and feel.  The sort of sensibility you get from a place like Carmel-by-the-Sea.

KEY STATS

Location: Lunada Bay, PVE
Style: Cape Cod
Year built: 2007
Architect: Doug Leach
Square footage: 5,467
Lot size: 18,880 (100x197)