Author Archives: Steve

Then & Now – 4447 Cromwell Avenue

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Steve

Thanks to the ever-fabulous Curbed L.A., I was tipped off tonight that one of my favorite Wallace Neff houses, the A.L. Schoenborn Residence (1924) in Los Feliz has just come on the market for $2,750,000. This is a relatively early Neff … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Feliz, Paradise For Sale or Lease, Then & Now | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

High Above Apple Valley – New Vintage Images of the Apple Valley Inn and Newt’s Hilltop House

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Steve

For those of you following the blog you know there have been big doings as of late regarding the fate of the once spectacular but now ruined Hilltop House sited 300 feet above the once famous but now shuttered Apple … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Valley, Paradise For Sale or Lease | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

After 68 – Remembering the Unforgettable Ambassador in a New Documentary

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Steve

I have risen momentarily from my blog-writing slumber to let everyone know about a wonderful new documentary project by producer/director Camilo Silva called After 68 that’s currently in the works on what is perhaps the single greatest loss of history to ever befall … Continue reading →

Posted in General Announcements, Lost Hollywood, Mid City | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Aloha on Rimpau – A Hawaiian Hero in Hancock Park

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Steve

He is still the most famous of all Hawaiians, a superb athlete revered today as the “Father of Modern Surfing.” Yet Duke P. Kahanamoku’s legacy goes well beyond Olympic Gold medals and the host of other honors heaped upon him … Continue reading →

Posted in Hancock Park, Interesting People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Save the Date – May 13, 2013 for Aaroe Architectural #22 John Parkinson Presentation!

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Steve

This Monday, May 13th you are cordially invited to attend the latest presentation of the Aaroe Architectural Education Series. This one is going to really be great too. Stephen Gee, author of the brand new John Parkinson, Architect of Los … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, General Announcements | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

One Smart Girl – Deanna Durbin (1921-2013)

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Steve

Bar none, the best summer job I ever had was as a tour guide at Universal Studios. It was such a thrill running around that famed and historic lot where so many legendary talents had worked. To walk in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brentwood, Interesting People, Lost Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Garbo Rocks – A Great Blog!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Steve

My friend Allison is an amazing lady on about 1,000 different levels. Not long ago did something so unbelievably cool and so unbelievably unexpected it makes my head hurt – she went to an auction and came back the owner … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Favorites | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Happy Trails for the Hilltop House Ruins?

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Steve

For those of you who have been following the saga  of Apple Valley’s once beautiful but now ruined Hilltop House here at Paradise Leased, which has recently come up for sale, I have an interesting update to share. My friend … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Valley, Paradise Elsewhere, Paradise For Sale or Lease | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Before the Birdhouse – Some Early Mellenthin Homes

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Steve

If you know anything about San Fernando Valley real estate then you know the name William Mellenthin (1896-1979) is a magic one. One of the Valley’s pioneer developers, Mellenthin was responsible for constructing literally hundreds of homes throughout Valley (and elsewhere) … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, San Fernando Valley, Studio City, Then & Now, Valley Village | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

You’re Invited to Enjoy “The View From Santa Monica” Esther McCoy Lecture This Saturday!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Steve

If you love Southern California’s historic modernistic architecture and you have not yet “met” Esther McCoy then you will be in for a treat. From 1950 up until her death in 1989, McCoy wrote and lectured extensively and brilliantly on … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, General Announcements, Santa Monica | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment