The Garcetti / Wakeland Residence
By Daniel L. Dworsky, AIA
Additional Expansion/Renovations by Architect Elissa Scarfano
2120 Avon St
Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA 90026
3 Bed + 1.75 Bath / 2000 sq. ft.
Currently Listing Price: $1,650,000
For more info, contact Ed Faktorovich – 323.270.9303 / Ed@figure8re.com
Mayor Garcetti’s environmentally conscious oasis in Echo Park is on the market and…good news! It’s even better than we’d hoped! Centrally located in the Elysian Heights area of Echo Park hills, the home is an eco-friendly mix of old and new styles that can only be described as “so-LA”.
Originally built in 1950 by Architect Daniel L. Dworsky, this mid-century modern post-and-beam was originally envisioned to embody the carefree style and elegance of LA’s elite during the high point of studio-era glamour.
However, when then-councilman Eric Garcetti and his wife Amy bought 2120 Avon Street in 2000 they re-imagined the space for the 21st century.
Employing architect Elissa Scarfano to help realize their vision, they got to work on strategic renovations. First, they added larger windows to build on the home’s modernist characteristics, then they set to work on environmentally-friendly updates: expanding and renovating the home with sustainable and recyclable materials, adding Solar panels, and implementing drought-resistant landscaping and a tiered vegetable garden.
Together these updates achieved the near impossible: simultaneously adding to the square footage of the house while also lowering its carbon footprint and energy costs…So LA.
The resulting structure is at once both modern and post-modern; connecting the past to the present in a way that represents what is best about Los Angeles in the 21st Century. Balancing a sophisticated flare for design with an earnest social consciousness, The Garcetti/Wakeland residence has transformed itself into a structure that is as graceful as it is mindful. It leads by example, creating a working paradigm of how to modernize in a way that pays homage to the past while still functioning practically, and beautifully, into the future.
But enough talk…
The House is sited on a rolling hill among rolling hills. The front of the home’s wall of windows makes the most of it’s vantage point that looks out on the beauty of the echo park neighborhood below.
The 1950’s/ 60’s style of the home’s original construction is still alive and well in it’s interior. But the use of industrial materials and deconstruction of the exposed beams adds a modern edge that’s both practical and aesthetic.
Simple furnishings and a subdued color palette serve to make the views the star of this open living space. Clean lines keep the style subtle while heightening the sophistication.
The post-and-beams construction enables larger more, open rooms.
It’s a classic technique that doesn’t go out of style.
One of the benefits of the Garcettis’ collaboration with Scarfano was reduction of one of the upstairs bathrooms and the expansion of it’s decks with eco-friendly materials to make an open house feel even more so.
Larger windows were also added in the bedrooms, and give the house a treetop feel.
This is an architectural home that takes advantage of it’s surroundings. Inside meets outside on this glass-filled catwalk-style walkway.
Did we mention that it’s sited on nearly a half-acre of multi-leveled land? It’s Filled with intimate nooks and hidden usable space.
With an outdoor deck that just keeps going…
and going…
…and going.
An epic multi-tiered garden is ready to create locally grown produce with the help of your green thumb.
Elysian Heights aren’t messing around…
2120 Avon has hillside views by day and city lights at night.
That’s a handsome home on a handsome lot.
Eco friendly materials to protect the beauty that surrounds the special space.
This beautifully cared for and modernized 3 bedroom/2 Bathroom in the Echo Park Hills is a rare combination of sophisticated style and environmental sustainability that is often attempted but rarely achieved – a truly special home. Also, you have the added cache of “the mayor used to live here” — pretty cool overall.
Other features include: Great room with double sided fireplace, Cook’s kitchen, First floor bedroom offers en-suite living area, Master and 2nd bedroom upstairs. With its terraced organic vegetable garden, citrus orchard and easy access to Elysian Park, this rare offering is ideal for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners, a calm and peaceful retreat in the heart of LA.
