Los Angeles is known for its Hollywood glitz and glamour—stylish living set against a modern skyline complete with iconic mid-century homes, palm-lined streets and jetliner views. If, however, your personal tastes are drawn to historic homes and revivalist architecture, there is also a treasure trove of old-world classic homes in the city.
The appeal of Los Angeles’ historic homes, whether in an Italianate, Tudor, French Norman or Spanish Revival style, is more than aesthetics. These stylish residences offer a window into the city’s vibrant past and cinema-rich heritage. These classic homes narrate a unique story of the individuals who owned them, the architects who brought them to life and the dreams and desires of the world at the time they were built.
Classic mid-century modern pool designs in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. From kidney shaped freeform to bold and rectilinear, these graphic pools will make your backyard shine. Add a fire pit and the perfect mood lighting and you’ll be ready for your next summer soireé.
LOS ANGELES HISTORIC HOMES
Offering the perfect blend of fantasy and reality, revivalist architecture boomed in Los Angeles during the 1920s. Fueled by Hollywood and the burgeoning film industry, these styles transformed homes and neighborhoods throughout the city into nostalgic old-world visions from exotic locales. It was a time of progressive construction methods, wood framing, brick and stone veneers combined with creative inspiration coming from the film industry that allowed architects and developers to create beautiful renditions of charming European structures. The city also saw the rise of luxury apartment structures with Chateauesque rooflines and French Norman towers mirroring multi-storied Loire chateaux.
HISTORIC HOME LOVE: FINDING YOUR SOULMATE
1 Cerulean Blue Paint 2 Female Portrait 3 Vintage Murano Poliedri Ceiling Light 4 Pimpernel Wallpaper 5 Vintage Tessellated Mirror 6 Contemporary Copper Floor Lamp 7 Lumbar Accent Pillow 8 Leather Setee 9 Charles Dudouyt Sideboard 10 Gigi Radice Chairs 11 Harmful Flower Holder 12 Charles Dudouyt Side Table 13 Le Moderne Velvet Pouf 14 Vintage Persian Overdyed Rug
ARCHITECTURE - THE PERIOD REVIVAL REVOLUTION
Spanish Revival Architecture - Rustic Yet Refined
Spanish Colonial Revival architecture gained prominence in the early 20th century as one of Los Angeles’ most popular period revival styles. With Southern California’s Spanish colonial roots, this architectural style blends perfectly with Los Angeles’ historic homes, combining Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque design influences. With thick stucco walls, warm earth tones, red-tile roofs, wrought-iron details and arched doorways and windows, this period revival architectural style is one of Los Angeles’ most recognized and charming historic home styles.
This period revival estate is in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Hancock Park, notable for its historic residences. Built in 1925, it has Italian Renaissance and Mediterranean style influences; architectural symmetry, a barrel-style clay roof, a grand arched entrance, inlaid marble tiles, and a classic formal garden.
Italianate Period Revival Architecture – Sophisticated Style
The Italianate Period Revival style exudes a kind of timeless charm. Blending classical influences with Victorian exuberance, Italianate homes are characterized by low-itched rooflines, wide overhanging eaves and frequently are highlighted by cupolas or towers, tall narrow windows and elaborate moldings. These classic architectural elements combine to create a home that is inviting and filled with verve. On the interiors, the opulence continues with grand foyers, high ceilings and ornate plasterwork. Additionally, period revival Italianate houses may incorporate verandas with elegantly turned balusters, offering an inviting outdoor space that complements the historic home’s architecture.
English Tudor Revival Homes - Character-filled Coziness
There is no denying an English Tudor-style homes’ aesthetic drama and historical charm. Originating in England in the late 1400s, this revival style has been seen in many neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles. Timber-framed construction, steeply pitched rooflines and leaded or diamond-patterned glass windows are all details seen in a Tudor-style house. These houses have a rustic, storybook feel, like they have come to life out of the pages of a medieval fairy tale. With classic built-in bookcases, hand carved moldings and elaborate ceiling details, these Los Angeles historic homes display an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and old-world charm.
Stained glass windows that tell a story. These intricate designs in some of Los Angeles’ historic homes tell the tale of exotic sea-faring travel and ancient medieval dynasties.
French Normandy Style Houses
One of our favorite period revival architectural styles, the French Norman or Normandy home blends rustic elegance with historical European influences. These classic homes recall visions of grand medieval castles in the French countryside. The exteriors of the French Norman style home are generally constructed of stone, brick or stucco and occasionally decorative half-timbering. These aesthetically appealing residences are highlighted by silo-like towers with conical roofs. Their steeply pitched rooflines are clad in shingles or slate. On the interiors, these homes feature wooden beams and exposed trusses which add to their rustic elegance. This classic style remains a favorite choice for Los Angeles residents who appreciate the historical romance and distinctive features that define French Norman Revival architecture.
Each of these historic Los Angeles Period Revival home styles offers a unique set of details, old-world charm and classic character to celebrate history and culture while paying homage to a particular place and time.
The stairways in these Spanish Revival historic homes celebrate the craftsmanship of this period. Magnasite flooring was commonly used in these grand homes with custom tiles used as a focal point.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS FOR FINDING YOUR LOS ANGELES HISTORIC HOME
If you love classic homes, there are many neighborhoods in Los Angeles where you can find your perfect house. Many areas and even entire neighborhoods have been designated an HPOZ (historic preservation overlay zone). This protects the distinctive architecture, historical details and character of the neighborhood and/or structure. Additionally, there is historic real estate for sale throughout Los Angeles.
Hancock Park | Luxury estates and classic residences in various Period Revival styles, English Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Monterey and American Colonial Revival architectural styles can be seen here. This neighborhood has been home to many prominent individuals in Los Angeles society, including Howard Hughes, Mae West and Nat King Cole. Hancock Park became an HPOZ in 2008 and remains one of the city’s most coveted neighborhoods to find a historic home.
Carthay Circle | Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor, French, and American Colonial Revival styles. Each home in the neighborhood is unique, as it was individually designed by notable Los Angeles architects, including Paul Williams, Robert Byrd and Irving Gill. It was one of LA’s first planned communities which incorporated underground utilities. Carthay Circle was designated an HPOZ in 1998.
West Adams Terrace | This area in south Los Angeles was initially developed for businessmen and their families who wanted to move out of downtown while still being close enough to commute. There are expansive, lavish homes here as well as more modest Victorian-era cottages. Craftsman and Mission Revival bungalows and more prominent Period Revival architecture can be seen here. West Adams Terrace was designated an HPOZ in 2003.
An incredible Ernest A. Batchelder tile stairway in a classic Hollywood Hills English Tudor house. These whimsical art relief tiles were created for the Arts & Crafts period and found their way into many classic revival homes, from Craftsman to English Tudor and Storybook.
Whitley Heights | A historic enclave just east of the Hollywood Bowl, this picturesque neighborhood celebrates all there is to love about classic architecture and old-world charm. Many of the homes here are in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. This historic district has been home to many of Hollywood’s Gold Age elite. Rudolph Valentino, Tyrone Power, Gloria Swanson, Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich all called Whitley Heights home. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, LA’s City Council declared the neighborhood an HPOZ in 1992.
Spaulding Square | This historic neighborhood is located right off Sunset Boulevard, which was quite convenient for up-and-coming stars and others in the film industry to settle in. It was situated between the studios and celebrity homes of Beverly Hills. Classic craftsman bungalows with white picket fences look as fresh today as when they were first built. Spaulding Square became an HPOZ in 1993.
Angelino Heights | If you dream of living in a Victorian-style home, the historic neighborhood of Angelino Heights is your perfect choice. Perched on a hilltop between Los Angeles’ Chinatown and Echo Park, this charming community is home to some of the most coveted Queen Anne-Eastlake Victorians around. You will also find some California bungalows, Craftsman and Streamline Moderne homes here. Angelino Heights became LA’s first HPOZ in 1983.
Many additional examples of homes in the Period Revival style exist in the Beachwood Canyon neighborhood, known as Hollywoodland, under the iconic sign. The coveted lush verdant neighborhood of Los Feliz is filled with Period Revivalist-style homes and estates with expansive gardens and grounds. For luxury historic properties and noteworthy estates look no further than Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills or Bel Air.
Don’t forget to look up! The coffered ceilings in these Los Angeles historic homes add another dimension to the room. These hand-painted ceilings add the ultimate stylish touch to these classic old-world residences.
PRESERVING HISTORY: LOS ANGELES HISTORIC HOMES FOR SALE
Some of these historic homes qualify for the Mills Act Program, which fosters preservation of residential neighborhoods. This program can lead to a significant reduction in property tax. Additionally, the LA Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that works to maintain and preserve historic structures throughout the city in both the commercial and residential sectors.
If you are looking to buy or sell a unique historic home in Los Angeles, contact Beyond Shelter Real Estate Group. Our knowledgeable team specializes in helping buyers and sellers of classic mid-century modern, historic and architectural houses. We love connecting our clients with these soulful properties.
