Los Angeles-based firm Omgivning has announced a new initiative to relocate historic homes across Altadena, supporting families impacted by the recent Eaton Canyon and Palisades wildfires. Titled the Historic House Relocation Project, the effort aims to offer a faster, more affordable, and more sustainable alternative to conventional rebuilding methods.
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
The project brings together a coalition of preservationists, engineers, and civic organizations, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, Santa Monica Conservancy, and Council District 13. The initiative’s three core missions are to assist displaced families, preserve valuable architectural heritage, and divert structurally sound houses from landfill.
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
The first home to be moved under the program is a 1911 Craftsman-style house located at 1853 Taft Avenue in Hollywood. Formerly slated for demolition to make way for an affordable housing development, the 2,400-square-foot structure will now be relocated to 55 Mountain View Street in Altadena, the site of a previous home lost in the fires. The relocation involves cutting the home into five sections and navigating a carefully planned 26-mile route across the city to avoid bridges, underpasses, railroad tracks, freeways, powerlines, and other obstacles.
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Taft Avenue house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
A second house, a 1910 Craftsman-style residence currently at 2919 Saint George Street in Los Feliz, will follow. The 3,600-square-foot home has a unique history, having previously been moved in 1948 by its former owner to escape demolition for the 101 Freeway. The house will soon be relocated to 1008 E. Poppyfields Drive in Altadena.
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
The team estimates that the cost of relocation is approximately half that of a standard rebuild. Approximately 80 homes have been identified for potential relocation under the scheme, with 50 families on the waiting list to receive a home.
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
“Relocating houses used to be much more common in Los Angeles, but it’s rarely done nowadays,” said Morgan Sykes Jaybush, Creative Director at Omgivning. “It’s the most sustainable way to rebuild, by not throwing an entire house into the landfill. It’s also a great way to bring some historic character back to these neighborhoods which have suffered so much loss. And in addition to being a quicker solution, it’s a more affordable option; we estimate that these moves are half to two thirds of the cost of a new build.”
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
Saint George Street house. Image credit: Gary Leonard, courtesy of Omgivning
“I’m hoping we can find a way to continue this effort beyond these first few houses, saving more houses from the wrecking ball and helping more people find a different – and potentially quicker and less expensive – way to rebuild,” Jaybush added.