Tag Archives: architecture

Best in Show 1/19/12

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Today’s Deal of the Day!

Each Thursday I’ll feature the best deal I’ve found on our Broker’s Caravan for that week: based on value, location, and architectural appeal. Check back often and see if you agree. If I’m right, these won’t be around for long!
OK, so the asking price is a bit south of $2 million, but this property is still today’s deal of the day! It was far and away the best property on our weekly Broker’s Caravan.

Open, hip and light does not begin to describe the interior spaces in this home. Walls of glass slide away to create a seamless fusion of California living at its best.

The kitchen design showcases an angled island and was built with the highest quality cabinets and finishes.

Begin each and every day here, gazing out over the scenic grounds. Coffee anyone?

Even the master suite is light and open, with private views of the property.

The master bath features a custom stainless soaking tub and designer fixtures and finishes.

Entertain on a grand scale, or just spend the day lounging at your own private resort!

Bathed in a soft twilight glow. the San Gabriels create a beautiful backdrop to this drop-dead gorgeous property.

If you would like to see this home before it’s gone: email me or call me at 626.533.8001

Roland Wilhelm
senior partner
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california 91101
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com
626.533.8001

 

For more information and photos – 1910 Braeburn Road

Listing courtesy of Caughey & Luczyski – Deasy/Penner and Partners

Preservation pays…

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….but apparently, so does neglect!

Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed woman architect, may be best-known for her design of Hearst Castle in San Simeon, but she also designed the former YWCA building in Pasadena. The 1921 building has been on Pasadena heritage’s Most Endangered list for years, and the city acquired it through eminent domain in 2010.

Now the fun begins! The city made an offer of $6.4 million to the owner, based on their valuation of the property and planned to use money from their city redevelopment funds.

The owner,  businesswoman Angela Chen-Sabella of Trove Investments Corp, had unsuccessfully challenged the city’s eminent domain action, and has rejected the city’s paltry offer of $6,400,000.

I know, I know, it’s not fair for the city to come in and just take the property! After all, the present owner purchased it from the YWCA back in 1996, fair and square. It doesn’t matter that it’s been sitting in disrepair and neglect ever since. It doesn’t matter that it is on Pasadena Heritage’s most endangered list and is the city’s only example of Morgan’s work. And it doesn’t matter that it sits right in the heart of the city’s civic center, where the city has just spent a boatload of cash spiffing up the place.It’s just not fair, right?

So how much does the owner of the property want from the city? Almost twice the amount that they are offering; in the neighborhood of $12 million! And what did this owner pay for the property 15 years ago? Just over $1 million.

So, as a Realtor that sells Pasadena residential housing, let me put this into perspective…

Let’s say you bought a house in 1996 for $200,000. You’ve left the property vacant ever since and haven’t done a thing to it for 15 years.
Let’s say you paid $200,000 for it. The city offers you over $1,200,000 to take it off your hands, since you’re not taking care of it or using it.

Do you say “Thank You”? Nope. You want almost $2.5 million for all your efforts!

So, is this greed or just human nature? Would we do the same thing if presented with a similar opportunity?  In a city like Pasadena, with its strong sense of preservation and love of art and architecture, I guess even lack of preservation pays!

Source: Pasadena Star News

Roland Wilhelm
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california 91101
626.533.8001
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com

Permits…Please!

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Who needs a permit and why?

There are many problems we face in selling a home and then closing escrow once we have a signed contract. Many problems can’t be avoided; lending guidelines, low appraisals, a problematic location, to name a few. But one problem that homeowners can address is getting repairs, alterations and additions permitted at the time the work is done.

In the city of Pasadena, (and every city has its own regulations and guidelines), a permit is needed whenever a property owner plans to build, remodel or make repairs on a property. The permits fall into four major categories: Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical. There are also numerous permits needed for items such as tree removal, fences and walls, outdoor fireplaces, etc. For more information on obtaining a permit in the city of Pasadena, click here.

Why bother getting a permit in the first place? First of all, the city requires it. It is their way of making sure that any work done on a property within the city is done safely and meets current building codes. Cites like Pasadena have an inspection at the time of sale, and any alterations done to the property without a permit will require inspection by a city official and possible alterations or even removal if the alterations don’t meet current building codes.

This brings me to the BIGGEST why of all. If any length of time passes between when the work was done and when the city actually inspects the work, there is a great possibility that the building codes may have changed. What does this mean to you as the homeowner? If the work that you had done and paid for years ago does not meet present building standards, (which change all the time), you could be required to redo the work, or even remove an addition that no longer meets codes.

I have sold many  properties that had a structure right on the property line, had low ceilings, expansive walls of glass, and many other building issues that were once allowed, but no longer meet building codes. When my clients had the good sense to obtain permits, these issues are exactly that, “permitted”. The city will not require any changes or modifications. If there are no permits on record, the city WILL have their way with you!

So please, if you are planning any work, repairs or remodeling, check with your local building and permit department!

For more information:
email me or call me at 626.533.8001

Roland Wilhelm
senior partner
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california 91101
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com
626.533.8001

MID-CENTURY MAH-VEL-OUS!

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Architectural Post and Beam in Kinneloa Canyon


This 1957 architect designed home sits on over a half-acre of privacy in Pasadena’s Kinneloa Canyon.


Walls of glass flood the interior with light and unite the interior and exterior spaces.


Just change out that carpet and this room would be fabulous!


The kitchen has a great balance of authenticity and modernism. A great room for cooking and entertaining.

If you would like to see this home before it’s gone,
email me or call me at 626.533.8001

Roland Wilhelm
senior partner
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california  91101
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com
626.533.8001

 

For Pricing, photos and information, visit 1875 Kinneloa Canyon

Listing courtesy of Linda Zinn, Sotheby’s International Realty

EDGECLIFFE TERRACE HOMES

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4 New Residences in Silver Lake

Four new, modern residences on a quiet, tree lined street just one-half block from Sunset Boulevard. Three bedrooms and two and one-half baths with attached side-by-side two car garages. 1372 and 1374.5 have private yards, while with 1372.5 and 1374 you can “lock and leave” without worrying about upkeep. Approximately 1,600 square feet each plus spacious garages and roof decks, each home is structurally independent with no shared walls, systems, or parking. There is no homeowners association and there are no hoa fees. The private driveway and entry are for the exclusive use of you and your neighbors.
Designed and built by the architect owner with custom built-in closets and cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, five-fixture master bathrooms, expansive rooftop decks, and panoramic views of the silver lake hills, Griffith observatory, and Hollywood sign. Sustainably built with energy efficient envelopes, passive solar orientation and thermal chimneys, energy star appliances, tankless water heaters, dual zone hvac, solar electric systems, pre-wiring for electric car charging, and low- and no-voc finishes.

If you would like to see one of these new homes before thery’re gone,
email me or call me at 626.533.8001

Roland Wilhelm
senior partner
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california 91101
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com
626.533.8001

Uno

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Welcome to Hey Roland! 

As you may have guessed, I’m Roland. For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege to live and sell real estate in Pasadena, California (yes there are at least two other Pasadena’s in the country).

Located just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena is located in the San Gabriel Valley and features a wealth of culture, art and architecture.

My company is deasy/penner&partners and our mission is simple:
to celebrate the notion of Home As Art.

Southern California has long been a leader in cutting-edge residential design. Over the past 35+ years, our team has been the dominant player in this architectural movement, having represented some of the region’s most significant ARCHITECTURAL properties by the likes of: Irving Gill, Richard Neutra, Marston & Van Pelt, Rudolph Schindler, John Lautner, Craig Elwood, Ray Kappe, Raphael Soriano, Buff & Hensman, Gregory Ain and Donald Wexler.

In addition, we are honored to represent and help clients source a multitude of different style homes and condominiums. By no means does a house need to be designed by a famous architect to be “Home as art.” More important than “identity,” is the HUMAN CONNECTION that is made between home and ownership. It is the feeling you get when you first walk into a home, where you hang a favorite painting, or spend quiet time that is most special. The common denominator in every instance is that deasy/penner&partners unites design and style with buyers and sellers.

So welcome! We hope you bookmark our site and visit Hey Roland! often. Our goal is to provide fresh and interesting content focusing on local architecture, art and culture in Pasadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley.

Thanks for stopping by!
If I can be of help with buying or selling a home, email me or call me at 626.533.8001

Roland Wilhelm
senior partner
deasy/penner&partners
200 south los robles avenue
pasadena, california 91101
rwilhelm@deasypenner.com
626.533.8001