Silver Lake Area Real Estate News And Information

Laughlin Park- an exclusive, gated community in Los Feliz

Laughlin Park is an exclusive, gated community in Los Feliz that was rated by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the "top five" neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  Established in 1905, the enclave is secure behind five gates between Los Feliz Blvd and Franklin Avenue on the Western edge of Los Feliz. Laughlin Park was once home to many of Hollywood's rich and famous including W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplain and Cecil B. DeMille. DeillMe's villa was built by developer Homer Laughlin who's intention was to build a neighborhood of 40 villas.  Subsequent lot divisions have brought that number to 60 homes. DeMille's villa was built on the largest, highest lot in Laughlin Park providing majestic panoramic views. Today many well-known celebrities and filmmakers are still drawn to the neighborhood with its quiet seclusion and peaceful tree shaded streets.

The Laughlin Park enclave includes the largest and most expensive homes in the Los Feliz area. The grand estates run the gamut in architectural styles from English, Mediterranean and Craftsman to Traditional and Modernist, many with remarkable city and ocean views. The area saw its share of works a number of renowned architects. Lloyd Wright figured prominently in the design of more than five Laughlin Park homes.

The Laughlin Park community remains well-cared for largely due to the effort of its voluntary homeowners association which maintains the gates and the private streets. This close knit neighborhood, like The Los Feliz Oaks, has loyal residence and shows great pride in ownership.

There are currently no homes for sale in Laughlin Park. The last sale in this exclusive neighborhood was the Antonio Moreno estate at 5180 Linwood Dr. This 8000sf home on 1/2 acre sold in October of last year for $3,475,000. For more information on laughlin Park, The Oaks, Los Feliz, and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Copyright © 2010 By Jenny Durling *All Rights Reserved * Laughlin Park- an exclusive, gated community in Los Feliz

The Oaks- Tree studded enclave in the hills of Los Feliz

The oaks is a neighborhood of hillside homes between Beachwood Canyon and Griffith Park bounded by  Fern Dell Drive on the east and Foothill Drive to the south. The area got its name due to the majority of the neighborhood street names have the word "Oak" in them such as "Spreading Oak", "Live Oak", "Red Oak".  This neighborhood has a feeling of privacy and seclusion with its winding, hilly, tree lined streets. Many homes have canyon and city views all the way to the ocean.

The Oaks offers a mix of architectural styles with a large number of mid-century and traditional style homes built in the 1960's as well as 20's and 30's Mediterraneans with lots of square footage, big yards and views for miles. If you don't know your way around it can be easy to get lost in the winding streets, some of which end right in Griffith Park.

The Oaks is a draw to many in the Entertainment industry. In its heyday, it was home to stars like Cary Grant and Randolph Scott. The area still attracts Hollywood celebrities both in front and behind the camera. Brad Pit and Angelina Jolie have been buying homes on their street in the Oaks for their own personal compound and now own close to 1.5 acres.  But this exclusive neighborhood is not only for the rich and famous. The Oaks has a very active homeowners association and the neighborhood pride of ownership and loyalty is something not seen in many other areas of Los Angeles. It seems once someone moves to the Oaks they are unlikely to leave the neighborhood, simply moving to another home within its borders.

There are currently only 2 homes for sale in The Oaks, one at 5417 RED OAK DR  listed for $1,240,000 and the other at 5740 HILL OAK DR  listed for $2,175,000.  To see either of these properties of for more information on Los Feliz, the Hollywood Hills  and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Copyright © 2010 By Jenny Durling *All Rights Reserved * The Oaks- Tree studded enclave in the hills of Los Feliz

The Vista Theater in Los Feliz, one of Los Angeles' great remaining single screen theaters

When you think of going to see a movie, no doubt you think of the local multiplex, with multiple stadium seating theaters.  When I was growing up in L.A., I was lucky to live in a neighborhood with two old single screen theaters complete with neon marquis and mosaic tile flooring out front around the ticket booth.  Unfortunately, both of those theaters are gone now. They left the façades in place but the buildings now house business office rather than carrying the air of warm popcorn.

Folks living in Silver Lake and Los Feliz are lucky to still have a great single screen theater.  The Vista Theater at the corner of Sunset and Hollywood Blvd in Los Feliz is a piece of living history that's still going strong today.  Originally opened in 1923, the Vista Theater was home to vaudeville stage acts. It now plays first run movies and many local folks will tell you it's miles above seeing a moving at any of the myriad choices in the area.

 The exterior of the Vista Theater is most certainly Spanish, in style but the ticket booth and interior are Egyptian-inspried with carved Egyptian maidens and serpents, most likely to compete with Grauman's Theater in Hollywood which was built around the same time period.

Though Los Feliz has a few theaters, none compare to the Vista Theater. This is a true gem, not only for its history and terrific architecture, but ticket prices are really reasonable and the legroom is fantastic.  When the theater was remodeled back in 2002, every other row of seats was pulled out. If someone has to walk by you, you barely have to move your feet. There is more legroom in this theater than you'd ever dream of. The space between the rows also makes it more comfortable to watch a movie without having to hear the people behind you chatting or unwrapping their chocolate bars.

The Vista Theater is the oldest movie theater in Los Felizbut when it was refurbished, it was also updated with all the sound and electronic gizmos you'd find in a fancy new theater. It's just a much more elegant place to see a movie.  The theater has no parking lot, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the next block buster there. You'll find plenty of places to park along Hollywood and Sunset and walking a few blocks after the movie might make up at least a little for that large popcorn you'll enjoy!

 For more information on real estate in Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock and surrounding areas, contact Jenny Durling at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com  

 Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com