(Introducing Richele Silva, who is also auditioning for ATLA!)
Some people worship movie stars, I prefer a good architect myself.
In the early 1950’s architect Cliff May built a tract of homes in his Rancho Style, in our fair little city of Long Beach. I had a real estate agent tell me once that there in only one other like it in Palos Verdes. I’m not sure if that’s true, but according to the website ranchostyle.com he did design approximately 18,000 tract homes throughout the U.S and about 1000 custom homes as well. His forward thinking makes my heart flutter; High beam ceilings, L-Shaped layouts, lots and lots of windows.
As a teenager I had a couple of girlfriends who lived in this section of town and I remember thinking how odd they were overall, but that I liked them. Today I would sell blood if I thought it would get me closer to owning one. Sadly, I would be dead before they got enough out of me to cover the closing costs.
People are appreciating them more and more these days and like anything, the prices are reflecting that. A little birdy sent these photos to me. It will be on the market anytime now, and most likely will have a new owner before the sign goes up on the lawn. Sadly, it won’t be me.
Suspected listing price High 700’s - Low 800’s.
For more information on modern sales or drool factor
www.ranchostyle.com
www.socalmodern.com
- Richele
That's what I'm talkin 'bout, baby. More posts like this! This type of post-war tract home really defines California lifestyle for me--along with ranch homes and other flavors of post & beam architecture. Richele, I'm totally vibing with you here... My aunt and uncle have a great original (un-bastardized) Eichler in one of his tracts in San Mateo. Growing up, I remember really loving their house. Now, I'm ready to get into a throw down with my cousins for first dibs on the house should they ever decide to sell it!
Oooh oooh oooh -- the first house my parents bought, back when I was ages 4-7, was a cheap little knock-off of this kind of house. It had the beam ceilings, the array of huge windows around the back, and the open kitchen. (The L may have gone the other direction, toward the front.)
I was not at ALL thrilled when they sold it and bought a 1970s tract house.
I think this house, or one remarkably similar to it, was featured in an issue of Atomic Ranch last year. I really love all the concrete.
I think the current owners are the ones who had that backyard with the pool put in. This is a case of new owners actually improving the old imo.
Re: the backyard reno. That grid pattern with the concrete slab and river rock is a great look but a bit of a challenge when doing larger-scale entertaining. A friend recently hosted a shindig for 70+ people and debuted her new backyard with outdoor firepit. Since she lives on the top of a hill in Eagle Rock, she has an unobstructed panoramic city view. But everyone kept kicking up the rocks from the "channels" onto the concrete slab portions. And all the gals in the Sigurson Morrison's could talk about (jokingly) were the rocks and their heels. The hostess and I spent most of the evening discreetly sweeping the rocks back into the place with our feet.
such great insight (and pics). thanks, richele!
Ranch houses...I don't get it. Of all the houses I've ever wanted, a ranch house was never even near the list. So of course I now live in one (do to a lack of inventory when I was last looking for a home). And I hate hate hate it. I've never understood the appeal. Those open ceilings make fans necessary (fans are ugly and cumbersome, no matter how well-designed). The window walls make light control a chore, and faded furniture a foregone conclusion. Light bouncing off of a pool and through all those windows is quite unpleasant (I have the pool, too), and this house appears to have no window coverings! Ranch home construction is slipshod compared to homes from the Victorian era, the 1920's and the 1930's (all of which I've lived in). Maybe you have to live in one of these things to realize this (though I see Enrique has, and still likes them). I've been in architect-designed "treasure" ranch houses in the L.A. area..in Bel Air and elsewhere. It's the same no matter what the address. Out in California, Eichler houses (built as cheap, quick, post-war housing...slapped up, really) have become very popular with the MCM people. I rented one of those places back when they were unwanted and ignored. The house was either freezing or baking, and the layout was horrible. I just don't get it, never will. White roofs? Eeek. So Palm Springs/Ranch Mirage.
But then that whole Palm Springs, plasticland thing is not to my taste at all.
Want my house, any of you ranch addicts? I'd trade it in a heartbeat for anything pre-war, preferably 1920's.
That garden/pool deck remodel is fabulous, though. Can't fault that one bit. I'd love to see that paired with a Japanese-style home. The geometric up against the rough-surfaced and unpainted.
Slight tangent. The big-leafed plant in the foreground of the first photo... Do folks know what it is called?
I for one really like this house. Ranch style is just about all I can afford in the LB and HB area if I move soon, and I love the open feeling in these pics. What area of LB is this tract? Does anyone know the MLS or street name?
the tract of homes is located near El Dorado Park at Spring/Studebaker just off the 605 frwy. [couple exits from the 405/605 interchange]
Don't know the street name of this one as the place is a friend of a friend. I believe the zip is still 90808 over there.
Mnny Mota -- Looks like a type of Philodendron to me, though they usually don't want to be in full sun.
Yeah! Thanks Richele! We're considering a move to LB (from Irvine), due to commute times, and things had looked a little dismal. This makes me much happier!
High 700s Low 800s?! You can get an authentic Cliff May in the low 400s in Pomona. There's a tract of about 60 houses in the Westmont Park section of town.
Hello I own one of these lovely homes in the seattle area these readlly are the indoor outdoor home. The neighbors whole bought there homes back in 1950s still live in the area i am the second owner of this home and had no idea about the history of these homes still i spoke to my 85 year old mneighbors this is the best home i could ask for i bought for 190.000 in 2004 orginal owners had died. Lucy
well, I for one love our rancho! we live in the long beach tract. You couldn't put me into a mcmansion unless I were dead! Yes, we have some concessions but what house doesn't? At least we have a lot of light! Read about Cliff May's ideas and maybe you'll change your mind. Well at least I can take comfort in the fact that someone will buy those box shaped houses!!! I guess I'll never understand why you'd buy and LIVE in a house you don't like? Pat, please sell your house to someone who will appreciate the idea behind the home!