A Look at Real Estate in Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA

An older, artist enclave typified by hilly neighborhoods, character homes, Highland Park real estate is enjoying a renaissance of sorts.

Highland Park is one of Los Angeles’ oldest settled communities and one of the first suburbs of the city. Close to Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA, this neighborhood provides easy access across the city. The Metro Gold line (between Pasadena and Downtown) stops just off Figueroa, adding to Highland Park’s convenience. The historic Arroyo Seco Parkway, California 110, passes through Highland Park and provides a quick thoroughfare from Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles and further South.

Highland Park has a history of attracting an eclectic and diverse population. Some examples: Charles Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum; Clyde Browne, who built the Abbey San Encino; the Judson family, who ran Judson Studios. Today, Highland Park’s residents continue to be a diverse bunch. Many have lived in the area for decades, while newcomers from other neighborhoods in Los Angeles and from out of town are also recognizing Highland Park’s great community.

Many small business owners have chosen Highland Park as the place to open their doors, and the York Boulevard corridor has become a hotspot for new shops and restaurants. The past few years have seen a new French restaurant (Ba), coffee shops (Cafe de Leche, The Highland Cafe), a gourmet burger joint (Fusion Burger), plus several art galleries (Avenue 50 Studio, THIS Gallery, MorYork), a used book shop (Pop-Hop), and many more, open their doors.

Highland Park also provides fine examples of early Los Angeles architecture, from sweet Craftsman bungalows to exquisite Victorian cottages. In recent years there has been a resurgence of renovations and restorations of many of Highland Park’s homes. Home to the largest Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in the city, the citizens of Highland Park take their character homes seriously. A hardy band of volunteers tirelessly hold home and art tours for the public’s edification and enjoyment through community organizations like the Arroyo Art Collective and the Highland Park Heritage Trust.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, it is imperative that they hire a Highland Park realtor who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and understands the local market.

A Look at Real Estate in Glendale, CA

Glendale, CA real estate has been booming since the city began its methodical facelift along with an economic, creative and cultural rebirth.

Glendale is a city located in the eastern corner of the San Fernando Valley, to the west of Eagle Rock and Pasadena. Glendale is home to one of the largest communities of Armenians in the United States, with 25% of the population being Armenian.

In the early part of the 1900s, Glendale grew quickly, with Brand Boulevard becoming a center for shopping, business, and entertainment. When the 134 and 2 freeways were completed in the 1970s, Glendale again saw a rise in development. The Glendale Galleria, one of the largest shopping malls in the country, was completed in 1976, and more shops and businesses opened up along Brand Boulevard, which is now known as one of the main shopping and business corridors in Glendale. In 2008, the Americana at Brand, an outdoor shopping and residential community, was opened to the public.

Many of Glendale’s homes were custom-built in the 1920s-1940s. Architectural styles vary greatly. There are also many different neighborhoods that make up Glendale, which vary greatly – from the small town feel of Montrose to the urban living environment at the Americana to several hilly areas with homes that feature spectacular views of the valley and mountains. Some other neighborhoods include Adams Hill, Sparr Heights, Verdugo Woodlands, Rossmoyne, Montecito Park, Chevy Chase Canyon, and El Miradero.

Glendale has many historical and cultural monuments. Forest Lawn Memorial Park (the original location being in Glendale) is a privately owned cemetery and park, created to provide an enjoyable atmosphere to celebrate the dead. In addition to its park-like grounds, Forest Lawn has a museum displaying art and artifacts from all over the world. Brand Library and Art Center, housed in the El Miradero mansion built in 1904, features a collection of works, as well as many art and music events. The grounds of Brand Park are great for hiking, picnicking, and more.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Glendale, CA, it is imperative that they hire a Glendale real estate agent who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and understands the local market.

A Look at Pasadena, CA Real Estate

Pasadena real estate has always been in demand thanks to its natural scenic beauty and neighborhoods of mission revival homes, historic craftsman homes and bungalows.

Pasadena is a city in the San Gabriel Valley that borders the northeast corner of Los Angeles. Famous for hosting the Rose Bowl football game and the Tournament of Roses Parade each year, Pasadena is also a cultural hub of the San Gabriel Valley. It is home to the California Institute of Technology, the Norton Simon museum, Pasadena City College, Art Center of Design, Fuller Theological Seminary, the Pasadena Playhouse, Pacific Asia Museum, and more.

There are several areas in Pasadena that provide excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment. Old Town Pasadena spans 21 blocks of upscale retail shops, a wide variety of restaurants, and many bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, and comedy clubs. Paseo Colorado is an open-air mall designed to be an urban village with housing, entertainment, grocery shopping, and more. South Lake Avenue is a shopping district further east, which provides more shopping and dining experiences, and is home to a California registered landmark Macy’s building (originally built in the 1950s as a Bullock’s department store).

Pasadena is comprised of many different neighborhoods: Bungalow Heaven, Historic Highlands, Garfield Heights, San Rafael, Linda Vista, Madison Heights, Oak Knoll, Old Town, Orange Heights, Prospect Park, South Lake, Library District, Hastings Ranch, Arroyo Seco, Washington Square, Chapman, and Caltech neighborhood. Each neighborhood features various architectural styles and is made up of a wide spectrum of socio-economic classes.

Pasadena features some of the most beautifully designed homes in the area, ranging from Craftsman bungalows to mid century designs. Many famous architects have designed houses and buildings in Pasadena, including Myron Hunt (Central Library and Rose Bowl), Greene and Greene (the Gamble House), Reginald Johnson, Buff and Hensman, Wallace Kneff, and Sylvanus Marston.

Situated off the 134, 110, and 210 freeways, Pasadena is centrally located and provides an easy commute across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. The Metro Gold line ends in Pasadena, which allows for easy access to Downtown LA and beyond.

The word Pasadena literally means “valley” in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian language, but it has been interpreted to mean “Crown of the Valley” and “Key of the Valley,” which is represented by the crown and the key in the official city seal.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Pasadena, CA, it is imperative that they hire a Pasadena realtor who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and the local market.