A trip down memory lane

For my first actual home post, I thought why not start out with one of the original homes of the Palos Verdes Project - the Gard Residence in PVE.  When the Palos Verdes Project was thrust forward by Vanderlip in the 1920s, the city planners were eager to have a few example homes to attract potential buyers and entice lot sales.  As a result, the PVE Art Jury approved several homes in the mid 1920s, one of the more grand of which is featured below - the Gard residence.

(Source: Palos Verdes library)

Located at 2780 Via Campesina, PVE, the Earl Gard Residence was the first real 'estate' built in Palos Verdes.  It was what Vanderlip and the early architects of the Palos Verdes Project had envisioned to dot the hillside of the grand pensinula. Designed in 1927 by Kirtland Cutter, it won the notable architecture award by the Art Jury that year.  

(Source: Palos Verdes library)

Measuring 13,041 square feet on an estate-sized 1.3 acres, the home has views of the ocean, Malaga Cove, and the Palos Verdes Country Club.  The home today remains largely intact.  Very difficult - nearly impossible actually - to see from the street, guarded from view by tall, dense hedges.  Thanks to the wonders of technology we can see, as of 2008, the current owners have made some modifications to the rear of the home.  The current owners bought the home in 1992 for $2.3M and renovated the home in 1993.

(Source: Bing Maps)

You can notice from this shot, when compared to the first image, that the owners have added an addition over the southern terrace, a second floor walkway above the original arches (including additional windows and doors), and have also added a turret on the northern edge of the home.

(Source: Bing Maps)

(Source: Bing Maps)

 It is an amazing house to be sure - one of my absolute favorites in all of Palos Verdes and a fine example of Spanish Colonial (Revival) architecture.

KEY STATS

Location: Valmonte, PVE
Style: Spanish
Year built: 1927 / 1993
Architect: Kirtland Cutter
Square footage: 13,041
Lot size: 1.3 acres