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Business & Tech

Echo Park's Modern Homes

New architectural and contemporary construction dots Echo Park.

Known for its homes with historic character that scale with the surrounding hillsides, Echo Park’s architectural, modern and newly built residential structures are rare birds. But often buyers and renters seek out these homes and apartments that are new or new-ish because in addition to innovative design, they also come with such conveniences as central air and heat, insulated walls and energy efficient windows and appliances that many older properties lack.

Buying a contemporary home in Echo Park

New properties may appeal to buyers but pose difficulties when it comes to securing financing. “When you have a more newly constructed property, there are not a lot of comparables to point to,” explains Andrew Morrison, a broker associate with Sotheby’s International Realty in Los Feliz.

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He recently represented an architect-designed home on Duane Street (now in the process of closing) that features numerous custom finishes such as a galvalume steel roof, metal siding and reclaimed Douglas Fir floors. Contemporary, open and uniquely designed, “one of the challenges from a finance standpoint was to find anything that was relevant in comparison,” Morrison found.

Neighborhood reaction

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In Echo Park, the community can react critically to contemporary design. At the Echo 1030 Lofts on Alvarado just south of Sunset Blvd., leasing manager Leon Zoltzman has heard the 20-unit apartment building described as “too new” for the neighborhood. Certainly the glass and steel façade stands out on busy Alvarado where it's wedged between a car wash and 1920s-built bungalows. However, in addition to its urban look, the lofts utilized eco-conscious/green building materials and has been certified as a LEED platinum status building per the U.S. Green Building Council.

Windows are solar reflective and double-paned, which not only deadens the traffic noise but also adds to energy efficiency. There are solar panels on the roof and a high efficiency water heater—good news for tenants who pay electric costs in addition to rents that start at $1,495 for a studio apartment.  Designed as live/work spaces, tenants tend to be creative types and come from the arts and multi-media businesses, per Zoltzman.

Hillside building ordinance impacts local construction

While there are still numerous empty parcels located throughout Echo Park, the city’s recently revised hillside building ordinance has added another layer of regulations to new construction projects and limited the financial returns of developing vacant parcels. (Here’s the Facebook page that links to the new laws.)  The ordinance was created in part, as reaction to the building of out-of-scale mansions in upscale neighborhoods. The result is that it is often not cost effective to build a new home from foundation up, hence newer construction is often a remodel that adheres to a home’s existing footprint and foundation.

Despite the complexities of complying with the revised building regulations, residents can expect more urban infill projects and housing construction in Echo Park as the neighborhood continues to become more popular.

 

 

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