tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80971015849864942252024-03-12T21:24:18.184-07:00The Homes of Palos VerdesA blog dedicated to the history and homes of the charming Palos Verdes Peninsula in beautiful Southern California.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-80961203002523326732017-03-09T15:29:00.003-08:002017-03-09T15:29:56.363-08:00Follow me on Instagram instead!Quick update: I don't know how often I'll be able to update this blog, but I have started to update my Instagram which is much easier to do on a regular basis (especially since there's no longer a mobile app for blogger). Check me out on Instagram: <b>homesofpalosverdes</b>.<br />
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P.S. Apologies to those of you that have sent me emails. I hadn't checked the account in years and only recently saw the messages.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-17089110595370486612013-03-18T13:09:00.001-07:002013-03-18T13:09:46.301-07:00Action required - Palos Verdes Estates on alert!A note to all my readers - this is a slight departure from my usual posts, but one that I thought was worthwhile. The City Council and Homes Association of Palos Verdes Estates is considering the approval of a zoning change to formerly City-owned parkland from designated open space to buildable/residential. I for one am worried that if this goes through, it may dramatically alter the character of the city for future generations by setting a slippery slope precedent that would permit development out of character with the spirit of PVE. If you agree, <b>I would encourage you to write the PVE City Council: <a href="mailto:citycouncil@pvestates.org">citycouncil@pvestates.org</a></b><br />
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Let's have this....<br />
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and not that:<br />
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Here's a recap of the situation from the Daily Breeze article (emphasis added) (<a href="http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22791698/pve-city-council-denies-familys-request-convert-open">http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22791698/pve-city-council-denies-familys-request-convert-open</a>)<br />
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<i>
Palos Verdes Estates denies family's request to convert open space to residential</i></h1>
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<span class="author vcard"><span class="fn">By Mary Scott Staff Writer<br />
mscott@pvnews.com</span></span><span class="source-org vcard"></span></div>
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Updated: 03/14/2013 04:06:46 PM PDT</div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">A wealthy couple in Palos Verdes Estates several months ago easily succeeded in obtaining the city-owned parkland surrounding their sprawling property, but their desire to fence it in and build stuff on it is proving a much tougher battle.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">The Palos Verdes Estates City Council this week denied Robert and Delores Luglianis' controversial application to rezone their privately owned parkland from open space to residential. But the issue isn't dead yet.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;">The 1.7-acre swath, which wraps around their property at 900 Via Panorama, was once city-owned parkland. It is now under their ownership because of a deal struck last year among the city, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the Palos Verdes Homes Association.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">The couple now wants to rezone the parcel so they can add accessory structures - such as a sports court, gazebo and barbecue. The Luglianis also want to erect fencing around the property to prohibit public access on the once-public park. In addition, they want after-the-fact permits for an illegally built series of retaining walls that are higher than what the city allows.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">At Tuesday night's meeting, City Attorney Christi Hogin said the rezoning was part of the negotiation in the multiparty deal. But neighbors, who feel cheated by the deal, are not happy.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">"No rezoning. No buildings. No fences. No walls," said John Harbison, a neighbor. "We all know what open space means <span style="font-size: 10pt;">and it's not any of those things. "</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">The council still plans to discuss other options for permitting the retaining walls and accessory structures, although it has not yet set a date for doing so.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">As for the deal, it was essentially a land swap. The family made a $1.5 million donation to the school district, thereby ending a drawn-out lawsuit between the district and the Palos Verdes Homes Association over whether the district should be able to sell an acre of open-space land to housing developers.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">The gift satisfied both parties by providing funding to the schools and assurances to the association that the parcel - which is located near Palos Verdes High School, several miles away from the property that surrounds the Lugliani estate - would remain as open space.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>The deal - orchestrated behind closed doors by the city and homes association - also forgave the Luglianis for their years of encroaching on the city's parkland.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>The city's fear and the driving force behind their involvement in the four-party agreement was that if the school district won an appeal in the case, it would have eliminated the deed restrictions preventing housing development on all the district-owned properties in Palos Verdes Estates.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">"When this came to us ... we thought we were doing the right thing," Mayor George Bird said. "We saw the benefit to all. "</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Residents say the deal should have never happened in the first place, especially without their knowledge. They also complain that it only rewarded the couple's bad behavior and sets a bad precedent.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>"One of the winners is the homeowner who repeatedly, illegally encroached," said resident Richard Fay.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Hogin said when the city entered the negotiations, it was understood that the property owners wanted to rezone portions of the property to add accessory structures and legally permit the retaining walls that serve to stabilize the hillside.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>"The goal is to legalize what is already up there," she said. Rezoning is one option.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>But the opponents weren't buying it.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Resident Jill Wheeler said she once built on public parkland.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>"I got spanked because I was encroaching," she said, adding that the violation cost her a lot of money.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><b>Wheeler said the city wrote her a letter informing her that the city has "an obligation to maintain public parkland for public use. "</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">"You need to reverse and start the whole thing over," she said.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>Find out more</strong> The council will discuss the Lugliani matter again at a still-to-be-determined date to determine other options for permitting the retaining walls and accessory structures. Residents can sign up for the city's listserv for notifications of council meetings and agenda items. Go to <a href="http://pvestates.org/" target="_blank">pvestates.org</a>.</span></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-80796702641900913502013-03-12T08:19:00.000-07:002013-03-12T08:19:07.972-07:00Back from the dead... or at least a long slumber!Sorry folks - work and life generally has kept me busy and some things like this blog have been casualties of late. Anyhow, saw a new listing on the MLS this morning that got my blogging juices flowing.<br />
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This is <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palos-Verdes-Estates/1316-Vuelta-Pl-90274/home/7727084">1316 Vuelta Place in PVE</a>. The MLS listing description describes it as "spectacular new construction" of a "custom built" house built, per the MLS build date, in 2013. Yet upon a deeper dig, this home appears to have just sold in December 2012 for $1.275M (more than $1M less than the current asking price of $2.399M).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSPeEpuB5Ueatqu9SSijHGDw-Sso0_5SZAt4O1xYXN1eCW2od3u_hjh4U5q-N3MAyfgD9HKwdkHvtu-7Rcgxo1Go7Hw6CKojJvdlQtrt-wMa1RI1cqqfN-6vcHXvhwsrHvaZYbbcrQEKw/s1600/1316+Vuelta+Pl+PVE+-+Facade+remodel+in+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSPeEpuB5Ueatqu9SSijHGDw-Sso0_5SZAt4O1xYXN1eCW2od3u_hjh4U5q-N3MAyfgD9HKwdkHvtu-7Rcgxo1Go7Hw6CKojJvdlQtrt-wMa1RI1cqqfN-6vcHXvhwsrHvaZYbbcrQEKw/s640/1316+Vuelta+Pl+PVE+-+Facade+remodel+in+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The home measures 2,860sf on a nice 0.4 acre lot in Montemalaga. Curiously, public records show the home as a 2,555sf 1964 build. The previous listing in 2012, which started at $1.345M and closed at $1.275M looks very very similar to the 'new construction' with some obvious facade tweaks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75pphRiJ-cfQknkwCi6OhasDSwmFGgvjc_l5-yaAIMHqI5Tpi3GbOdBXfTx6FLQG3_APDiFG9Xesn0ni1IBB4oXG9cFfy-Xx4GStRTpy-O-jqsGixjtG8tHGUyHiBFFS2RPusjE_W5bMZ/s1600/1316+Vuelta+Pl+PVE+-+Facade+remodel+-+before+pic+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75pphRiJ-cfQknkwCi6OhasDSwmFGgvjc_l5-yaAIMHqI5Tpi3GbOdBXfTx6FLQG3_APDiFG9Xesn0ni1IBB4oXG9cFfy-Xx4GStRTpy-O-jqsGixjtG8tHGUyHiBFFS2RPusjE_W5bMZ/s640/1316+Vuelta+Pl+PVE+-+Facade+remodel+-+before+pic+2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The 2012 facade is obviously the original 1964 design. The 2013 facade of the 'new construction' is really just an update, as far as I can tell, of the exterior of the home to albeit better, more interesting and architecturally accurate design. The garage, front door, windows, and even the roof are in the same places as its 60s predecessor. The new front boasts recessed windows, nicer plaster/stucco walls, wooden garage door (although I'm not a fan of the glaze) and nice accent lights. I do wish the owner would have gone with a white exterior rather than the McMansiony cream color we've seen so much of lately.<br />
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The new listing boasts of modern conveniences in the home; however the 2012 listing also touted a remodeled kitchen among other interior improvements. Given the work done to this house is mostly superficial, does that warrant a near doubling of the asking price?<br />
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No interior photos of the new house have been added to the MLS, so we'll see what other changes have been made. Given that the last sale closed less than 3 months ago, I remain skeptical as to what updates and changes could have been made in such a short period of time (especially given the rather lengthy approvals process in PVE for aesthetics and structural changes). We shall see.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-73254956968296813852012-08-03T11:11:00.002-07:002012-08-03T11:12:53.296-07:00Nearly done...So here's the nearly complete home on PV Dr North. To my eye, it looks like the home was painted slightly off-white.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uh_fsuqL1Vk50_ctWOYeX-a_Mya6FRncNQCMOx8ljO9hXeAKf6MdCTL0ICHOkbd7OmzjRmW0Z8O1Ej_9sXgt0eirDiGxb9905mvemcOKvjWNlzpassPo0N1ZeVIbFkE31uwtfFmY4tT1/s1600/PV+Dr+DLeach+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uh_fsuqL1Vk50_ctWOYeX-a_Mya6FRncNQCMOx8ljO9hXeAKf6MdCTL0ICHOkbd7OmzjRmW0Z8O1Ej_9sXgt0eirDiGxb9905mvemcOKvjWNlzpassPo0N1ZeVIbFkE31uwtfFmY4tT1/s640/PV+Dr+DLeach+small.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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It actually doesn't look as bad as I thought it could. My biggest complaint with the facade is the narrowness of the windows above the garage - makes it look far too busy. Otherwise, the home fits in well with the landscaping. I don't think anyone will miss the older, run-down ranch house it replaced.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-63208636915057883342012-06-21T07:39:00.002-07:002012-06-21T07:39:17.849-07:00A Spanish home goes up on the DriveWhat a busy summer it's turning out to be! Remember <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2012/02/season-for-construction.html">this post on a new build</a> going up on PV Drive North in Valmonte? Well it is coming along (relatively) nicely. A quick recap:<br />
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Homeowners purchased the home (see below) in December of 2010 for $839K. The home was a marketed as a teardown, a fixer in desperate need of TLC.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFi8aO6KIXHzXFjEm9s8Otnt2kbqYzfRhTHdQVyMURFNY8fF4Pcd_6jx0-SHZTS5tgPvwNmv1bnPyRJP24nFn0ZbbuheTYjK5RK2LcXluDHlsg8P2SSpokelEW1iFLZ-mUtgjSc5r4Ipm/s1600/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFi8aO6KIXHzXFjEm9s8Otnt2kbqYzfRhTHdQVyMURFNY8fF4Pcd_6jx0-SHZTS5tgPvwNmv1bnPyRJP24nFn0ZbbuheTYjK5RK2LcXluDHlsg8P2SSpokelEW1iFLZ-mUtgjSc5r4Ipm/s640/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: MLS</em>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzzGKQErpYng1DLr5055gzdCvwst7EwwZqqTdjXJ165RX8V0LdtMhP4gOGQxghTLGWkcB8sYBg96e8AdwTs5EHbpbEzWQCRpagGSrUSjzBQQaF_lvt9wPhmlRi_JYcCORknEPulGCDW6f/s1600/3613+PV+Dr+N+aerial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzzGKQErpYng1DLr5055gzdCvwst7EwwZqqTdjXJ165RX8V0LdtMhP4gOGQxghTLGWkcB8sYBg96e8AdwTs5EHbpbEzWQCRpagGSrUSjzBQQaF_lvt9wPhmlRi_JYcCORknEPulGCDW6f/s640/3613+PV+Dr+N+aerial.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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So the homeowners, a couple moving from the Los Verdes area of Rancho Palos Verdes, hired local architect Doug Leach to design for them a new home in the Spanish vernacular. The plans were approved in May 2011 and several months later, work began.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2STKdRnGYqT_G5vxDtbunyauwgunXsTeX5OWvH7ZSN8ax-rPZ2TOILsEL0zRi8ApMBqnc14CQtc0xJBN_rM3Qn7UCIfz7t-Jj8PA36SI1sL68SMNjuvOU4LiKHpOOnpM6ALd3pBBelBZ/s1600/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2STKdRnGYqT_G5vxDtbunyauwgunXsTeX5OWvH7ZSN8ax-rPZ2TOILsEL0zRi8ApMBqnc14CQtc0xJBN_rM3Qn7UCIfz7t-Jj8PA36SI1sL68SMNjuvOU4LiKHpOOnpM6ALd3pBBelBZ/s640/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVZWz4nZQvHYpYzidQN5IxVmu40NnfBSymIkM03kYZ6CUSp1vMTREr-arQzsK5FFf5IJaMNINXczwDWo3ezzPiIhoh9c_U2wgxA7EkVoBxYqPgf56aPJ3Whd1QbhNV37N_w5kQa1r4JsN/s1600/new+build+-+pv+dr+n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVZWz4nZQvHYpYzidQN5IxVmu40NnfBSymIkM03kYZ6CUSp1vMTREr-arQzsK5FFf5IJaMNINXczwDWo3ezzPiIhoh9c_U2wgxA7EkVoBxYqPgf56aPJ3Whd1QbhNV37N_w5kQa1r4JsN/s640/new+build+-+pv+dr+n.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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As you can see from the photo above, the house was going to either be Spanish or Italian in style and it had a reverse C-shape layout, with a central courtyard. In my earlier post, I had written that I hoped it would maintain some architectural integrity to either style. If Spanish, that it would be white, with appropriate trim details. If Italian, that it wouldn't go overboard with stonework and too much ornamentation. Well folks, the home is nearly complete! And it doesn't look terrible!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZgzIwob9gi1XJvtXoJ4dMrCyiKRiZazFM0PdRFEIr1jcnCYWErOcgsk5QiuUd7kjpf2RgqiOf2gb_9OUdvjXMYOuO7uQOOqtAX2QH89WoOyQCwOQBCCS-ZSW0l12hw16ryU1osAW2eTh/s1600/PV+Dr+N+-+Leach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZgzIwob9gi1XJvtXoJ4dMrCyiKRiZazFM0PdRFEIr1jcnCYWErOcgsk5QiuUd7kjpf2RgqiOf2gb_9OUdvjXMYOuO7uQOOqtAX2QH89WoOyQCwOQBCCS-ZSW0l12hw16ryU1osAW2eTh/s640/PV+Dr+N+-+Leach.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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You can see from the photo that the house has what some have called the 'Santa Barbara' style, mixing the white plaster-y stucco with the teal blue window trim and wrought iron accents. It is still a few weeks from completion, so I'll reserve final judgment until then. But so far, looks promising. I do think the windows in the room above the garage are too narrow/large for the space - they should be shorter. But again, let's see how this all shakes out in the end.<br />
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Notice that the front entry leads to a courtyard which is open to the west (see arrows below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qDJECNSm9Z73SLTk6pJYNOcG6QrnRZ3Mi2QmBpWvylVScb8rTRQL3_BzhDqOx6SZrum94uUielBF2CQ59H6pbtAiKBvIF_B-gC3WpjmW68-r5NcCit2eQ0oFmhxSdmb1fbvjJIOkXApU/s1600/courtyard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qDJECNSm9Z73SLTk6pJYNOcG6QrnRZ3Mi2QmBpWvylVScb8rTRQL3_BzhDqOx6SZrum94uUielBF2CQ59H6pbtAiKBvIF_B-gC3WpjmW68-r5NcCit2eQ0oFmhxSdmb1fbvjJIOkXApU/s640/courtyard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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Given the size of the lot, I suspect the courtyard comes at the expense of the backyard. Oddly enough, if you look at the aerial photograph at the beginning of the post, the 1952 2,233sf ranch home that this Leach design replaces also had a small western-facing courtyard and a very small rear yard.<br />
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Stay tuned for more on this later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-84419016144943162942012-05-08T09:03:00.002-07:002012-05-08T09:03:46.231-07:00We lost one...So as most of you are keenly aware, the Moore house was demolished in Malaga Cove last week, after years of back and forth with various constituents. The 1959 house, with all its spaceship-ness, was designed by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, Lloyd Wright.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5avb3gX9ssjlTIOUle6aDinSVPv5KncSPmFW2zIrA2IlnIzsfbLh_3WwLMfuFEGXfoKJBue64InUkAL5s2rLBAiLZUmouKJOtEr8ENNKWXiggKzaUto1gnQ7qZ12NjCfie9KHwJWaj8/s1600/moore-house-pv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5avb3gX9ssjlTIOUle6aDinSVPv5KncSPmFW2zIrA2IlnIzsfbLh_3WwLMfuFEGXfoKJBue64InUkAL5s2rLBAiLZUmouKJOtEr8ENNKWXiggKzaUto1gnQ7qZ12NjCfie9KHwJWaj8/s640/moore-house-pv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq2_IpNftqxP-SH_mbIOUWd_uu26dz1rmG_wWGx_D0QTNZVkfqkqkb7lCfwB1PrLe02Hiazy-hlAwOqVYtdODaf3DF9Z-AGyCC445kPW9FiX6vBsaKeN2JV0GaHzlJbdI6EKT3aeLOUGM/s1600/Moore+House+-+Curbed+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq2_IpNftqxP-SH_mbIOUWd_uu26dz1rmG_wWGx_D0QTNZVkfqkqkb7lCfwB1PrLe02Hiazy-hlAwOqVYtdODaf3DF9Z-AGyCC445kPW9FiX6vBsaKeN2JV0GaHzlJbdI6EKT3aeLOUGM/s640/Moore+House+-+Curbed+LA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: Curbed LA</em>)<br />
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While I am generally a fan of preservation, this house has me torn. On the one hand, its great to have a unique example of mid-century modern from a regionally acclaimed architect preserved for posterity. On the other hand, this house should never have been built in Malaga Cove. It is out of character with the vision the PV Project planners had for the area, and it is also not in keeping with the scale and feel of comparable homes in the area. <br />
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That said, the home that is meant to take its place gives me great pause - for I fear it may go the way of the uber-McMansion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzz3PuTx0vlaLlz01RsisWFF6FrR4LcChGrXkGvQxgsAOeHAUxE1uredaX4k6he1Q9It0Hule9_5U8x5FlzgrqnKdndqqBmQSSJCTjGX8a54ymhu0SZUCRaygBVWvPDIiVQ3BZOxp8uN_/s1600/moore+house+-+replacement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzz3PuTx0vlaLlz01RsisWFF6FrR4LcChGrXkGvQxgsAOeHAUxE1uredaX4k6he1Q9It0Hule9_5U8x5FlzgrqnKdndqqBmQSSJCTjGX8a54ymhu0SZUCRaygBVWvPDIiVQ3BZOxp8uN_/s640/moore+house+-+replacement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The replacement home will span nearly 6,000sf and is penned by Ed Beall's firm. Ed Beall is one of the better architects in the area. That said, the above design is plagued with the features and artifcats of a classic Caliterranean McMansion - too many windows which are oversized, arches galore and an overall massing that is uninspired and boring. I recall the comment from George Washington Smith that white space is just as important as other facade features, if not more so. Why do McMansionists feel the need to fill every nook and cranny of a home with some ornate this or that? Restraint! Understatement! Subtlety! These should be the guiding principles with which pen is put to paper.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-50223521519518244692012-04-24T13:27:00.000-07:002012-04-24T13:27:00.352-07:00Style matters - part 2.In contrast to my last post, here's an example where good architecture and siting pays off. Check out one of my favorite homes in Valmonte. The Moore Residence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf625t0kIBq4UYCNdK00y1FvKnLVnGimnxzuL89i7faB4qjOjcbgU-ORWQJHRYEVPY1uQHY43tXT_0u2JIf0YVbY_GchrT3lHIdaixuHRzylxIMaW2AV672lJU44jPybqXeZBfK3z2jMJ/s1600/front+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf625t0kIBq4UYCNdK00y1FvKnLVnGimnxzuL89i7faB4qjOjcbgU-ORWQJHRYEVPY1uQHY43tXT_0u2JIf0YVbY_GchrT3lHIdaixuHRzylxIMaW2AV672lJU44jPybqXeZBfK3z2jMJ/s640/front+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF5HefNNdEBL_tvMZfYt3fSz66aCzCje8qPar87kKSmvh7LzBIJwXJNOdLx9yyUcGrEa_OrwtcCTzMCNbVxBMaV1IUiPrXAFUjcUAugUiRJwn1tusgQzUE39SoQmVe5Z7H9HFOJ54PoQP/s1600/front+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF5HefNNdEBL_tvMZfYt3fSz66aCzCje8qPar87kKSmvh7LzBIJwXJNOdLx9yyUcGrEa_OrwtcCTzMCNbVxBMaV1IUiPrXAFUjcUAugUiRJwn1tusgQzUE39SoQmVe5Z7H9HFOJ54PoQP/s640/front+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCfKVwJZaWThnqb_lRSGP-HnEQ0j9l7Hlg0dlfyP6HudbkRyCh8HTfJ0Ehd46YdPGmRkTIeAv-91nAtsu4SHnhPLbPv8ufUI64EMGaZfLAy-BYmlKiSnofr9zJBqMfDUpsqvjzSSejIuH/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCfKVwJZaWThnqb_lRSGP-HnEQ0j9l7Hlg0dlfyP6HudbkRyCh8HTfJ0Ehd46YdPGmRkTIeAv-91nAtsu4SHnhPLbPv8ufUI64EMGaZfLAy-BYmlKiSnofr9zJBqMfDUpsqvjzSSejIuH/s640/front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<em>(Source: Google Maps, MLS)</em><br />
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Built in 2003, this Italian home spans 6,565sf on a tree-filled 0.4 acre lot. The Moores bought the original home in 1999 for $760K, demolished it 4 years later, and erected this beautiful and simple Italian home. The home was put on the market just one week ago, asking $3.499M and is already under contract. If it sells at that asking price, it will be the highest price paid ever for a home in Valmonte! In contrast to the Lunada Bay homes being built in questionable architectural styles that have languished for months on the market, this home, with its tastefully designed facade and elegant interior will soon be sold. <br />
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There's a lot to love about this home. The facade is simple, understated, restrained. It masks the true size of this nearly 7,000sf home. It's nestled by the trees and surrounded by lush greenery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH36r0AlFz_6SZH_xxU-O-mRmtr9gDSosxSLetYBjFsjzdOtQCu7S6TxkJHHYAWGDtrPQcudcLXYASZQ83dN_3-3ieTeCa9tGjpJCG3Ayj2z5jEthc7yBdbrxM1TRQ9ZwnVOlbZxE6Mba/s1600/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH36r0AlFz_6SZH_xxU-O-mRmtr9gDSosxSLetYBjFsjzdOtQCu7S6TxkJHHYAWGDtrPQcudcLXYASZQ83dN_3-3ieTeCa9tGjpJCG3Ayj2z5jEthc7yBdbrxM1TRQ9ZwnVOlbZxE6Mba/s640/rear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3HQ51okKgmj_vpHvyvMtDpYfy1mTBS8Eob-2pb3FHUJ21Nt4d6Tq8D4fp4UNG0-gsL7fcPYmlgI8qmG4fnwpUKBmhpP9tChgoOv2d-_3cCk2DotiOmAvgMjej75DbBvJJunV471MjSoK/s1600/courtyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3HQ51okKgmj_vpHvyvMtDpYfy1mTBS8Eob-2pb3FHUJ21Nt4d6Tq8D4fp4UNG0-gsL7fcPYmlgI8qmG4fnwpUKBmhpP9tChgoOv2d-_3cCk2DotiOmAvgMjej75DbBvJJunV471MjSoK/s640/courtyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZjgoZE2RV389RbSNjYgbpC2e1L39dRRs6j3Cw8yhgx5P81VNB9SrEyaWgdAskWOtIypBBLD2l3eABlgsmOnRBE-4ljpJFExG31CYVrmN3z2c6fkd_cwfb9SbZI7LGaoY8XqnvTPWrND3/s1600/rear+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZjgoZE2RV389RbSNjYgbpC2e1L39dRRs6j3Cw8yhgx5P81VNB9SrEyaWgdAskWOtIypBBLD2l3eABlgsmOnRBE-4ljpJFExG31CYVrmN3z2c6fkd_cwfb9SbZI7LGaoY8XqnvTPWrND3/s640/rear+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
(<em>Source: MLS</em>)<br />
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Even the courtyards are cozy and make you feel at home. Fingers crossed that this beauty sets the record for Valmonte! It would be yet another example of how, I'll say it again, style matters!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-69539908705470227202012-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:002012-04-20T11:52:22.778-07:00Style matters.Today, we learn a quick lesson: style matters. Size doesn't. And what better example of that than our famed Lunada Bay McMansion (<a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2012/03/dose-of-reality.html">See this post</a>). Remember this home, which I wrote extensively about, was listed initially for $3.8M> It was then reduced to $2.9M, then de-listed, then relisted at $3.3M, then reduced to $3.0M, then reduced again to $2.949, and yesterday, reduced again to $2.799M.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvKROn7PTDSK3c6bRXwqRND6YHM4OCUd6cV_8uzwxsXcjDS7dn8mjD9u-a6mtI3jc7NQZc-7oISxMrPOHPKgdBtn_M-YDug3g078DwMNxeJxDKhADwTFRe4gfBhLoD7-sYLHKjh2aB3VG/s1600/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvKROn7PTDSK3c6bRXwqRND6YHM4OCUd6cV_8uzwxsXcjDS7dn8mjD9u-a6mtI3jc7NQZc-7oISxMrPOHPKgdBtn_M-YDug3g078DwMNxeJxDKhADwTFRe4gfBhLoD7-sYLHKjh2aB3VG/s640/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLdZTxz6XTfUysR3mOx6jYb8hPhetWYpIIoe5ozu0UNZpawbhZheYLIapJKFoVsxUNOKlWyuM_0Qn1dYl4xYRFPIY_2HXgrGnzCs9lZ2OgxKn-KqmKHkg7sstgziJKHIeeMC6ZpscAHai/s1600/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLdZTxz6XTfUysR3mOx6jYb8hPhetWYpIIoe5ozu0UNZpawbhZheYLIapJKFoVsxUNOKlWyuM_0Qn1dYl4xYRFPIY_2HXgrGnzCs9lZ2OgxKn-KqmKHkg7sstgziJKHIeeMC6ZpscAHai/s640/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: MLS</em>)<br />
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If we do some quick math, assuming this property sells for asking, after the 6% realtor fees, Mulligan and Co. will net $2.63M. Recall from my previous entries that Mulligan bought the vacant lot for $1.5M in September 2010. Netting out the land cost, this leaves Mulligan with approximately $1.13M. The house, which spans 5,576sf, cost in the neighborhood of $1.1-1.2M to build (based on average construction costs in the South Bay of $200/ft). Thus, my guess is that the developer just wants to unload it as quickly as possible so he can free up capital for the house he's building right in front of it. That house is below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSVn_pag4NBnj37cnfGvh-L7o4ITnJ3fW-_5z_V9_KqBI3LA25ZScZ7xvUlsNoW4BtatiKFcRb2V3VUtMpWVqYtQGxJbrupqzQ3sM5jUO9vsh8n8kmcdiG9ubiuWZgSZ0rYlExZGfGcbZ/s1600/3000+Paseo+del+Mar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSVn_pag4NBnj37cnfGvh-L7o4ITnJ3fW-_5z_V9_KqBI3LA25ZScZ7xvUlsNoW4BtatiKFcRb2V3VUtMpWVqYtQGxJbrupqzQ3sM5jUO9vsh8n8kmcdiG9ubiuWZgSZ0rYlExZGfGcbZ/s640/3000+Paseo+del+Mar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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So what is the lesson learned here? That style matters. Building a massive tasteless home,where the siting of the house is off, makes absolutely no sense. Had Mulligan focused more on the architecture of the home, the siting of the home and spent the incremental dollars to make the house feel more authentic and timeless, this home would have sold long ago at much more than the $500/sf it is currently listed at. What never ceases to amaze me is how little importance developers place on architecture. It matters guys. A lot. <br />
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In an equally unsurprising update, Mulligan's other <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/08/lunada-bay-coming-along-nicely.html">Lunada Bay listing on Chelsea Rd</a> was recently taken off the market, site unsold. Could have been leased, but more than likely it will re-debut again in a couple of weeks ahead of the summer.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNbuDLm4I5EcBQf4S3gBlaoddR9AOLfPmZBtHyWt33xPVBVFUnGURphXuWtaNy8oDS7s-a5eHUKwrjoMQ3pv1WjVlByjCXVXUCRDqCr7GxMTQq9adrwCoy0LstebmfrZWdvB06hosSz1/s1600/1641+chelsea+rd+pve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNbuDLm4I5EcBQf4S3gBlaoddR9AOLfPmZBtHyWt33xPVBVFUnGURphXuWtaNy8oDS7s-a5eHUKwrjoMQ3pv1WjVlByjCXVXUCRDqCr7GxMTQq9adrwCoy0LstebmfrZWdvB06hosSz1/s640/1641+chelsea+rd+pve.jpg" width="640" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-65059643079945143572012-03-08T08:31:00.000-08:002012-03-08T08:31:08.856-08:00A dose of realityRemember that McMansion <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/11/valley-err-lunada-bay-home-hits-market.html">I wrote about earlier which was listed for $3.8M?</a> Well, it looks like Mulligan & Co. have reset its expectations on what something of questionable architectural quality can fetch in the current market. The home, just off Paseo del Mar in Lunada Bay, has been re-listed with a much more reasonable asking price of $2.9M (<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palos-Verdes-Estates/3004-Paseo-Del-Mar-90274/home/25724864">listing can be found here</a>) - a price chop of $800K or 20%! If you recall from my prevous post, I had estimated that the profit margin on the house, given its size, land cost, and some fairly aggressive assumptions on construction costs, was between $200K-900K at the $3.8M price. At the new price, its hard to envision a scenario where the developer would actually make a meaningful profit on this development. Very interesting. I can't help but wonder if they had spent more time (and money) working out the actual design and aesthetics of the home, if they would have been able to attract a higher value (and actual offers) for the property. A lesson learned: design matters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtb8TJMBVR78HA871bMx0C2NF5DKsMNASGVSNAwe_04kdaJbGcSwSPkBA-m2H3ZQt61mUXOh7LE5WpnJ9Eu3OGJ-tmBkUG8KeF5HLYoWn1kuzBr78irD_LmTX6TYbStAh3VOPlw3pr4pG/s1600/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+PVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtb8TJMBVR78HA871bMx0C2NF5DKsMNASGVSNAwe_04kdaJbGcSwSPkBA-m2H3ZQt61mUXOh7LE5WpnJ9Eu3OGJ-tmBkUG8KeF5HLYoWn1kuzBr78irD_LmTX6TYbStAh3VOPlw3pr4pG/s640/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+PVE.jpg" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzffkifKSB2NsadeXUQTpj-1COwyQgM3z3uRg18R7ogntNoEgT7VCcHIpfIOTyAQVkcv483AC3edo_mKS0aXh8Tr8zw14E2_c2Z1jv9SQGe3Lj0GTX9qI7q18b6EfApZ7Ap12tXi-NZEA/s1600/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+PVE+-+Floorplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzffkifKSB2NsadeXUQTpj-1COwyQgM3z3uRg18R7ogntNoEgT7VCcHIpfIOTyAQVkcv483AC3edo_mKS0aXh8Tr8zw14E2_c2Z1jv9SQGe3Lj0GTX9qI7q18b6EfApZ7Ap12tXi-NZEA/s640/3004+Paseo+del+Mar+PVE+-+Floorplan.jpg" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div>(<em>Source: MLS</em>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-1275029866357346212012-02-21T11:43:00.000-08:002012-02-21T11:44:24.965-08:00Season for construction...Today, two quick updates.<br />
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First, update on a new Spanish home going up on the Drive in Valmonte. The homeowners purchased this tear down home in December 2010 for $839K.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliGlyMzMyfUmaDncUX2otLqchrkMEbc59zuF2lcp_I0l4LhLNMKJtyjE4xPUP7caRPXj74cTv895sYcSBdVq-LiuM3J99YjwBzfEHswj5jm6tr5KM2G_eui-qyh380yH4vMFnlA1yZfRm/s1600/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliGlyMzMyfUmaDncUX2otLqchrkMEbc59zuF2lcp_I0l4LhLNMKJtyjE4xPUP7caRPXj74cTv895sYcSBdVq-LiuM3J99YjwBzfEHswj5jm6tr5KM2G_eui-qyh380yH4vMFnlA1yZfRm/s640/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF074mx0Oq5jaE7LVD_6AgJj7QU_x1TRmOjklz_6Zgm5QUih5LLvNAsEj4sdWjVjlaNrfaiYE2YbrUwmjjBxOd7lSGqCDZ2OVzJvWOCuDlTMTNpaBwiXthzhtIacSfpA-Rta9Ku_PASZGp/s1600/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF074mx0Oq5jaE7LVD_6AgJj7QU_x1TRmOjklz_6Zgm5QUih5LLvNAsEj4sdWjVjlaNrfaiYE2YbrUwmjjBxOd7lSGqCDZ2OVzJvWOCuDlTMTNpaBwiXthzhtIacSfpA-Rta9Ku_PASZGp/s640/new+build+-+3613+pv+dr+n+original+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps, MLS</em>)<br />
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The homeowners then hired Doug Leach to design a Spanish home. As of this weekend, here's the progress that's been made to date:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUi9SgnzMJ0s-kMHheOL-veanFbO_AzPW1t75r04wNTuJGl3ufgV96DpiZtLotlLW7T75BVdyMKHrlIngPaWG3C6XB-w-zMIiYZAyFFRnQ4hLZgci1oCGH08osV0LmQ-7Ono8bHhaD5Oi/s1600/new+build+-+pv+dr+n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUi9SgnzMJ0s-kMHheOL-veanFbO_AzPW1t75r04wNTuJGl3ufgV96DpiZtLotlLW7T75BVdyMKHrlIngPaWG3C6XB-w-zMIiYZAyFFRnQ4hLZgci1oCGH08osV0LmQ-7Ono8bHhaD5Oi/s640/new+build+-+pv+dr+n.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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As you can see from the photos, it's a fairly predictable facade, with two garage doors on the eastern side, a central tower, and a living room on the western side. What is hard to tell from this photo is that the home is centered around a courtyard which is open to the west. I'll try to get better photos next time. Let's hope this home is finished in white with a nice, authentic red tile roof.<br />
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The other update is up in Lunada Bay, the sequel if you will, to the McMansiony home I wrote about it before (<a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/11/valley-err-lunada-bay-home-hits-market.html">click here to read that post</a>). This home is a single level, home that sits on a very expansive lot. I presume the home is only one story to preserve some of the view for the home behind it which is listed for sale at $3.8M.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS5oX_L6Wzdt2UvFL_Os15v8Q-jfQLK2I9xOixAhYZTQ7JD7MIzcLMo5t7ccODqXPTYleqVCNopBj0Y7lh0LByeTmC4VfaBv_SHidg-_UudQk3DND3RXeSoYhcxWEsCfztv-uRFOh9ajd/s1600/paseo+del+mar+-+new+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS5oX_L6Wzdt2UvFL_Os15v8Q-jfQLK2I9xOixAhYZTQ7JD7MIzcLMo5t7ccODqXPTYleqVCNopBj0Y7lh0LByeTmC4VfaBv_SHidg-_UudQk3DND3RXeSoYhcxWEsCfztv-uRFOh9ajd/s640/paseo+del+mar+-+new+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJTixv12izXENVNhJ5ll-JE3ksEYqYXign_-v8oVbzz1YrSwULORHUfyaDpnZ2fZTfa2hCJHLrQ5XrPO2q15gMeA4YlMZ5O__Nk4vXl1cn5iXoHl3ph8-2xx5fE4DBh6MDQYFp-mmDeQc/s1600/paseo+del+mar+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJTixv12izXENVNhJ5ll-JE3ksEYqYXign_-v8oVbzz1YrSwULORHUfyaDpnZ2fZTfa2hCJHLrQ5XrPO2q15gMeA4YlMZ5O__Nk4vXl1cn5iXoHl3ph8-2xx5fE4DBh6MDQYFp-mmDeQc/s640/paseo+del+mar+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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This home has the potential to turn out well - only time will tell. I do not like how the front of the home sits right up on the street, with not so much as maybe a 15 foot setback.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-72549927428085624452012-02-06T18:20:00.000-08:002012-02-06T18:25:54.781-08:00Densification alert - Update - Part 2So.... interesting development in relation to the Via Garfias property. Turns out the buyer doesn't want to proceed with developing on both of the lots (<a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/12/densification-alert-update-part-1.html">See this earlier post</a>). Instead, they've listed the small 6,300sf lot for sale for $850K. Just for the land. Keep in mind that the seller bought BOTH lots (two lots totaling 12,000sf) for $1,040K. So they're thinking they can sell just empty land, a small parcel at that, for $850K. If they were successful (which I highly doubt they will be at that price), their cost of the land they are developing will only be $240K - a steal in PVE (or any of the Peninsula/Beach Cities really). Problem is I don't think that lot is worth anywhere near $850K. At best, that very small lot is worth $600-650K. If they're able to get that, then their own lot cost will be $440K - still a good deal, but not a total 'steal.'<br />
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Check out the listing here: <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palos-Verdes-Estates/1609-Via-Garfias-90274/home/7724512">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palos-Verdes-Estates/1609-Via-Garfias-90274/home/7724512</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/45/bigphoto/215/V12016215_1_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/45/bigphoto/215/V12016215_1_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-888071348702710292012-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:002012-01-18T13:03:43.457-08:00Spotted!Off topic...but worth a post! Saw the rare, brand new electric sports car in Valmonte this weekend - the 2012 Fisker Karma <a href="http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/">made by California-based Fisker Automotive</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjbATvJ0_VrMaAMtR7VkpZQRB9lYCnh7tAzwOoy6QRs062QO0TKSdpYLQsAg_f6OR5GerApzl9KG91Fa53po5kCxXblxmAE9vtjo57nxVlynPPJTvW9QpYBTXRtJ8YIqhtLqIHjBJK-8o/s1600/valmonte+-+fisker+karma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjbATvJ0_VrMaAMtR7VkpZQRB9lYCnh7tAzwOoy6QRs062QO0TKSdpYLQsAg_f6OR5GerApzl9KG91Fa53po5kCxXblxmAE9vtjo57nxVlynPPJTvW9QpYBTXRtJ8YIqhtLqIHjBJK-8o/s640/valmonte+-+fisker+karma.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdJk2nlX33tLnAC2QisJR7uH_j-72Hmrhitu_8mQ-wKsNCRns3e_8_s0hWOknCh5VYaBe56z4nsIzjAWatGXJX47ZIMLK9nolKuoI8OJRdqHYTKbYL_UR-7ZVoNOXI5RNZpzrDUeJXi9g/s1600/valmonte+-+fisker+karma+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdJk2nlX33tLnAC2QisJR7uH_j-72Hmrhitu_8mQ-wKsNCRns3e_8_s0hWOknCh5VYaBe56z4nsIzjAWatGXJX47ZIMLK9nolKuoI8OJRdqHYTKbYL_UR-7ZVoNOXI5RNZpzrDUeJXi9g/s640/valmonte+-+fisker+karma+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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The car has just started production and a few celebs like Ashton Kutcher, Leo DiCaprio, Colin Powell and Al Gore have already received theirs. It's a "electric vehicle with extended range" meaning it can go 50 miles on electric battery power only, and has a gas engine to give it another 250 miles of range (the engine turns a generator to create electricity that powers the wheels). The car is GORGEOUS and amazing up close. Want one? It'll cost you $120K and you'll have to wait a few months.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-67777204549352533452011-12-30T14:12:00.000-08:002011-12-30T14:12:42.868-08:00Densification alert - Update - Part 1Happy Holidays to everyone! In the true spirit of giving, one HoPV reader has kindly sent me some more information about the plans for <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/11/season-for-tear-downs-and-build-ups.html">one of the double-wide lot teardown candidates (click here</a> <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/06/densification-alert-community-unite.html">and earlier post here</a>) I wrote about. Well, as I had feared, indeed the owner of these lots has elected to split them back into their two very small constituent lots, totaling roughly 6,200sf each (with 60-foot frontages).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1YPITjFJ-I/Tv4kKpve9FI/AAAAAAAAAhk/1TeWDUcpxIk/s1600/original+-+front+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1YPITjFJ-I/Tv4kKpve9FI/AAAAAAAAAhk/1TeWDUcpxIk/s640/original+-+front+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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On the larger of the two lots, 1609 Via Garfias (which totals approx 6,500sf), a 2,880sf home with a two-car garage is proposed. The home has 5 (!) bedrooms and 3.5 baths.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5QVo33qjCU/Tv4l5-SWMCI/AAAAAAAAAhw/zoippR_S5Qo/s1600/1609-front.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5QVo33qjCU/Tv4l5-SWMCI/AAAAAAAAAhw/zoippR_S5Qo/s640/1609-front.png" width="640" /></a></div> (<i>Source: TT)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf5eNR3mbF0/Tv4l-EI3HbI/AAAAAAAAAh4/OaGdRNDD2q4/s1600/1609+-+side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf5eNR3mbF0/Tv4l-EI3HbI/AAAAAAAAAh4/OaGdRNDD2q4/s640/1609+-+side.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
(<i>Source: TT)</i><br />
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</i></div><div>As you can see from above, the home is Spanish in style. There are a few things I like about the home. First, the layout is unique - its not like the usual quasi-symmetric new build facades you see like <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/11/money-may-buy-you-things-but-taste-isnt.html">the Doug Leach Lunada Bay I wrote about before</a>. Similarly, the fact that there is a little courtyard on the right side provides additional space for convening and gathering - a plus. But unfortunately, that's where my accolades for the home end. Let's start with the garage - the walls around the door look a bit on the skinny side. The garage door itself? Not a fan of the panels - but lets at least hope they're actually made of wood and not the brown-painted plastic variety. Do they really need a set of stairs leading from master to the courtyard? I like the idea if it were an interior courtyard, but for an exterior one that leads to the outside? I'm on the fence. On the windows, the scale is right but the proportions and placement look a bit off. The top of the windows abut the molding and my guess is they're not properly recessed. The entry tower, while I love the idea, looks undersized relative to the two other masses and garage.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>First floor:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyODuysufsk/Tv40irbzyaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/LoXHHj9FLyk/s1600/1609+-+first+floor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyODuysufsk/Tv40irbzyaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/LoXHHj9FLyk/s640/1609+-+first+floor.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Second floor:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQQxH5uok2g/Tv40mdk9SmI/AAAAAAAAAiM/-S-VO5oZamI/s1600/1609+-+second+floor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JQQxH5uok2g/Tv40mdk9SmI/AAAAAAAAAiM/-S-VO5oZamI/s640/1609+-+second+floor.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I like the uniqueness of the first floor layout. Its different. Unpredictable in some ways. The living room is cozy, the foyer is equally snug. It's nice walking into a house and not being able to see straight through to the backyard. It's equally nice to not face the stairs upon entry (and bad feng shui!). I'm not crazy about the placement of the guest bedroom door - it's directly in front of the entry. The family/dining room and kitchen area are superb, though. I really like the sizing and layout. On the second floor, the rooms are small. 12x12 is hardly ample space for a luxury custom home bedroom. Also, to have only one shared bathroom to accomodate THREE small bedrooms, obviously this architect doesn't have kids! </div><div><br />
</div><div>All in all, the numbers don't lie. 2,900 square feet is not enough space to fit 5 decent bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a formal living room, a dining area and full size family room and kitchen. Its just too small for the size. To add to that the lot is only 108 feet deep or so, with the home itself taking 70 feet of that plus 20 feet for a driveway. That only leaves 18 feet for the backyard!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Like I said before, the buyer of the lot should have put a nice sized 4,500sf home on the double lot rather than crowd it with two undersized homes. PV is not the place for densified living! That's what the beach cities are for!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>More on the second home to be built here later. Stay tuned.</div><div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-85225476717418990622011-12-14T08:53:00.000-08:002011-12-15T05:54:57.947-08:00Cape Cod estate in ValmonteSo I hinted at this home in an earlier post - it is one of my favorites in Valmonte. It is large, well situated on the lot, and has loads of character: the Westley Residence.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOZOE6CjavbPLLN9geu7_sMKMo9yQdcMJEOdY496Cf-Hoo9raA3soJr2iNJ4noJJ6nTICndpD9MyWHA0cJERyrCfprxB1JUEvmj13zrP5fDY-GQnoV5uN_yPIkvAvKkaiRJbRORFPNuK8/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOZOE6CjavbPLLN9geu7_sMKMo9yQdcMJEOdY496Cf-Hoo9raA3soJr2iNJ4noJJ6nTICndpD9MyWHA0cJERyrCfprxB1JUEvmj13zrP5fDY-GQnoV5uN_yPIkvAvKkaiRJbRORFPNuK8/s640/front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTkEBMUVxWJekxGhKvuSo_8X7vPT37VL3Vl5ejJKnyjdHsBdtux7EG5eh3NGvMOqGzaNYwdpccx81fpjeBgLf8P1Zg6lT32g3JOh3ArqXSsudz2Tq3g__BuvTbzhyOng-H-I-GzYNPrV/s1600/front2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTkEBMUVxWJekxGhKvuSo_8X7vPT37VL3Vl5ejJKnyjdHsBdtux7EG5eh3NGvMOqGzaNYwdpccx81fpjeBgLf8P1Zg6lT32g3JOh3ArqXSsudz2Tq3g__BuvTbzhyOng-H-I-GzYNPrV/s640/front2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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Designed by Doug Leach and built in 2007/8, the 5,600 square foot home sits on a double lot that spans 18,270 square feet! The original single-level ranch home and lot were purchased in 2004 for $1.8M by a Yale PhD/cell and molecular biologist and her husband, a real estate developer (himself, a Cornell & Harvard grad).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkrp3i0Xi1cMkqvberRqF5R2uUy-N2kcuxthdRfkYekMxsnUQzr9pq9QWXD-CnEas5724Kdw9qHcgLP3frbCI9Nb0mqZOFRwZi_XEvNu3cSm0Km-GFI4WUU76wlyBxlOGK_MwCGGUKrhh/s1600/old+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkrp3i0Xi1cMkqvberRqF5R2uUy-N2kcuxthdRfkYekMxsnUQzr9pq9QWXD-CnEas5724Kdw9qHcgLP3frbCI9Nb0mqZOFRwZi_XEvNu3cSm0Km-GFI4WUU76wlyBxlOGK_MwCGGUKrhh/s640/old+-+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Bing Maps</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oBfFIW58FQKjgs5_nbzKFcNJnxphxiWMJNzuDMsYo0Fe1mfhFqGnoGvikY8nTAoqi6wcVMCKBPr73uRU857ZHQxUHzcjyZSW7QNRIyJs5i21Ic9cKF-CCYWXQljzD1pS0OLKWawzj50c/s1600/new+-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oBfFIW58FQKjgs5_nbzKFcNJnxphxiWMJNzuDMsYo0Fe1mfhFqGnoGvikY8nTAoqi6wcVMCKBPr73uRU857ZHQxUHzcjyZSW7QNRIyJs5i21Ic9cKF-CCYWXQljzD1pS0OLKWawzj50c/s640/new+-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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As you'll notice, the new home is sited in nearly the identical spot as the home it replaced - even the garage is in the same spot! The lot itself, at nearly half an acre, is among the largest in Valmonte. It actually spans two legal lots, each roughly 64x143.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkKVG-IQgh2WdnIMU93ERIerLsUpVXc4yjiXGBzQBusbK7Oa350t01lJdtu7yOBBXjBLlMwm9CK3TbgIDZZaPXNl7srJkDXrB-1zfq6ez6LQg6PfMmKazxznzS2Zpj2VPrwmNwLQuuevt/s1600/lot+plan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkKVG-IQgh2WdnIMU93ERIerLsUpVXc4yjiXGBzQBusbK7Oa350t01lJdtu7yOBBXjBLlMwm9CK3TbgIDZZaPXNl7srJkDXrB-1zfq6ez6LQg6PfMmKazxznzS2Zpj2VPrwmNwLQuuevt/s400/lot+plan.JPG" width="372" /></a></div>(<em>Source: LA County Assessor</em>)<br />
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There's a ton to love about the home. The wrap-around porch. The color and texture of the exterior shingles. The landscaping. The alternating roofline and mix of windows. The size and substantial-ness of the porch columns. The color combo. All in, a very comfortable family home. <br />
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The rear elevation is equally attractive and the back yard landscaping is elegant yet simple. In fact, I think it looks as though it has some neat features like a NanaWall, which opens up the family room into a stone patio.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlKnxFcoFyWZaiW6scRh9mJZS11gG6AwoSGRctKItvDuXYTjWJAofW0Pce44lIeq65A8SPlGOGciwFzLVVHt0x7V6fmOLCV5IaMaWCKZJYHvU2m9nVyTh0t7xs-7gF_4wHNWbsqWC-DbM/s1600/new+-+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlKnxFcoFyWZaiW6scRh9mJZS11gG6AwoSGRctKItvDuXYTjWJAofW0Pce44lIeq65A8SPlGOGciwFzLVVHt0x7V6fmOLCV5IaMaWCKZJYHvU2m9nVyTh0t7xs-7gF_4wHNWbsqWC-DbM/s640/new+-+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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If I were to nitpick, here are a few things I would highlight: the windows in the garage door (which are actually a no-no in PVE and violate the Art Jury's guidelines). I think having windows in a garage door detracts from the house - cheapens it, perhaps. A paneled or solid white garage door would be better (an easy fix too!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy5C4Kn-B4iKNCuWuiVS85EaWok3wmhpKH9HKkgD8FYF9uEhiU48OpRLS9r-5g2jDBndaNihxMGbTBzfrD5dIEV5kDnHizox62YNsW-MjSWlU-SNJTJZ2RRNVaVF7MHxdoIWShJu2f2e-/s1600/new+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy5C4Kn-B4iKNCuWuiVS85EaWok3wmhpKH9HKkgD8FYF9uEhiU48OpRLS9r-5g2jDBndaNihxMGbTBzfrD5dIEV5kDnHizox62YNsW-MjSWlU-SNJTJZ2RRNVaVF7MHxdoIWShJu2f2e-/s640/new+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i3o2byTCAhAL4EXLxO1H9sDzKgFqQYKHdASU18NrqgKiyUYwe-IH9cwBuYbtxXsUZ6yNaADx846W7-lzFP-tT_6A7iRIqQk8gB9iw39VWCwf8uIG7nPCOFpKVl3h7N_-8CkBOp6-8ytK/s1600/front1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i3o2byTCAhAL4EXLxO1H9sDzKgFqQYKHdASU18NrqgKiyUYwe-IH9cwBuYbtxXsUZ6yNaADx846W7-lzFP-tT_6A7iRIqQk8gB9iw39VWCwf8uIG7nPCOFpKVl3h7N_-8CkBOp6-8ytK/s640/front1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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The front setback - well, here I'm on the fence. On the one hand, the 30-foot front setback (or technically, "side" setback since its a corner lot) makes the home seem more comfortable, informal and welcoming. At the same time, a deeper setback of maybe 50 feet would make the home seem a bit more formal, grand even, in keeping with both the size of the home and the lot size. Obviously something <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/01/time-for-quick-change-from-spanish-to.html">like this</a> is a bit too much (80-foot front setback)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSD68covXUTMT9_eHQTUFtkGYHrR2r60kO8U0DS0HDAeY_C3lpI21ev79-2AmS8wFQeJ3_VpOkU34ve6iD9-mRJF8v1edkkksXonozX_jWXmtiQUkUjDmC2t_tpiUB9FNqVeNZxXm-dQ/s1600/paseodelmar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSD68covXUTMT9_eHQTUFtkGYHrR2r60kO8U0DS0HDAeY_C3lpI21ev79-2AmS8wFQeJ3_VpOkU34ve6iD9-mRJF8v1edkkksXonozX_jWXmtiQUkUjDmC2t_tpiUB9FNqVeNZxXm-dQ/s640/paseodelmar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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All in all, a very well executed home. Funny enough, I came across another home in neighboring Redondo Beach and Torrance that both have some similar features and a comparable design. Curious: what do you all think of its Redondo Beach and Torrance doppelgangers (not sure who the architect is here)?<br />
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Redondo Beach:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JMnwZQNERzQ4PitVvMtezTmjvCPuKe6mCm2QR0fW8nk7HHEaPtw8nvV0sLna1tvicRuT1cUA-CxShaMMVrzG-xmraZ0X-asaylj3RtY-q8SAOTNCMhNW5pLLoWw7ILFUF6Q8HoEeE_M/s1600/800+S+Juanita+RB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JMnwZQNERzQ4PitVvMtezTmjvCPuKe6mCm2QR0fW8nk7HHEaPtw8nvV0sLna1tvicRuT1cUA-CxShaMMVrzG-xmraZ0X-asaylj3RtY-q8SAOTNCMhNW5pLLoWw7ILFUF6Q8HoEeE_M/s640/800+S+Juanita+RB.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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PV:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuFh0y7eZv7WZ9jxhMdi0thSRoDPgWwtFZRoI40G_MN86dmVNZFLH7fCnOhJ5GyWPrfbhX6bs2wKFDYJZn5Fo9ynq-kpdskYZyJAVgY5GQ2A2IzBbXu7_A65onz2kq6FV_nzTeUCrHDx-/s1600/new+-+0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuFh0y7eZv7WZ9jxhMdi0thSRoDPgWwtFZRoI40G_MN86dmVNZFLH7fCnOhJ5GyWPrfbhX6bs2wKFDYJZn5Fo9ynq-kpdskYZyJAVgY5GQ2A2IzBbXu7_A65onz2kq6FV_nzTeUCrHDx-/s640/new+-+0.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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Torrance:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0wtbo_yp_TAs5DFtgZbRvnTck6CEiGrB6Q3EV5yboUdjxApOAiFaxk4TMp0h5wGUAg7kJk5oPLP483A0k6Mjpi9UWKNShDLswAtSv3oC-Bb5OmYFTvmdMsE78A7hvsMJGuKbOkOetU7a/s1600/torrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0wtbo_yp_TAs5DFtgZbRvnTck6CEiGrB6Q3EV5yboUdjxApOAiFaxk4TMp0h5wGUAg7kJk5oPLP483A0k6Mjpi9UWKNShDLswAtSv3oC-Bb5OmYFTvmdMsE78A7hvsMJGuKbOkOetU7a/s640/torrance.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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Which one do you think is more attractive?<br />
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<div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>KEY STATS</u></span></span></i></b></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Location:</b> Valmonte PVE</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Style:</b> Cape Cod</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Year built: </b> 2007/2008</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Architect:</b> Doug Leach</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Square footage: </b>5,600f</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Lot size:</b> 18,270 (127x143)</span></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-2974976058469317282011-12-13T09:07:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:07:15.277-08:00Quasi topical: Interesting article on evolution of LAInteresting write up on the KCET website which I thought was interesting (and mentions Palos Verdes!). It's entitled "How We Got This Way (Los Angeles Has Always Been Suburban)"<br />
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<a href="http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/commentary/where-we-are/how-we-got-this-way.html">http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/commentary/where-we-are/how-we-got-this-way.html</a><br />
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Check it out. <br />
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Also, more of my regular home posts are coming! Stay tuned!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-24486549807409934492011-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:002011-12-10T08:04:04.108-08:00I'm on Facebook!I've finally joined the billions on Facebook. Feel free to Friend me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003219497096">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003219497096</a><br />
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Also, saw in the news that PVE and RPV were recently named one of the best places to live by quality of life. Here's a link to the <a href="http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_19512031">Daily Breeze article</a> (Note that it is a ranking of cities with at least 10,000 residents - sorry, Rolling Hills (pop ~2,000) and Rolling Hills Estates (pop ~8,500)!)<br />
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Also, for those wanting to see the actual data, check that out here: <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/on-numbers/scott-thomas/2011/12/texas-community-takes-national-honors.html?appSession=74884507402123">The Business Journal/On Numbers Report</a><br />
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<b><u>Top Southern California Cities By Quality of Life</u></b><br />
1. San Marino<br />
2. Coto de Caza<br />
<b>3. Palos Verdes Estates</b><br />
4. La Canada Flintridge<br />
5. Calabasas<br />
<i>6. Manhattan Beach</i><br />
7. Malibu<br />
8. North Tustin<br />
9. Coronado<br />
10. Newport Beach<br />
11. Irvine<br />
12. Laguna Beach<br />
13. Sierra Madre<br />
<b>14. Rancho Palos Verdes</b><br />
15. Agoura Hills<br />
16. Aliso Viejo<br />
17. Rancho Santa Margarita<br />
<i>18. Hermosa Beach</i><br />
19. Yorba Linda<br />
20. Beverly Hills<br />
21. Claremont<br />
22. Solana Beach<br />
23. Laguna Niguel<br />
24. Carlsbad<br />
25. Encinitas<br />
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<b><u>Top California Cities By Quality of Life</u></b><br />
1. Hillsborough<br />
2. San Marino<br />
3. Blackhawk (Danville)<br />
4. Coto de Caza<br />
<b>5. Palos Verdes Estates</b><br />
6. Piedmont<br />
7. Orinda<br />
8. Alamo<br />
9. Los Altos<br />
10. Saratoga<br />
11. Tamalpais-Homestead Valley<br />
12. La Canada Flintridge<br />
13. Palo Alto<br />
14. Granite Bay<br />
15. Calabasas<br />
<i>16. Manhattan Beach</i><br />
17. El Dorado Hills<br />
18. Danville<br />
19. Lafayette<br />
20. Mill Valley<br />
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Congrats also to fellow South Bay cities Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-27048871025177072012011-11-19T14:45:00.000-08:002011-11-19T14:45:00.150-08:00The season for tear downs and build upsSo my post today is half update and half rant... <br />
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First, does everyone <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/06/densification-alert-community-unite.html">remember this post about a double-wide lot for sale in upper Lunada/Montemalaga?</a> Well that home finally sold for $1.04M not too long ago. The 120-foot wide lot is undergoing the planning process in the city of PVE at the moment, and it looks like the architects hired for the job are Cauthen Design (<a href="http://www.cauthendesign.com/">http://www.cauthendesign.com/</a>). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJl_unCbaWnWRvD_NYEtHCD87zFVVV9iLve4WVdkq8VYJQJQBhSE8nNJPvl9HvhGycgrcMBJgvXg5ETnLPcrqtz-kmzNznF13uP7WifLSxSxViTNdVJsU9-VH0ihRpOhfLIKdBCQ8tia/s1600/1609ViaGarfias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJl_unCbaWnWRvD_NYEtHCD87zFVVV9iLve4WVdkq8VYJQJQBhSE8nNJPvl9HvhGycgrcMBJgvXg5ETnLPcrqtz-kmzNznF13uP7WifLSxSxViTNdVJsU9-VH0ihRpOhfLIKdBCQ8tia/s640/1609ViaGarfias.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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From the website and the planning documents, Cauthen is run from a home in Huntington Beach. If you look at some of the houses they've done, they look all very McMansion-y and Mock-terranean-ish. See Exhibits A, B and C below.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_gEWpuUJOl48NX29dcI-vO_Di1clNlR14kGMf8Tprh6Bc3m2Xr5J_BefH9iL_XLgrgN_TfPN2P1QqFUhyphenhyphenuzMU9pyFhkJ5SiYHfSzXRv0EbO5UUBQ0UVhwnxnVcnLaRyVR7tDCx-7XFLR/s1600/cauthen-design+-+valmonte+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_gEWpuUJOl48NX29dcI-vO_Di1clNlR14kGMf8Tprh6Bc3m2Xr5J_BefH9iL_XLgrgN_TfPN2P1QqFUhyphenhyphenuzMU9pyFhkJ5SiYHfSzXRv0EbO5UUBQ0UVhwnxnVcnLaRyVR7tDCx-7XFLR/s640/cauthen-design+-+valmonte+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Cauthen Design</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqOOPQ6xchnClUVssZBnRtayJiJWSqK8Bkx4CqafzTkbvrK0O2YG79YgtsIhX3Y6eZ9_8egq2-Li2ao0zDhXX-Td5cuIXS0CjJlh4FNUaVrN2XpcwuXV-3tC2yUXzMU9UhHJGOIyBM3Q_/s1600/cauthen+design+-+pv+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqOOPQ6xchnClUVssZBnRtayJiJWSqK8Bkx4CqafzTkbvrK0O2YG79YgtsIhX3Y6eZ9_8egq2-Li2ao0zDhXX-Td5cuIXS0CjJlh4FNUaVrN2XpcwuXV-3tC2yUXzMU9UhHJGOIyBM3Q_/s640/cauthen+design+-+pv+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Cauthen Design</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj9m-8sXagFo3hLsOQE4K-aHSEWSht7JLVqNXnQVlj4u3ytvE8Mb_kJdMaaTyxA9f3elQcg25r2dL5zp6rgtI8WVzOf3NvzXbPdQ7TGkfYlDTBK3jikQda7xVcn0OaJbqmC-GXyP989Lm/s1600/cauthen-design+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj9m-8sXagFo3hLsOQE4K-aHSEWSht7JLVqNXnQVlj4u3ytvE8Mb_kJdMaaTyxA9f3elQcg25r2dL5zp6rgtI8WVzOf3NvzXbPdQ7TGkfYlDTBK3jikQda7xVcn0OaJbqmC-GXyP989Lm/s640/cauthen-design+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Cauthen Design</em>)<br />
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The last photo there is not as offensive - actually, it's not half bad. The first two, however, look like tract homes from Riverside or Ladera Ranch - yet both are actually homes here on the Peninsula! Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that whatever "Fias Homes LLC" has decided to build is tasteful and takes full advantage of the wide lot. <br />
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Now onto another new home about to go up. This one is in Valmonte and actually replaces a mid-century home that was designed by a regionally famous architect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuoPatCI5ERSgkvKvsmHwg09bBK66qFbbw8OscKfkrLg6jVl49pbwuJ_S2gJVhFG38KlDJrb4WHdpwf7IyJSz44m-cFtG_aX1bQA4JS3kURBloOH9PN2hy5kgZ6NxzLYU_RDG3YaHETBB/s1600/3820+Via+La+Selva+PVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuoPatCI5ERSgkvKvsmHwg09bBK66qFbbw8OscKfkrLg6jVl49pbwuJ_S2gJVhFG38KlDJrb4WHdpwf7IyJSz44m-cFtG_aX1bQA4JS3kURBloOH9PN2hy5kgZ6NxzLYU_RDG3YaHETBB/s640/3820+Via+La+Selva+PVE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: MLS</em>)<br />
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This Valmonte home was actually purchased by Rick Tomaro, brother of architect Louie Tomaro and who is responsible for Tomaro Design's Construction Services division. He and his wife currently reside in an RPV home which they have just listed for sale at just under $1M (see below). That home, built in 1962, was remodeled by Tomaro to reflect modern living while retaining most of its 1962 quasi-Crafstmen style.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJra2-HXAgRA7jTqEbtHK0y6VtTFqC43RtOy6P419QURxKWUn4xunJX208Sz3059sszkQ5pxVnCrroWufq2Y9uTboUTJN-XbYYyAaYBRIvvjPo0-Z-iU3f9Ab8yje2h1Z8kWCTL-tLZZ4/s1600/27907+Centuria+Dr+RPV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJra2-HXAgRA7jTqEbtHK0y6VtTFqC43RtOy6P419QURxKWUn4xunJX208Sz3059sszkQ5pxVnCrroWufq2Y9uTboUTJN-XbYYyAaYBRIvvjPo0-Z-iU3f9Ab8yje2h1Z8kWCTL-tLZZ4/s640/27907+Centuria+Dr+RPV.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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So it looks like the Tomaros are moving on up from RPV to PVE, from a 1,972sf home on a 9,147sf lot to what I can only imagine will be a brand new 4,000sf home on a generous 10,800sf lot in the heart of Valmonte. The Tomaros bought the Valmonte property in September for $905K. It was originally listed at $829K as a short sale (the previous owners bought the home in 2007 for $1.15M). It is worth noting that the Valmonte home has some architectural heritage and its a shame that this undercared for mid-century home will be lost. Rick Tomaro has hired his brother Louie to design a new home for this property.<br />
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The 1,312sf 1950-build home sits on a corner lot, which measures 100 feet wide by approximately 108 feet deep.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIV1LoN1xD-zjM4mhigs5R2_9huQ4cxqVJpkWYyz1UMms1JxNws5GiDFnNxspZeB6p8MIigKHiggG_99PHI3AvSWbZTOgL-lqBWuVo-76W4VBYRqFuZF2XldHmv4cLZ3SoWrz2HZsSA8C/s1600/3820+Via+La+Selva+PVE+aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIV1LoN1xD-zjM4mhigs5R2_9huQ4cxqVJpkWYyz1UMms1JxNws5GiDFnNxspZeB6p8MIigKHiggG_99PHI3AvSWbZTOgL-lqBWuVo-76W4VBYRqFuZF2XldHmv4cLZ3SoWrz2HZsSA8C/s640/3820+Via+La+Selva+PVE+aerial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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Let's hope here too that Tomaro works his magic and designs something tasteful - either a traditional/Cape Cod style home or a subtle Italian home. Tomaro has very limited experience with the Spanish style, so its unlikely that this home will employ that school of architecture. My guess, based on their previous home in RPV, is that he opts for something more tastefully American. Maybe something like the below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0taHi2ghWH_tpjiQjJSHS_n39-PnTJ95sVoeQyL860POHk5i87WBjJVLZHI7jF3e8TUqz6WA218vaDgVWAmnh4Y5itow7wh176EJTExcVR7JY4qRSn9DLKwq2huaAwS3Om7EsRng9gNZX/s1600/leach-la+selva+pve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0taHi2ghWH_tpjiQjJSHS_n39-PnTJ95sVoeQyL860POHk5i87WBjJVLZHI7jF3e8TUqz6WA218vaDgVWAmnh4Y5itow7wh176EJTExcVR7JY4qRSn9DLKwq2huaAwS3Om7EsRng9gNZX/s640/leach-la+selva+pve.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Or this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlUTa-ZGjT1Bh85jmWCrb2C1DdmbcXS-q88vcpoXF7f8IufQ8cC5Z4ijgwznKdLMpB8yS7lduSOcB71yXRDgrvH-QRPUrvW52uCxCAZQFVOS4e6uHERQZYP9oiy-Yff1tBm7mqEsNHDU/s1600/valmonte+-+capecod+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlUTa-ZGjT1Bh85jmWCrb2C1DdmbcXS-q88vcpoXF7f8IufQ8cC5Z4ijgwznKdLMpB8yS7lduSOcB71yXRDgrvH-QRPUrvW52uCxCAZQFVOS4e6uHERQZYP9oiy-Yff1tBm7mqEsNHDU/s640/valmonte+-+capecod+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Both are tastefully done, new construction Cape Cod/Traditional style homes in Valmonte.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-20183997612265560102011-11-18T09:47:00.000-08:002011-11-19T06:27:55.924-08:00Valley ...err Lunada Bay home hits the market!Remember that bluff-adjacent "italian" home <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-we-in-valley.html">I blogged about here</a> and <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/09/construction-update-more-news-in-lunada.html">here?</a> Well, it finally hit the market (see photo below). The home, which measures 5,297sf, sits on a bluff adjacent 15,700sf lot. The lot itself was purchased for $1.5M the end of last year. This mock-terreanean home is listed at $3.8M. Some quick simple math - 5,297sf of living space plus 600sf of garage space is 5,897sf of gross space. Assuming a range of $200 to $250/sf construction costs, that implies a total cost of $1.2 to $1.5M. If we take out 5% realtors' commissions off the asking price, Mulligan and Co stand to make a tidy profit of between $600K to $900K. Can't wait to see how (bad) the interiors look. Stay tuned.<br />
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<i>Updated!</i> More pictures posted from MLS listing (see below).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp49PB_L_3gSInSYP6JZscAfX-Jm40vxz19kBujQ-1jI4VWrBoncCqHoCt5XzKlmA0HhLlo7Tii0eoPoEIa2S05zSo98lCi8ZL1kzfyitdDSmeZ4J2Xq234IPcTwzsR82BdywsP22gi8m/s1600/3004+paseo+del+mar+PVE+-+listed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp49PB_L_3gSInSYP6JZscAfX-Jm40vxz19kBujQ-1jI4VWrBoncCqHoCt5XzKlmA0HhLlo7Tii0eoPoEIa2S05zSo98lCi8ZL1kzfyitdDSmeZ4J2Xq234IPcTwzsR82BdywsP22gi8m/s640/3004+paseo+del+mar+PVE+-+listed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwWUPRQfIckPYCvWSZ0yLfCIKDmj2Uwo3w-a0uNvpEvWuK4TTCTuL4GJYmq4bzsPVf_Hv9HN-XklPDLQte0MCKdhT4dcqmplmHIonhAuDePJ7XzKej7uf0jARiLqxhX9leSvMmDqPrKe2/s1600/V11150352_1_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwWUPRQfIckPYCvWSZ0yLfCIKDmj2Uwo3w-a0uNvpEvWuK4TTCTuL4GJYmq4bzsPVf_Hv9HN-XklPDLQte0MCKdhT4dcqmplmHIonhAuDePJ7XzKej7uf0jARiLqxhX9leSvMmDqPrKe2/s640/V11150352_1_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK4evD9vDaNVl-Xj8DIt78e0OLefgenVOPnYYsuZ-dcxnqFbcjzYLj_Mc2mbUmXXFw3T2qpLc4DIvNNRvdGqfuao8Y4S2k-RKzHxxggsefaB_aT872GUgb5zk4TOcDU0WUb5KYIgUEla/s1600/V11150352_3_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgK4evD9vDaNVl-Xj8DIt78e0OLefgenVOPnYYsuZ-dcxnqFbcjzYLj_Mc2mbUmXXFw3T2qpLc4DIvNNRvdGqfuao8Y4S2k-RKzHxxggsefaB_aT872GUgb5zk4TOcDU0WUb5KYIgUEla/s640/V11150352_3_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAvmXBFrhCaw_5CNxI1bS55SpHQWNnwnOoB1P4AQanlBzX5Jq5T2x8Oe7KV9Oywj_hvgvYEmLgiSWbOY-uzeSKNpReOploKCvDTeBnnitjaLP4mmYJlbUtDQu3UgBtGEAHermgdiKaK7z/s1600/V11150352_7_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAvmXBFrhCaw_5CNxI1bS55SpHQWNnwnOoB1P4AQanlBzX5Jq5T2x8Oe7KV9Oywj_hvgvYEmLgiSWbOY-uzeSKNpReOploKCvDTeBnnitjaLP4mmYJlbUtDQu3UgBtGEAHermgdiKaK7z/s640/V11150352_7_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC0LZSq7g46x9PRDOktRAmaLG41vy4I3OM5W8o_TwZm8C3noGmawFIgoz9pH4hAFsCIxB8HMRfbG5iSOTbG7Vf3M-V3A00ME3C4HeEGSOQ7Qd5M-z8GDRuqL5jUw2L0NGpjbhRo0a7bmT/s1600/V11150352_4_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC0LZSq7g46x9PRDOktRAmaLG41vy4I3OM5W8o_TwZm8C3noGmawFIgoz9pH4hAFsCIxB8HMRfbG5iSOTbG7Vf3M-V3A00ME3C4HeEGSOQ7Qd5M-z8GDRuqL5jUw2L0NGpjbhRo0a7bmT/s640/V11150352_4_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKiG79ZdC0WwVpJOq99UfZm3HCBDIO6lKpIggti-um9rZWGnTXLHZ9Qe9wiU8Sl5d4o5kyOqZItyxBHE53jUG7h3tVEYSBjuYZtgbnmP3eCQnDBYctgrgfsciCmU-gKZPFcFN_vf-hB2u/s1600/V11150352_5_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKiG79ZdC0WwVpJOq99UfZm3HCBDIO6lKpIggti-um9rZWGnTXLHZ9Qe9wiU8Sl5d4o5kyOqZItyxBHE53jUG7h3tVEYSBjuYZtgbnmP3eCQnDBYctgrgfsciCmU-gKZPFcFN_vf-hB2u/s640/V11150352_5_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS1594Qu4Kv9GUSJBeEq4gHNHrMy8tcfdGbdZYdG19yB1FlyxqauF7_Vjb48pVV-8wOe2WWWHh0F6gV1ZXz75cmoFNNlPiHsYOVTMbdAokHrDQSl2YV4GbQJIiqIHZjHgR_IAP_HNkZw3/s1600/V11150352_10_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS1594Qu4Kv9GUSJBeEq4gHNHrMy8tcfdGbdZYdG19yB1FlyxqauF7_Vjb48pVV-8wOe2WWWHh0F6gV1ZXz75cmoFNNlPiHsYOVTMbdAokHrDQSl2YV4GbQJIiqIHZjHgR_IAP_HNkZw3/s640/V11150352_10_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The interior of the home is equally bland. Its standard fare for spec builds in the area. The ceilings look low for a new build - 8 or 9 feet, not the 10-feet you see in higher end builds. The kitchen looks 'builder grade', ie whatever was on clearance at Home Depot. The entryway looks poorly thought out and planned - a singular door that plops you right in front of the stairs - no double-height foyer, no particular architectural details, nothing. This home is thoroughly uninspired.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>KEY STATS</u></span></span></i></b></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Location:</b> Lunada PVE</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Style:</b> Italian</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Year built: </b> 2011</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Architect:</b> Jesus Meza</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Square footage: </b>5,297sf</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Lot size:</b> 15,700sf (irregular)</span></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-63646620021579634182011-11-17T16:24:00.000-08:002011-11-17T16:24:44.174-08:00Some "before" picturesRemember <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/10/another-tomaro-tuscanand-its-nice.html">that Tomaro Tuscan in Montemalaga (link here)</a> ? Well I found some under construction photos of the home which was managed/built by TriSam Development in Torrance. Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ggOAsk4__isZI3Keg72W4oscDdnmLUOaJZkhyphenhyphen0Tuzczfa-vVQ_YB9agZR3QDFD0z8E7IzhXp1YvurZmLglj1Afk-GOAYnC2ryt3wnIXC2muqEy-z-KhSWFrSyq-NQe1SpadochuWB2Yh/s1600/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ggOAsk4__isZI3Keg72W4oscDdnmLUOaJZkhyphenhyphen0Tuzczfa-vVQ_YB9agZR3QDFD0z8E7IzhXp1YvurZmLglj1Afk-GOAYnC2ryt3wnIXC2muqEy-z-KhSWFrSyq-NQe1SpadochuWB2Yh/s640/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHWbiIilWw4TO0uf1RgI4IahB4tA2t9sDtxbcw-xNO832H6Jp375qMD_aHbPO8cgY7lIl6DxdCcQvFUT44TEURvU3Iy5IZTAXA1Bp_fuBp3C3KcIc4jaxh5BP2gteRWXJvh7GD1PPyG2O/s1600/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHWbiIilWw4TO0uf1RgI4IahB4tA2t9sDtxbcw-xNO832H6Jp375qMD_aHbPO8cgY7lIl6DxdCcQvFUT44TEURvU3Iy5IZTAXA1Bp_fuBp3C3KcIc4jaxh5BP2gteRWXJvh7GD1PPyG2O/s640/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XJ-Cq7mM7lEdF60fFiiK_7IwTllcIe4RlwGqM-LivauBirGEXJVpic7n9pgrxBgKpvDeNmee6bcRCi2qE24kN7xOVvq0M0KD08Hgyq5P1KS9aMeMfKtSWmWSLyZwRAU9ka7qLbwNTn5i/s1600/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XJ-Cq7mM7lEdF60fFiiK_7IwTllcIe4RlwGqM-LivauBirGEXJVpic7n9pgrxBgKpvDeNmee6bcRCi2qE24kN7xOVvq0M0KD08Hgyq5P1KS9aMeMfKtSWmWSLyZwRAU9ka7qLbwNTn5i/s640/Via+Mirabel+PVE+-+TriSam+Development+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: TriSam Development</em>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-73480977422122047622011-11-10T23:04:00.001-08:002012-04-20T11:51:40.097-07:00Money may buy you many things, but taste isn't one of them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So today I just thought I'd do another quick post. Remember that <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/07/another-spanish-takes-shape-in-lunada.html">Lunada Bay Spanish home</a> that's listed for sale for $2.8M designed by Doug Leach? Well, its basically done and I'm not a fan!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Judging from the updated MLS pictures, it looks like Mulligan/Leach opted for some beige derivative for the exterior color instead of the more authentic white. Also, as I suspected earlier, the front is too busy. Too much going on. The windows are too big, too ornate with lights on either side, a column separating the two panes. Insufficient white space separating all the ornamentation on the facade. Also, why oh why did Mulligan opt for a cheap plastic garage door that was painted brown? Why not splurge the extra cash on an authentic wooden garage door? If you're spending $1M on construction costs, what's an extra few $K? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can someone explain to me why there is a small wall separating the driveway and the entryway? If you opt for parking your car in the driveway and want to enter the front door, why must you walk all the way around to the pedestrian path?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ip0WgBvGZFtXSS4vZHnXwmES3nundUcvUokGznF3kzvcm94IleOOsiwWF7x6Rv5zhkLf8eMLKiKxOJaM-EhFrQizlkvEtTNFxqbbbvKYcvLoWM6L4ChyitU1a5UJR7OpqNZDQbLQUguF/s1600/1641+Chelsea+Rd+PVE+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ip0WgBvGZFtXSS4vZHnXwmES3nundUcvUokGznF3kzvcm94IleOOsiwWF7x6Rv5zhkLf8eMLKiKxOJaM-EhFrQizlkvEtTNFxqbbbvKYcvLoWM6L4ChyitU1a5UJR7OpqNZDQbLQUguF/s640/1641+Chelsea+Rd+PVE+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<i>Source: MLS</i>)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIOeBqkzMI71rC0qZvCPhe1IkmNtpy-fuH3dK_zzb15YBSf4WzqySU618kqhdVtUvllBxTdEpJ-cdL8brlBXaaIe_IMoPzj33d23bCN4TL4C5dcaQllvKXn90ktr4l2TJuXLnDG2wjP2z/s1600/1641+Chelsea+Rd+PVE+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIOeBqkzMI71rC0qZvCPhe1IkmNtpy-fuH3dK_zzb15YBSf4WzqySU618kqhdVtUvllBxTdEpJ-cdL8brlBXaaIe_IMoPzj33d23bCN4TL4C5dcaQllvKXn90ktr4l2TJuXLnDG2wjP2z/s640/1641+Chelsea+Rd+PVE+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(<i>Source: MLS</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I understand the lot is width-constrained. This lot I believe is 67 feet wide, implying that the home itself is approximately 50 feet wide. That is still plenty of space. Especially considering that several other homes have managed to achieve creative, tasteful, and restrained designs even on 60' wide lots in which the facades are constrained to 43' wide. Take for example this other home in the Valmonte neighborhood which is also listed for sale at $2.4M.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZthAtwxf9rTVUUbSIT-VzmliJv6JEZWGMEpoIPOFWhfuku0uzFryMMMxGAYzQKOVbvg88GWeUNYLqVBNiU58vrs83bNDuqYRa2Asp5yc0U2L0mPk-g7FFp1tBbaiVlx-AaIILQEktj1q/s1600/2409+via+la+selva+pve+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZthAtwxf9rTVUUbSIT-VzmliJv6JEZWGMEpoIPOFWhfuku0uzFryMMMxGAYzQKOVbvg88GWeUNYLqVBNiU58vrs83bNDuqYRa2Asp5yc0U2L0mPk-g7FFp1tBbaiVlx-AaIILQEktj1q/s640/2409+via+la+selva+pve+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<i>Source: MLS</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNMdAjhQDh2U7PMqIoatl4pXVWihwmo6g4ib5D3xgnt44WPeGsyfyN7t-TmEOLhjOS5y2aSTya-Gw-Pup6RBiNxkHbnhcuJMSQl30mJOTEhD0C_wOCQffp4PPSgxR22QvBMXoezGerFYd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-11-11+at+1.54.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNMdAjhQDh2U7PMqIoatl4pXVWihwmo6g4ib5D3xgnt44WPeGsyfyN7t-TmEOLhjOS5y2aSTya-Gw-Pup6RBiNxkHbnhcuJMSQl30mJOTEhD0C_wOCQffp4PPSgxR22QvBMXoezGerFYd/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-11-11+at+1.54.07+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That 3,683sf home built in 2001 sits on a comparatively small 7,886sf lot which is about 63' wide. Yet despite these constraints, the home has loads of architectural features - all tastefully done. It's not one big mass of a home with faux Spanish or faux Italian elements. Its authentic. Its well done indeed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even the siting and layout takes advantage of the natural features.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjeg0pNm4rGEeRVXDz5GBhx8wRQJxal_uANAJMTtsA8cgSCkbcDJRSrAgnN3LltDaLZR-VobTF97D2TDvkLigrl8MFeinDYKUVjYkwF7PZ-4l1fXawDJVA-s2q799WpdezOeT6JtW9Bfr/s1600/2401+via+la+selva+pve+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjeg0pNm4rGEeRVXDz5GBhx8wRQJxal_uANAJMTtsA8cgSCkbcDJRSrAgnN3LltDaLZR-VobTF97D2TDvkLigrl8MFeinDYKUVjYkwF7PZ-4l1fXawDJVA-s2q799WpdezOeT6JtW9Bfr/s640/2401+via+la+selva+pve+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(<i>Source: MLS</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure who the architect was on this project. The original homeowners, who have listed this home for sale, bought the lot with an older home on it in 1998 for $750K. They tore that home down and built this beauty in 2001.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>KEY STATS</u></span></span></i></b></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Location:</b> Valmonte PVE</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Style:</b> Cape Cod</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Year built: </b> 2001</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Architect:</b> Unknown</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Square footage: </b>4,000sf</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Lot size:</b> 7,886sf (63'x130')</span></span></i></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to say, that despite the atrocities of the Leach/Mulligan Spanish home, there are some truly beautiful homes in PVE. Furthermore, for all my issues with the Art Jury being asleep at the wheel, they have at least prevented some absolute extremities of design from popping up in the city. Unlike Beverly Hills. Check out this home below, which is currently listed at $5.8M and spans 8,675sf. The listing description heralds the house as a "one of a kind" home "with French and Italian style." I think the photos say it all - no further commentary needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD52bMOsusYmox_psLsQkBU4Nv1Cterj15aToHrqqn7HVo364a8aOXgOwdIzqSVN8w3hky-u5cZP4_muHNKwOHCK2mspy9jFIg2OwBc5eqg_35s8UXN_zWyp-RaT81wpKStoVbkmMbNIa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-11-11+at+12.31.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD52bMOsusYmox_psLsQkBU4Nv1Cterj15aToHrqqn7HVo364a8aOXgOwdIzqSVN8w3hky-u5cZP4_muHNKwOHCK2mspy9jFIg2OwBc5eqg_35s8UXN_zWyp-RaT81wpKStoVbkmMbNIa/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-11-11+at+12.31.21+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLW66Qo2HjdTvLMZfMKAEMMOvhV93Pn_lVHl5elnC4T9YSJNnOulzMeMzIH23yM0anROCDVcR9y0qdC8HLMacazJzTpg2Mu-sK2Z4L5HNPRxxrGAowg4hI3ZId2AjtkWo-vQEnwhyphenhyphen70N1/s1600/1455+Robmar+Dr+BH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLW66Qo2HjdTvLMZfMKAEMMOvhV93Pn_lVHl5elnC4T9YSJNnOulzMeMzIH23yM0anROCDVcR9y0qdC8HLMacazJzTpg2Mu-sK2Z4L5HNPRxxrGAowg4hI3ZId2AjtkWo-vQEnwhyphenhyphen70N1/s640/1455+Robmar+Dr+BH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: MLS</i>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-77643579289162409102011-10-20T08:36:00.000-07:002011-10-20T08:40:20.872-07:00Are we in the Valley?Quick updates today. Remember that<a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/09/construction-update-more-news-in-lunada.html"> monstrocity in Lunada Bay that I wrote about (more here)</a> ? Well, my fears were confirmed when I checked out the progress being made. Here's what the first of the two homes looks like as of last week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzrrlxGFP1s_GE40OGCLmUWMkuLKXh1Be2A41GDbl6vVzF2oSES6pF699IJZzbaD1sxk_iVXHTg97JBLac9PtFANQOpAiXE5ymHEcel94Aw4RyXHoRQUEtXWS8PaYs9XZZkyOATfgS9Ga/s1600/paseodelmar1sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzrrlxGFP1s_GE40OGCLmUWMkuLKXh1Be2A41GDbl6vVzF2oSES6pF699IJZzbaD1sxk_iVXHTg97JBLac9PtFANQOpAiXE5ymHEcel94Aw4RyXHoRQUEtXWS8PaYs9XZZkyOATfgS9Ga/s640/paseodelmar1sm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvguqkpQN8Mgq7_yhZ5whH4Nenk-au3o7F1P-kV59s5smPY64Fo_S30KOA0I6DAs3sr45shosL4SNUirosKbKhWObEcwzpM28K45RWqmVO6mfVCxeZRRKkgWdaM5JKbSk7SEAf6iKoT11/s1600/paseodelmar2sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvguqkpQN8Mgq7_yhZ5whH4Nenk-au3o7F1P-kV59s5smPY64Fo_S30KOA0I6DAs3sr45shosL4SNUirosKbKhWObEcwzpM28K45RWqmVO6mfVCxeZRRKkgWdaM5JKbSk7SEAf6iKoT11/s640/paseodelmar2sm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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This is a cartoon of a home if I ever saw one. It's a block. Well, three blocks. With windows. Lots of them. Close together. Doors. Lots of them. Close together too. And the three car garage! The siting and massing of this house is atrocious! And what's more, rather than even attempting to have any semblance of authenticity by say, painting the home white and using a deeper red tile, the home is yellow. With orange tile. I mean, if you're going to go with something that is overly simple, at least do it well. This home is a McMansion. The kind you normally find in the Valley or Riverside County. It does not belong on a bluff top lot in PV.<br />
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If the owner/builders were going for the symmetric, stately yet informal, balanced facade look, they could have gone with this home below which was built last year in Beverly Hills. While this home too is imperfect, it still is head and shoulders above the Paseo del Mar McMansion!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5Uk0PHAzwVOKuK6neN1EBS4W6IxtlyBP2dpKX2ivwuLNDEJpo73ck_wICSEq_0sA0CsTnhf4mHnTNfO9Of_Arz2384SIFdrJfnQ0e_I8kbIpVMeo0iyviafZ4J9DztkpFUd6DPGGnyTA/s1600/616nfoothill+1sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5Uk0PHAzwVOKuK6neN1EBS4W6IxtlyBP2dpKX2ivwuLNDEJpo73ck_wICSEq_0sA0CsTnhf4mHnTNfO9Of_Arz2384SIFdrJfnQ0e_I8kbIpVMeo0iyviafZ4J9DztkpFUd6DPGGnyTA/s640/616nfoothill+1sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxPf05s5-zTLvO46tIdzriM43tV3XHXRmVKg3AeD3Sy-QVZL2Z2UVT8UW8Org0LfCG_tWzT-jOX0hE0O9FMzbATPy_YquqHIZjHa-91iCYt66Ha8CjIzHLfqVRl-KFRxN6-04k5auPTBZ/s1600/616nfoothill+2sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxPf05s5-zTLvO46tIdzriM43tV3XHXRmVKg3AeD3Sy-QVZL2Z2UVT8UW8Org0LfCG_tWzT-jOX0hE0O9FMzbATPy_YquqHIZjHa-91iCYt66Ha8CjIzHLfqVRl-KFRxN6-04k5auPTBZ/s640/616nfoothill+2sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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This example is a simplified, somewhat symmetric and balanced facade. The BH home has the right color palette. Better massing. The design is restrained, graceful even. Sufficient white space. Etc.<br />
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What do you all think?<br />
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Also, one other quick update. The other home I wrote about is nearly complete - and its a beauty! <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_876444172"></span><span id="goog_876444173"></span><br />
<a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/05/under-construction-unique-spanish-home.html">You remember this one?</a> Well here it is, all grown up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKrDBvcm2c-Rga4SEFMnw24l-3pnhBYF3ntb9nzCv21aDNGivRXj1K8-A3ZKHF1WI4d8XJu0zn2buNgD0vugspjLc3dDnvz2NWleMNqp9t5RWhCslx0jl9F1Vk9tkz5Ra2DaaoOnwbSF7/s1600/viarivera1sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKrDBvcm2c-Rga4SEFMnw24l-3pnhBYF3ntb9nzCv21aDNGivRXj1K8-A3ZKHF1WI4d8XJu0zn2buNgD0vugspjLc3dDnvz2NWleMNqp9t5RWhCslx0jl9F1Vk9tkz5Ra2DaaoOnwbSF7/s640/viarivera1sm.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: NJC</em>)<br />
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We need more homes likes this! Unique, authentic designs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-34794104936402684262011-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:002011-10-11T09:08:46.742-07:00Since we're on a Tomaro theme...Thought I'd drop a quick note today on another project of Louie Tomaro - this one isn't in PV - it's in Manhattan Beach, where Tomaro Design does most of their work. In this home, on 1st Street, Tomaro, the architect on the job, remodels the interior by reversing the floorplan to move the living spaces back downstairs. This is to accomodate some property acquisitions of the homeowners in which they added a large lawn, pool and pool house (see aerial below). The 6,650sf home now sits on a very large (by beach cities standards) 13,200sf lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIEXFUVM426GYKEh48RcYbEP3LNN7jNYlzrWentP3ULjl4HRv5smYNlZygRkepRcCasVNco_-P1TBm-vVg7aQyZtv3LOiXiR1N1TLzG2valWPGQIQJ5ZH6VMvznyY5cWEQq_e1hH7AQdg/s1600/1st+st+mb+-+aerial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="577" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIEXFUVM426GYKEh48RcYbEP3LNN7jNYlzrWentP3ULjl4HRv5smYNlZygRkepRcCasVNco_-P1TBm-vVg7aQyZtv3LOiXiR1N1TLzG2valWPGQIQJ5ZH6VMvznyY5cWEQq_e1hH7AQdg/s640/1st+st+mb+-+aerial.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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One of the other remodels Tomaro did to the home - and the reason I'm writing this post - is converting the Italian-esque/McMansion exterior to a "softer, Santa Barbara" style. What do you all think of the changed facade?<br />
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Original:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd3L77QZRYSoy0ADQKmg4xCABVT6EEvhLotRMJwTvmr0LPp-8fJ6H8SZyU5qfx2B8JcYQGSAES-_mAqKtRy8qVvk9MCsPvySGnNwp1cYwiJE3unEQdZfQ_D2wtY_F0WsCwcyYQgXATwQV/s1600/1st+st+mb+-+old+facade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd3L77QZRYSoy0ADQKmg4xCABVT6EEvhLotRMJwTvmr0LPp-8fJ6H8SZyU5qfx2B8JcYQGSAES-_mAqKtRy8qVvk9MCsPvySGnNwp1cYwiJE3unEQdZfQ_D2wtY_F0WsCwcyYQgXATwQV/s640/1st+st+mb+-+old+facade.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> (<em>Source: Google Maps</em>)<br />
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New:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDBG01xvR9sBIAWVVEZ8-o4YXmH4_mTYx7aPe3kwVPWgG70ELGyFVvWF1-UawNgi2KDOtpiKUPH6m7cehUhgK5ZC0c_p8ZFOkwnrRtsQMchvNc2TvWQQVjm3rl8D5uM7PNY3pYF0B8AFW/s1600/1st+st+mb+-+new+facade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDBG01xvR9sBIAWVVEZ8-o4YXmH4_mTYx7aPe3kwVPWgG70ELGyFVvWF1-UawNgi2KDOtpiKUPH6m7cehUhgK5ZC0c_p8ZFOkwnrRtsQMchvNc2TvWQQVjm3rl8D5uM7PNY3pYF0B8AFW/s640/1st+st+mb+-+new+facade.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<em>Source: Tomaro</em>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-90976906625830083032011-10-05T20:19:00.000-07:002011-10-05T22:20:12.602-07:00Another Tomaro Tuscan...And It's Nice!Greetings! Today, we're heading to Italy...err Montemalaga in PVE where I bring you a six-year old Italian designed by Louie Tomaro. The Yan-Tu Residence.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPBma84RPVuwEj5z4LrrTrfQ9O3s-s9_HVywZV4Fdme87HOWCsMZ_iruG4YTajmtX2f-UAtDs52wplvDDV9dWav60cGGFmPzcZIIKO85tqBks5syYNm2BZnuCM5CGg65-ja08ElkFMmjY/s1600/front2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPBma84RPVuwEj5z4LrrTrfQ9O3s-s9_HVywZV4Fdme87HOWCsMZ_iruG4YTajmtX2f-UAtDs52wplvDDV9dWav60cGGFmPzcZIIKO85tqBks5syYNm2BZnuCM5CGg65-ja08ElkFMmjY/s640/front2.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtimoI7sN96JK1o4gakiogV59_ey_hUubf8owaPuFuiZaeMB3VT7mFiCPTZRz3Nw2arp_98X9lsIdudWM3ChqvkwUAZvCA_TRuFA_VGl1rey2KdslvhyphenhyphenPaPw7oGJSeshVEzhUzXDwQmWXf/s1600/front+-+taken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtimoI7sN96JK1o4gakiogV59_ey_hUubf8owaPuFuiZaeMB3VT7mFiCPTZRz3Nw2arp_98X9lsIdudWM3ChqvkwUAZvCA_TRuFA_VGl1rey2KdslvhyphenhyphenPaPw7oGJSeshVEzhUzXDwQmWXf/s640/front+-+taken.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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Doesn't this home remind you a little bit of the <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-think-im-in-love.html">Pasadena home I blogged about before?</a> Situated on a full acre of flat hilltop land, the home spans a near-excessive 11,304sf with 6 bedrooms and a whopping 10 bathrooms! The homeowners bought the lot in early 2002 for $2.3M and then built this home in 2005. The home replaces a much older (and smaller home) that once sat on this expansive, view-adjacent lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsyikhyd_4-NE7z2y9f1Tay7hhBzzoFPDCkV9zIqNZC76GGWaT_YWKpJeUlxECBsySUrbHZntoqctM9sqWKZUUxocz1Aw90cEb4yMBZAEdb7u5cn07kRnqs6vQNqPC76tFv7i7QowHeIa/s1600/before-after.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsyikhyd_4-NE7z2y9f1Tay7hhBzzoFPDCkV9zIqNZC76GGWaT_YWKpJeUlxECBsySUrbHZntoqctM9sqWKZUUxocz1Aw90cEb4yMBZAEdb7u5cn07kRnqs6vQNqPC76tFv7i7QowHeIa/s640/before-after.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Historic Aerials, Google Maps</i>)<br />
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It is a shame that the homeowners cleared a number of trees in the backyard to make room for a tennis court (especially when there are perfectly good tennis courts at the PV Country Club down the road). <br />
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That said, the home offers a lot to love. Let's start at the front. I know, I know - I'm a stickler for sizing and abundance of windows. Here though, I think it works. While I agree there are a ton of windows (and the reason for it, I assume, is to take advantage of the killer hilltop view on that side of the home), I think they are softened by the arches and the trees. The windows are also appropriately recessed to the right depth/thickness, unlike the McMansion fare you normally see. The facade has alternating sections to break up the 80-foot wide northern face - this adds a lot of visual interest without appearing too distracting (it's not <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/03/oh-doug-no-no-no.html">busy like this monstrocity</a>). Also, the facade is set back between 50 and 80 feet from the street, depending on which part of the facade you're measuring from.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBkwO4ZjNwhcHH5bCBHI4TT2XWMMoBa1WA89nQFi8ySdGrxrqtSIV00phMt1B7pUCbcDu7URK5x6Ka7e7d8qqGmUHX_nuLe2HwtLQ3ouwxK61bNyPIRDWDXLt7rm0kUobkSOzC7VNJ6V_/s1600/front+2+-+taken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBkwO4ZjNwhcHH5bCBHI4TT2XWMMoBa1WA89nQFi8ySdGrxrqtSIV00phMt1B7pUCbcDu7URK5x6Ka7e7d8qqGmUHX_nuLe2HwtLQ3ouwxK61bNyPIRDWDXLt7rm0kUobkSOzC7VNJ6V_/s640/front+2+-+taken.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwueyU1jhYUpUnhhArOFSASWoO4JktEsSJyPFSUHz0pU7MqmSuZCvI4s8sazLgZYYWeDYak2RVoAh7_cSxrHj-akr5OsskdCdyFI1yG1UB32vDPTpHv-REZ82j86BuEk41xFXKMeL3ltRZ/s1600/front+side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwueyU1jhYUpUnhhArOFSASWoO4JktEsSJyPFSUHz0pU7MqmSuZCvI4s8sazLgZYYWeDYak2RVoAh7_cSxrHj-akr5OsskdCdyFI1yG1UB32vDPTpHv-REZ82j86BuEk41xFXKMeL3ltRZ/s640/front+side.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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How about the landscaping! Very lush but not over the top! Moving to the rear of the home, what estate would be complete without the requisite pool and tennis court - this one has both.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIa-E54ohb7JuCTKgVHOTRbgvkT0tt-_FbaNQeCAYIHyytXwo_VugP-876NjhwTWRkSpfQeo7hR9VmxA_7tEtpQTi40YVBIqZPJ1VbXIEpengHhxN6D3ArxFV0TX9J8tZH10jswSTPLKr/s1600/front+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIa-E54ohb7JuCTKgVHOTRbgvkT0tt-_FbaNQeCAYIHyytXwo_VugP-876NjhwTWRkSpfQeo7hR9VmxA_7tEtpQTi40YVBIqZPJ1VbXIEpengHhxN6D3ArxFV0TX9J8tZH10jswSTPLKr/s640/front+3.png" width="640" /></a></div> (<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiww7bshp5LusXzkaCItla0c84-Ab0r4Q5JSQWcwkiqV2rDOMI9X8g2t2NcV7sQfXtnh4UUXdhGwbqEQH6pdkzCktzzkY7POHGusWuuL4CtKUF0_IwpzyQrAA_xYir0Sv4TWDq3rOhyh4/s1600/side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiww7bshp5LusXzkaCItla0c84-Ab0r4Q5JSQWcwkiqV2rDOMI9X8g2t2NcV7sQfXtnh4UUXdhGwbqEQH6pdkzCktzzkY7POHGusWuuL4CtKUF0_IwpzyQrAA_xYir0Sv4TWDq3rOhyh4/s640/side.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKpfZr5hXXSVTjo2br0XV-NHMJZG0ITY8jE0oD244c0DWsvS0AxRWAYYekJ_JkNAGfeNOpALSQt3uRs2B5bytjYyQTJtn95yj2HhcGE2PINu7wdXTyFfh7xHzyNOVyuTStHEiQxeXzCiQ/s1600/rear.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKpfZr5hXXSVTjo2br0XV-NHMJZG0ITY8jE0oD244c0DWsvS0AxRWAYYekJ_JkNAGfeNOpALSQt3uRs2B5bytjYyQTJtn95yj2HhcGE2PINu7wdXTyFfh7xHzyNOVyuTStHEiQxeXzCiQ/s640/rear.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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The rear of the home shows that there is indeed a lot going on. Without better, closer up shots, its hard to opine on the aesthetic integrity of the home. However, I am pleased to see that the homeowners retained most of the trees in the rear, adjacent to the tennis court and casita.<br />
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There is one thing I don't like about the house - the corner entry and driveway. Notice where the northern facade and western facade meet in the aerial shot. It has an angular cut which makes way for a curved driveway and main entrance. The entrance looks like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aXSK2kRa11_1EZwYnB4vm_60enxhMs_oEN3qlMOfDjJ-3bX2hpmkuFMNzRdvSb1PXPOUofgfjIjrm81LIBfatrPi4IZIf1dLwOu_S9UFfB-OaGPuczlufJc_ytNl5waTFP05RJP31wsI/s1600/main+entry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aXSK2kRa11_1EZwYnB4vm_60enxhMs_oEN3qlMOfDjJ-3bX2hpmkuFMNzRdvSb1PXPOUofgfjIjrm81LIBfatrPi4IZIf1dLwOu_S9UFfB-OaGPuczlufJc_ytNl5waTFP05RJP31wsI/s640/main+entry.png" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: Google Maps</i>)<br />
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It's as though Tomaro couldn't figure out how to connect the two nice facades and so instead did this! Surely there is a better alternative. Anyway, outside of that, the house in my view is a welcomed addition to the PVE housing stock.<br />
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Overall, I am a big fan of the home. I think its a very well executed design.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>KEY STATS</u></span></span></i></b></div><div style="color: #1f3e5f; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Location:</b> Montemalaga, PVE</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Style:</b> Italian</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Year built: </b> 2005</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Architect:</b> Louie Tomaro</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Square footage: </b>11,304f </span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>Lot size:</b> 43,124 (irregular, 190'x240')</span></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-62073556989282811632011-09-30T06:35:00.001-07:002011-09-30T06:35:58.678-07:00A few more posts coming soon!Stay tuned... a couple of posts in the queue!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097101584986494225.post-9616100379934077292011-09-16T14:07:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:07:54.716-07:00Construction update - More news in LunadaA quick one today - an update in Lunada Bay. New parcels of land on Paseo del Mar that were previously vacant saw their first home go up (or close to it). The closest one to the bluff, which measures about 0.5 acres, sold for $1.7M in mid 2010 after being listed at $2.35M for some time. The smaller lot, about 0.35 acres, sold shortly thereafter for $1.5M. Both were bought by Mulligan Development. You can see the evolution below, from flagging to construction. Looks like the smaller lot, farther from the bluffs is going up first (probably to sell it while it has a view before the next home goes up in front of it).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1petuRKPM-_HY8hYkZsRrQQkyebkgz9S6tfDr9_Bq4wtaUtMXNwK_u15AFQCYULX7Gm2TqAs6na8_Y2odhTWXUdT2Om9_Yt54hIT-T34_19LiVl2UCAVcU2J2pZAa6uW-KmulA4bL8Odp/s1600/flagging+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1petuRKPM-_HY8hYkZsRrQQkyebkgz9S6tfDr9_Bq4wtaUtMXNwK_u15AFQCYULX7Gm2TqAs6na8_Y2odhTWXUdT2Om9_Yt54hIT-T34_19LiVl2UCAVcU2J2pZAa6uW-KmulA4bL8Odp/s640/flagging+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> (<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQY0ZXN0K1Wdc7_9p7QMHLJgZq1x_qfzK7SMRLLOkxvW9zAT19nsHoqtrIr8U-ZmIkPeeMHZjIGvEhAQ-W64YonpFUhoyy-h5j17dSAIhO2EH_-HySIvo4wgTp0LYTWQsWnirb27J9aT6/s1600/flagging+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQY0ZXN0K1Wdc7_9p7QMHLJgZq1x_qfzK7SMRLLOkxvW9zAT19nsHoqtrIr8U-ZmIkPeeMHZjIGvEhAQ-W64YonpFUhoyy-h5j17dSAIhO2EH_-HySIvo4wgTp0LYTWQsWnirb27J9aT6/s640/flagging+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaSPs2jNPo527cDyqDvhwlboDWlr9YB70oQLRa0uVid91538M-9BbtNKFioh_9jLhp1usz00s5uD30ioUH4LcO7sZpMv_ioWsiSOKEl6-bpzkmp4BsYCKvKLcpslDAxPG2v9Z2uiSV8TS/s1600/constr+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaSPs2jNPo527cDyqDvhwlboDWlr9YB70oQLRa0uVid91538M-9BbtNKFioh_9jLhp1usz00s5uD30ioUH4LcO7sZpMv_ioWsiSOKEl6-bpzkmp4BsYCKvKLcpslDAxPG2v9Z2uiSV8TS/s640/constr+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxbFmhiQeNze3Fz57DdelRu_hplUbEYB3l1iawIPTJ5ffQhMV48ieHaPZMLcsNfPmnR34OYqehyphenhyphenwEoHtLE61fLZ3ywksGqAVJTmeuxYkLDS99CDIJhcI7tEhCiLy607BeEYeI5XEO6GAL/s1600/constr+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxbFmhiQeNze3Fz57DdelRu_hplUbEYB3l1iawIPTJ5ffQhMV48ieHaPZMLcsNfPmnR34OYqehyphenhyphenwEoHtLE61fLZ3ywksGqAVJTmeuxYkLDS99CDIJhcI7tEhCiLy607BeEYeI5XEO6GAL/s640/constr+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>(<i>Source: NJC</i>)<br />
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Mulligan, as you may remember, has been building the other under construction home I was blogging about in Lunada - this one: <a href="http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/08/lunada-bay-coming-along-nicely.html">http://homesofpalosverdes.blogspot.com/2011/08/lunada-bay-coming-along-nicely.html</a> <br />
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As you'll recall, he used Doug Leach for that home. But for the Paseo del Mar projects, he's using an known gentleman named Jesus Meza - who's address on the construction applications appears to be his own home in Los Angeles. Doing a little more digging, it looks as though Meza used to work for Ashai Design and is now on his own. (Anyone else have any info here?)<br />
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The Paseo del Mar house that's going up now looks like it will be another McMansion - oversized windows, front facing garage, a unusually imbalanced looking roofline, etc etc. Also, note from the flagging how close the second home will be to this one! Let's pray I'm wrong, but thus far, I'm not a fan. Thoughts?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4