This is kind of Unbelievable....! Some time ago, not quite two years I believe, I was walking up my hill, and noticed that a particular hilly parcel of land looked like something was going to be happening there....I had my camera with me and I took a few pictures....Here below, is another view...You can see how HUGE this house is when you see how small my buddy Glenn looks......
AMAZING! And below, here is what it looked like, almost two years ago...And, you can see why I thought something was going to be happening here....
I saw those sand packs and that rather flimsy metal fence......and thought to myself....'Oh My! What is going to be happening here?'...Right! A lot was going to be happening here.....The next time I came by this way.....I saw this!
No....not a lot different, but then....it was only a month later.....From another view, a bit later....I saw men building the retaining wall at the back of the property...
This is the Upper Retaining wall just beginning...It almost appears as if it is going to be holding up the hill behind it. Let's get closer.
Well, this is a little bit before...But the point is....They were working their As**s Off......And there is another picture..A closer picture of these fantastic workers, building this back retaining wall....It was a very very cold day, for Los Angeles.....
I really felt for these guys...As I said....It Was Very Cold, for Los Angeles, mostly because of the wind-chill factor! So, okay. This upper retaining wall, it turns out, is behind the 6000 square foot house which will be built, as time goes by....
It grows and grows..slowly...s-l-o-w-l-y....but surely....
This was August, 2006. And they worked on this back retaining wall another couple of months. At this point, we have not seen the 'hope' of a house yet...But then, many months go by, and we see this.....!
Seeing this finally gave me some kind of hope, that an actual house was actually being built here...Incredible....Truly, incredible. This is months and months later.....And then....And Then.......Here is where it was at, on November 19th, 2007.
And another view below, of this immense house....This view, a close up of the part of the house that faces the city...A two story view of the windows......Two stories of windows will give the owner's a gorgeous view of the city....Amazing, indeed!
All the other pictures are on an angle where the view from this house faces 'west-south west'...this picture is the view from this house that faces South, only......!
A far away shot of those two story windows.....Here is what is Soooo Sooooo Sooooooo amazing about this "Custom Built" house...It is being built "on spec".....ON SPEC, mind you! Hello? My neighbor, who lives across the street from this horrific two + years of building and who has been driven kind of crazy from the whole thing, told me that bit of information. This is progress?
I do not think so......
I like the way this looks, so very much better.....And the Deer, and the Coyote's, and the Raccoons, and the Skunks, and all the other dear creatures of nature, liked it this way too! I will continue to chronicle the progress of this new house as time goes by.....
More To Come.............
- had this to say:
I often wonder how do they get a permission to build such huge monsters in a residential area in the first place... We have a similar case in our neighborhood only I lucked out and haven't had the permanent noise of the machine working its way through rocks to make it a flat surface...The wind often goes the other direction and I don't hear anything but the surrounding neighbors are going mad with this noise going on all day long for months now...
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 6:57:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Yeah, I like the "before" picture better too.
People call it progress...- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 7:03:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Good Morn, Old Lady, does it not make you think, about just were will the anamials go when their homes have been invaded by humans. And there is no were else for them to go, soon they will most likely become a problem for the humans that will live in that house, and most likely something will need to happen to make sure that the humans are safe.It is really kind of sad. I live in a rural area of nys, and common to my neighbor hood are lots of large deer, turkeys, fox, owls, pheasents. There are also cyotes, have heard them but have never seen them my self. As well as protected "state land" of I think 300 acres less than 2 miles from my house. But land around me at one time was all farm land, and was worked. There are two working dairy farms left, and my husband and another man grow veg. and flowers, a lot of houses are popping up in the middle of fields, where there should be corn, or rye. Progress hey. It is very dreary here today, rainy snow for thursday so they say. Pat
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 7:30:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Wow! Land in your area must be scarce! That hill is so steep. I would never have thought a house can be built there. I wonder how the driveway would be like.
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 10:19:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
That house is going to be HUGE--and if the builder can't sell it... the debt will be huge too. That's too much risk for me. And like Mar said up above, it just looks out of place there.
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 10:43:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Unbelievable! It looks more like an apartment building than a house.
I'd worry about it all sliding down the hillside - retaining wall or no retaining wall - at the first "unusual" rainstorm.- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 12:37:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
OMG! Are you sure it's not a hotel???? That's some kinda house!
Do I gather that the housing market in L.A. has not crashed and burned the way it has in many big cities? If I were going to buy such an expensive house, I would want to be able to have it MY WAY. I should have written, if I could AFFORD such a house.- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 12:39:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I think you said 6000 sq. feet??!!
WOWzer YOWzer!!
Those huge windows will certainly make for incredible views.
It will be good when they FINALLY get that monstrosity finished and give the surrounding neighbors some piece and quiet. We have some building going on down the street and every morning at 7 a.m., the hammering and other noises start.
It's our alarm clock.
I feel sorry for our neighbors whose house is right next to the house that is being built. The noise factor is atrocious.- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 1:42:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I remember when you first talked about that. TWO YEARS! OMG!
It's too big, from what I've seen of your neighborhood, and I can imagine if you have one of those torrential rain bouts like you do sometimes, if it won't slide down the hill!- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 2:33:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
It's taken so long because perhaps it doesn't want to be built. I agree with you, the greenery is so much prettier to look at, although I enjoyed your pictures of the house in "progress."
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 4:22:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
On Spec? I thought you were kidding. I know there are many houses in the US larger than 6,000 sq. feet, but that one looks like a school to me! I cannot imagine what they will have to sell it for, considering all the underpinnings!
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 4:25:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That house looks like it is going to be HUGE!! A huge mansion in fact. And look at where it is being built? My goodness. But I bet you're right by saying about the fabulous views they will get. My goodness.
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 8:00:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That "house" could help a lot of needy people :(
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 8:16:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I agree, the building looks more like an apt. bldg., or a hotel was my first reaction. I'd sure be concerned about slides if we ever get much rain or a shaker.
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 1:32:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Building something like that creates havoc with the environment. I suppose we should hills as they are.
Michele sent me here to look it over and think.
PS: Blogger has gone deaf now!
rooted
reading room- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 3:04:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I could never live in earthquake country in a house like that! And I wouldn't want to live "across the street" from that home when one happens! (or even a mudslide?)
I hope it looks nicer when it's done... it looks like an eyesore at the moment!
Looks like the builder need a big write off on his taxes to do something so big, so slow, during a time when homes are hard to sell. (of course, maybe that doesn't ring true for the sort of folks that could afford a place like that to begin with)
since nothing can be changed about it being built, I guess you just hope you get a nice neighbor when someone buys it!- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 4:38:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Good morning, Naomi!
Sure, I remember well these photos you took two years ago. What a huge mansion! I am amazed! What a gorgeous view with these two stories windows! You did a good reportage of your neighborhood here! Well done, Naomi!
Many hugs. Give a kiss to Sweetie!
I would love to see a new photo of lovely Sweetie!- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 4:59:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
A house like that is not progress, but it is only reasonable that the owners of the property wish to build there.
Once the plot upon which your lovely home sits was vacant, and someone came in and built a house that was just right for you. If it had never been built, think of all the joy and beauty you would have missed, and all the glorious birds and bees, flowers and cacti we would have never known thru you.
You're a part of the mid-century art world, so a compact home fills your needs and aesthetic sensibiliity. But, the buyers of the big house may need or want more room. A truly good neighborhood has quality houses (and people) of all sizes-and shapes-large and small.
Your neighborhood has always been like that--which is why it has attracted some of the most illustrious and inspired residents (like you!)of Southern California,.
What we must hope is that the owners respect the animals, the land and their neighbors. The house will look better without the scaffolding, and could be made to blend into the hillside with appropriate landscaping, perhaps an ivy cover which would shelter a grand community of small creatures who pollinate and scavenge and make the environment work.
Make your new neighbors welcome, and gently guide their choices so that they "go green" whenever possible.- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 6:42:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Absolutely fascinating Naomi! I feel for your neighbour. We have a house opposite to us which changes hands frequently and then gets 'done over' with all the accompanying noise and irritation. I think some houses are fated like that and no-one ever seems to settle there. Great record!
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 8:20:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
I remember when you first put something up about this...we knew it had to be something monstrous coming, but my goodness. Someone is doing well in Hollywood huh?
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 8:36:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
i wonder if it'll be vulnerable to mud slides or earthquakes being on such a steep slope. Hopefully it's well anchored. Portland has some slopes like that with homes on them and every so often down they come and that's not even with the big quake still predicted for the Pacific NW.
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 11:59:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi,
The view was better before the spec builders bought it and began developing...
The view will be fantastic.
Living near it and putting up with the dust and noise and cars parked on the side of the road from all the construction workers and the heavy machinery driving back and forth like concrete trucks, etc. is a pain in the butt for the neighbors.
Hopefully the buildres really did the proper homework and din't cut corners and the foundation/pilons (sp?), grading, compacting, etc. is all done so that there will be no erosion or sliding during a bad rain/the earthquakes, etc...
6,000 feet isn't THAT much of a monstrosity. It looked like 20,000 in the pictures ! Hopefully, it was built with quality and taste, not just a 6 or 7 bedroom box.
And I hope whoever buys it eventually (for what, $6 million+ in the Hollywood hills ?) doesn't have large/loud parties there for your sake.- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 2:55:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Wow, I would love to see the inside when it is done. My living space is only 700 square feet. I'm guessing the closet space will be at least that much. I don't necessarily need more space, just more walls to hang art work!
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 3:08:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
They should have left it for the critters, I say.
Although the view will probably be awesome, I'm afraid I'd have to pass on that house. I have a terrible fear of heights and would feel like I'd topple down off that hill any moment!
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 3:53:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
They should have made a roadway in the shape of a slide so when the rains get too heavy, it will safely slide off the hill, between the other houses and down without damaging anything. ;-)
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:06:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Laughing at the roadway in the shape of a slide comment. I wonder how many people will live there. Planning for a lot of visitors??? Maybe they have a large collection of something-or-other that needs a lot of storage space.
Michele sent me.- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:52:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
It will be interesting to see the finished product - how they landscape it, etc.
As someone above mentioned, we all live 'someplace' that used to be wilderness (or in my case, orange groves!)
I hope that the owners are kind to the environment and make it look as though it belongs.
The view from those windows has to be spectacular!- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 7:48:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I remember the wall,I agree the before picture is much nicer. I would be too scared of sliding away if I lived there. I prefer the flatland :D
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 9:01:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
I was anyway going to visit you to answer your question. But Michele sent me before I did.
Blogger has not yet set itself right. It has not brought back the other option. That means who use other blogging platform are desisting from commenting on blogger blogs.
I have lost many friends that way. I already imported my articles and posts to WordPress. If the situation persists, I will move to that. It is like wait and watch policy now!
rooted
reading room- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 2:39:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Ugh!!!! What a monstrosity. A McMansion if I ever saw one. And like others have said, seems like a disaster in the making in earthquake/mudslide territory.
I live in an area filled with humongous homes. What puzzles me is the fact that families have gotten SMALLER. These people don't have six kids. They are mostly likely a young couple or a family with one or two children. Who the hell needs that much room?
I have friends with two children who live in a 12,000 sq. ft. house and honestly, they spend most of their time in the (giant) kitchen or downstairs in the bowling-alley sized "family room".
Heck, I barely use all of my 1200 sq. ft. condo.
OK, off my soap box now. I'm thrilled that you've documented this... it's a lot of fun to see the "progress".
Michele sent me here, but she didn't have to. ;)- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 5:03:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi I am back because I wanted to practice my Blogger set up and see if it links to my page correctly...I didn't figure you'd mind. I had to pick a friend for testing!
Hope you are having a good Friday...but it is still too early there isn't it?- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 7:11:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I remember you posting about this a while ago. It does seem a shame that this house has taken the place of the natural landscape that was there. I am sure the new owners will love the view from their two storey window but one can't help but wonder how much of that view will be natural and how much will be man made.
I guess it is to be expected when land can worth so much whne it is built on. That is what alway amazes me about Central Park - that it was never built on, not even part of it. I like that it was preserved.- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 7:59:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Whoever is building it has some serious $$. Looks at the size of it!
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 9:35:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi, you post the best photos! Michele sent me today, but you know I lurk on my own. Happy holidays!
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 2:04:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Wow I remember those first pics u posted , has it been 2 yrs?? What an eye sore! Also way to big for a person's own good, sheesh, are u sure its not an apartment complex?...I have to ask, and I'm probably the only one who doesn't know this lol but what does On Spec mean? is is on speculation of selling to an unknown buyer? Building investment with the hopes to sell? Or am I totally off the mark?
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 3:38:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Obviously this house is fascinating to some and repugnant to others, but I seriously doubt that architects Frank Lloyd Wright or Eliel Saarinen would find it charming.
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 5:20:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Alas,the neighbors often had similar (or more forceful) comments about the works of Wright and Saarinen while they were under construction! (lol) beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 8:32:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
that place is enormous! how stable can it be on that hillside!?!
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 10:05:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Oh my goodness! The neighborhood IS changing! But ... is it a HOUSE? Or a hotel??? It's huuuuuuge!
- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:39:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I remember when they started this and wondered about the progress, so I'm glad you gave us a report!! Quite amazing that they can build homes just about anywhere it seems!! The retaining walls alone must have cost a fortune! It will have an awesome view though! With 6000 sq. feet, I just cannot imagine. I think I'd get lost in there!!
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:34:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Wow. It's definitely going to have a view!
But it won't be of Ben Affleck's house like yours was. (wink)
~S- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:34:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Seeing monsters like this always makes me think how everybody would have a home if only we weren't so greedy.
I, too, hope it doesn't get loosened by a big rain or e.q.- Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 2:06:00 PM PST
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