HPOZ Zones in Northeast Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a large megalopolis with a variety of unique neighborhoods. Los Angeles is home to a handful of intact historic neighborhoods that Los Angeles is striving to protect. These neighborhoods have unique cultural and architectural aspects, which earn them the title of historic districts. Los Angeles has developed a project called the Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs). HPOZ is a collection of historic and unique resources that is recognized by the Los Angeles City Planning Department and the City Council and granted HPOZ status.  There are currently 29 official HPOZs in Los Angeles.

In Northeast Los Angeles alone, HPOZs are located primarily in Angelino Heights, Lincoln Heights and Highland Park, all of which are some of LA’s oldest neighborhoods.

Once an area is granted HPOZ status, they have an HPOZ area added to their zoning and must obey specific regulations under the Los Angeles Municipal Code. Each area with HPOZ status has a board of five members who monitor the projects of the area and keep it historically preserved. Any types of changes or alterations in properties within a HPOZ require an official approval from the Planning Department.

There are many advantages to living in a HPOZ.  The board must approve any type of construction or remodeling in a HPOZ. This prevents any unnecessary changes to the neighborhood and keeps the area charming and unique. All homes in a HPOZ have increased property values and make the residents eligible for property tax reductions. Citizens in HPOZ zones are offered advice and guidance from the council on how to effectively maintain the character of their homes at a cost efficient price. Neighborhoods in HPOZ areas have a heightened since of community because they are all working towards the same common goal of preserving their neighborhood.

There are some disadvantages to living in a HPOZ area. Property owners are subject to a review process from the Council where they may need to make a presentation to their board about their property. All projects in their home need to be approved by the board. Many projects are either rejected by the board or take up to 75 days to be granted approval.  HPOZ areas are best suited for communities that have a specific historic character and wish to work together in order to maintain their historical features.

Angelino Heights was the first HPOZ area granted in Los Angeles. It is a hilltop community found between Silver Lake and Echo Park. Angelino Heights is stock full of Victorian style architecture, which was widely popular in the late 19th century.

Lincoln Heights was one of Los Angeles’ first suburbs. It is located east of downtown Los Angeles adjacent to Montecito Heights, another older neighborhood. Lincoln Heights has a wide variety of historic architecture ranging from the Victorian era, to the Arts and Crafts movement, and the Period Revival styles. Many families in Lincoln Heights are middle-class families that work hard to keep their homes intact. Homes in Montecito Heights and Lincoln Heights have enjoyed a spike in real estate values in recent years.

Highland Park-Garvanza is also located northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the Arroyo Seco. This is a scenic community that contains around 4,000 historical structures. The popular architecture found in this area is from the 1880s-1940s and is Craftsman, Mission Revival, Tudor Revival, and the Arts and Crafts movement. The residents of these communities work with their own specific HPOZ board to keep their areas historically accurate. Homes in Highland Park, CA have also seen their property values increase dramatically as the neighborhood has become gentrified and new residents have funneled money into restoring these old classic homes.

Victorian Homes of Northeast Los Angeles

The beautiful and unique style of Victorian homes can be seen throughout many communities in northeast Los Angeles. Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, and Angelino Heights contain the highest amount of Victorian style homes. These areas of Los Angeles are typically low to middle class neighborhoods that have become greatly desired by younger generations. Many young people are moving into these areas and restoring their Victorian homes back to their original style and grandeur.

These communities in Northeast Los Angeles, filled with Victorian homes and other character houses, have benefited from the last several real estate booms. People are drawn to these neighborhoods and communities with the explicit goal of acquiring and owning an old, possibly historic home.

Particularly in Highland Park, where home values have skyrocketed and gentrification has taken hold, these homes in Highland Park never last long when they are put on the market. Highland Park realtors have been busier than ever.

Victorian homes were first built during 1860-1910 in northeast Los Angeles. It was introduced into Los Angeles by books with patterns and skilled builders who traveled from the eastern United States. There are several types of Victorian homes. The most common styles found in northeast Los Angeles include the Queen Anne, Folk Victorian, Italianate, and East lake.

Victorian homes are characterized by their unique, royal appearances. Their looks are based off the classic “baroque” style of building, which came from England. They are generally two to three stories tall. The paint jobs and porches of Victorian homes give them their unique style. Victorian porches are generally packed with decorative detail with an airy presence. The railings and steps of these porches will often be carved a unique way, or will have beautiful drawings meticulously painted on.  The use of paint can really make a Victorian house stand out. Victorians never have any less than three colors. Most Victorian homes have four or five colors. Typically the house is one base color and the trim, door, roof, and window casements will vary between the other colors. If the body color is lighter, then the remaining colors will be darker to offset the light.

Victorian homes were one of the original styles of homes that were developed in Los Angeles. Over time the Victorian homes began to loose their original appeal by people who were remodeling them to become “modern”. However, there are many organizations that will help people and pay homeowners to restore their classic homes appropriately. Companies like the Department of Building and Safety want these homes to be restored properly to ensure that the residents are safe and that the houses remain livable for many years to come.

Communities Along the Arroyo Seco and the Arroyo Seco Parkway

The City of Los Angeles has many smaller neighborhoods and communities that align the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway. The Arroyo Seco Parkway is also known as the 110 Freeway. This was the first freeway in the western United States and it connects Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles. It is named the “Arroyo Seco Parkway” because it runs along side the Arroyo Seco River. The Arroyo Seco Parkway is lined with large, beautiful sycamore trees that are typically found only near water. Residents that live in these communities are able to easily utilize the Parkway to travel to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, where so many jobs are located.

Elysian Park is a small community located in the Elysian Valley. The Elysian Park community is situated in the northeast corner of Elysian Valley. This neighborhood is only 1.5 square miles and has 2500 residents. This is only 1500 people per square mile, which makes Elysian Park one of the least densely populated areas in Los Angeles. The population is split almost equally between Latinos and Asians with an average yearly income of 28,000, which is low for Los Angeles. Elysian Park is located in the Chavez Ravine along with Dodger Stadium.

Lincoln Heights is an older community found just east of Downtown Los Angeles. Lincoln Heights has about 2.5 square miles and 27,000 residents, which equals 10,700 people per square mile. Lincoln Heights is the home to many great landmarks. Lincoln Heights is the home to an Alligator Farm and Ostrich Farm, which attracts plenty of tourists. The Selig Polyscope Company is an American motion picture company and Southern California’s first major motion picture company.

The hillside community of Mount Washington is located in the San Rafael Hills just off of the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Mount Washington consists of 13000 residents in a 1.85 square mile radius providing about 7000 people per square mile. Mount Washington is home to the Southwest Museum of the American Indian. This museum triples as an archive and library, which displays art and artifacts of Western American, Spanish Colonial and Latino culture. As of 2014, Mount Washington real estate is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Highland Park is one the original communities in Los Angeles. Highland Park is a large community that consists of almost 60,000 residents in its 3.42 square mile neighborhood. Highland Park has a high population of Latinos followed by Asians and whites. The average household has a yearly income of 45,000 dollars, which is average for Los Angeles. Highland Park homes are a hot commodity in the real estate market as neighborhoods become gentrified.

South Pasadena is 3.42 square miles with a population of 26,000 people. It is located in the San Gabriel Valley just east of the Arroyo Seco River and Parkway. South Pasadena is beautifully lined with redwood, sequoia and walnut trees that add a pleasant, homey vibe to the neighborhoods. The business district is full of “mom and pop” cafes and restaurants, which give a unique experience to the residents and tourists of South Pasadena. Many residents of South Pasadena enjoy hiking and picnicking near the Arroyo Seco River.

Pasadena is a large city in eastern Los Angeles that has a population of 137,000 people making it one of the most highly populated cities in the United States. Pasadena has about 6000 people per square mile and the people are predominantly white. Pasadena is full of big landmarks like the Rose Bowl and the Norton Simon Museum. Residents of Pasadena are able to jump on the Arroyo Seco freeway and arrive in Downtown Los Angeles.

Communities Along the Arroyo Seco and the Arroyo Seco Parkway

The City of Los Angeles has many smaller neighborhoods and communities that align the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway. The Arroyo Seco Parkway is also known as the 110 Freeway. This was the first freeway in the western United States and it connects Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles. It is named the “Arroyo Seco Parkway” because it runs along side the Arroyo Seco River. The Arroyo Seco Parkway is lined with large, beautiful sycamore trees that are typically found only near water. Residents that live in these communities are able to easily utilize the Parkway to travel to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, where so many jobs are located.

Elysian Park is a small community located in the Elysian Valley. The Elysian Park community is situated in the northeast corner of Elysian Valley. This neighborhood is only 1.5 square miles and has 2500 residents. This is only 1500 people per square mile, which makes Elysian Park one of the least densely populated areas in Los Angeles. The population is split almost equally between Latinos and Asians with an average yearly income of 28,000, which is low for Los Angeles. Elysian Park is located in the Chavez Ravine along with Dodger Stadium.

Lincoln Heights is an older community found just east of Downtown Los Angeles. Lincoln Heights has about 2.5 square miles and 27,000 residents, which equals 10,700 people per square mile. Lincoln Heights is the home to many great landmarks. Lincoln Heights is the home to an Alligator Farm and Ostrich Farm, which attracts plenty of tourists. The Selig Polyscope Company is an American motion picture company and Southern California’s first major motion picture company.

The hillside community of Mount Washington is located in the San Rafael Hills just off of the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Mount Washington consists of 13000 residents in a 1.85 square mile radius providing about 7000 people per square mile. Mount Washington is home to the Southwest Museum of the American Indian. This museum triples as an archive and library, which displays art and artifacts of Western American, Spanish Colonial and Latino culture. As of 2014, Mount Washington real estate is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Highland Park is one the original communities in Los Angeles. Highland Park is a large community that consists of almost 60,000 residents in its 3.42 square mile neighborhood. Highland Park has a high population of Latinos followed by Asians and whites. The average household has a yearly income of 45,000 dollars, which is average for Los Angeles. Highland Park homes are a hot commodity in the real estate market as neighborhoods become gentrified.

South Pasadena is 3.42 square miles with a population of 26,000 people. It is located in the San Gabriel Valley just east of the Arroyo Seco River and Parkway. South Pasadena is beautifully lined with redwood, sequoia and walnut trees that add a pleasant, homey vibe to the neighborhoods. The business district is full of “mom and pop” cafes and restaurants, which give a unique experience to the residents and tourists of South Pasadena. Many residents of South Pasadena enjoy hiking and picnicking near the Arroyo Seco River.

Pasadena is a large city in eastern Los Angeles that has a population of 137,000 people making it one of the most highly populated cities in the United States. Pasadena has about 6000 people per square mile and the people are predominantly white. Pasadena is full of big landmarks like the Rose Bowl and the Norton Simon Museum. Residents of Pasadena are able to jump on the Arroyo Seco freeway and arrive in Downtown Los Angeles.