In the spirit of The Colbert Report's "Better Know a District" segment, what say we learn a few things about the South Carthay Historic Preservation Overlay Zone? The second neighborhood in Los Angeles to be awarded this designation (Angeleno Heights was the first), South Carthay was first developed in the early 1930s on the site of the former vegetable fields for Ralphs Markets. According to LA's Office of Historic Resources, "almost half of the single-family dwellings in South Carthay were designed and built by Greek developer Spyros George Ponty, who built homes throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Ponty and other contractors constructed homes in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The characteristic use of low-pitched red tile roofs, arched doors and windows, and smooth stucco exterior finishes provides visual continuity and cohesiveness to the neighborhood. South Carthay residences are exceptional for their quality construction, skilled craftsmanship, decorative detailing, and individuality — no two homes are exactly alike."
One of those one-of-a-kind residences (actually a converted duplex) has just hit the market for the first time in more than a decade. Built in 1934, the 3,056-square-foot house features five bedrooms, three baths, a gated courtyard, a step-down living room with wood-burning fireplace, crown moldings, peg-and-groove hardwood floors, step-tray ceilings, arched doorways, French windows, lovely vintage tile, original hardware, fixtures, and built-ins. Sited on a 6,508-square-foot lot on Crescent Heights a little south of Olympic, it's asking $1.499 million.
· 1077 S Crescent Heights Blvd [Official Site]
· 1077 S Crescent Heights [Redfin]