Tag Archives: fix it project

When you see a listing in the Beach Cities and there are only one or two pics, you can almost bet that the handwriting is on the wall.  These properties are doomed.  We went out on Brokers’ Open Caravan and I had my heart-broken—Twice.   Two properties that speak to the history of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach were on caravan today.  They both caught my eye  and my indomitable remodel spirit.  Alas, these two homes most likely have a date with the bulldozer, but I have to ask the question: Why?  Why is it aways that the land value will trump retaining a very cool existing home and a bit of beach history?  I actually know the answer of course, that little thing they teach you about land–“highest and best use”–but, still, sometimes it just saddens me that a slice of our local home history appears destined to go down.

I hope that I am wrong and that whoever buys these two homes will fall in love with their original character – remodel and enjoy.  But, just in case I am wrong, this post is a tribute to the little 1930s beach shack (think sandy, sunburned children and streetcars) and the 1960s Uber Cool view home (think Martinis and Dean Martin).

Casting away reality for a moment, my dream would be to remodel 2434 Manhattan Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA and 1160 Duncan Drive, Manhattan Beach, CA.

The two could not be more different.  Manhattan Avenue is a small beach cottage built in 1931!  It is only 1,173 sq ft on a 30 x 100 foot lot, but what a location. A short walk to the beach; I am quite sure that when it was built there was nothing around it but open sand dunes.  This is a house filled with summer vacation memories.  It is a classic – small rooms – small kitchen – a basement with changing rooms and beach showers.  It just doesn’t get any more beach cottage than this.  What would you do to it?  Not much, the structure itself is so old, that one could easily overspend.  It could be fixed up – wisely – and enjoyed for many more years.  Eventually it will fall, but with some love, this 81-year-old beach beauty could easily make it to 100!

On the other end of the scale is 1160 Duncan Drive, Manhattan Beach.  You could not pick a more private location or a larger lot.  This is a 1963 build – 3,482 sq. ft. on a 18,393 sq ft lot.  This home was specifically built for, and indeed has,  one of the most spectacular east views I have ever seen in Manhattan Beach.  The entire east side of the upper level of this split level home are windows and there is nothing obstructing the panorama of the City of Los Angeles before you. Stunning!!  This would be such an amazing remodel.  Scrape the ceilings, open up the kitchen, install new period appropriate tile, grab that shag rug and hunt down every shop you can find for Danish Modern furniture and Voila! – you have the Coolest –Most Stunning City View–Private Retreat in Manhattan Beach.

Ah well, a girl can dream!