http://www.abbotkinneyloft.infoThe latest properties on the market in Pacific Palisades California.http://www.palisadeshuntington.comReal EstateAgencyLogic.comThis area of the Pacific Palisades is known for its family friendly residential streets, huge Eucalyptus trees and cool ocean breezes. Originally bought for personal use by Abbott Kinney, a well known scholar and developer, it was soon sold to Collis Huntington, whose railroad dominated the Southern Pacific Railroad Network. The development of the Huntington Palisades was left to Mark Daniels and W.W. William, two engineers with experience in landscape architecture and road construction. Upon creating their plans for the layout of the streets, the two decided to name them after famous places and people of Mexico, starting with Alma Real Drive, to honor William's lady friend, a Mexican singer and dancer. The initial buyers of the various lots were offered a three hundred-foot stretch of private beach and membership to the new neighborhood association. The opening ceremonies for the development were on January 20, 1926, and with the completion of Sunset Boulevard, people drove their new "motor cars" out to the Pacific and began to look for a home site. The Huntington Palisades retains a singular magic and extraordinary beauty, as it sits on the edge of the Pacific coastline. The neighborhood presently consists of 477 homes ranging in value from approximately 3 million dollars for tear down to the highest recent sale in the neighborhood which was 458 Toyopa Drive for $ 8,750,000. This property closed escrow in Jan of 2010. An ever popular and sought after neighborhood, the "Huntington" is characterized by it's beautifully maintained traditional style homes, grassy yards and sidewalks, all within walking distance to the village, library, and parks. Current Active Listings 14801 Pampas Ricas $2,495,000 601 Frontera Drive $3,195,000 326 Toyopa Drive $5,400,000 620 Chautauqua Boulevard $5,950,000 558 Chautauqua Boulevard $9,500,000 14974 Corona del Mar $12.975,000 205 Chautauqua Boulevard $14,000,00 692 Chautauqua Boulevard $17.495,000 Sold Listing Price Sale Price Close of Escrow 14852 Sunset Boulevard $1,298,000 $1,100,000 1/14/2010 826 Alma Real Drive $1,939,000 $1,820,000 1/6/2010 845 Toyopa Drive $2,250,000 $2,029,630 1/26/2010 14940 Alva Drive $3,195,000 $3,195,000 2/3/2010 14939 La Cumbre Drive $3,199,000 $3,200,000 1/13/2010 556 Ocampo Drive $4,495,000 $3,900,000 1/11/2010 700 Alma Real Drive $4,499,500 $3,715,000 1/13/2010 458 Toyopa Drive $9,595,000 $8,750,000 1/20/2010 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.pacificpalisadesbluffhomes.comReal EstateAgencyLogic.comThis popular area is South (or West) of Sunset toward the beach. There are the Via de la Paz Bluff homes and the El Medio Bluff homes. This mainly flat area enjoys terrific ocean breezes, and is both walking distance to the Bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and convenient to town for shopping. This upscale area is a combination of remaining small bungalows, starting in the $1.2 million range, to newer customs homes in the $3.0 to $4.5 million price range. Many of the Via de la Paz Bluff homes are in the Palisades Elementary district. Many of the El Medio Bluff homes are in the Marquez Elementary district. I HAVE LISTINGS COMING TO MARKET IN THIS AREA - SEE BELOW: LISTING #1 - STUNNING TRADITIONAL- 5 BEDROOMS, POOL, GUEST HOUSE 3,600 SQUARE FOOT ON 10,000 SQ FT + LOT! OCEAN VIEWS! $ 3,295,000 LISTING # 2 - CHARMING - 4 BEDROOM 3 BATH SINGLE LEVEL TRADITIONAL 2,600 SQUARE FEET. 8,000 FOOT LOT! $ 1,995,000 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.abbotkinneyloft.infoReal EstateAgencyLogic.comVENICE HISTORY - HOW IT ALL BEGAN In the 1890’s, one man’s dream of a renaissance resort and amusement park transformed a deteriorating marshland west of Los Angeles, California, into the "Coney Island of the Pacific". Despite disbelief and opposition, the dreams of Abbot Kinney materialized in grand style. The vision of Abbot Kinney, a wealthy tobacco mogul, world traveler and co-owner of the Ocean Park Casino and Resort, was to turn the land south of Ocean Park through the Del Rey peninsula into a "Venice of America." He envisioned a resort town culturally reminiscent of Venice, Italy, complete with canals, gondolas, amusement piers, hotels and Venetian-styled structures. With the Casino thriving, Kinney and his partners purchased all the land south of Ocean Park. After the partnership dissolved, the split was determined by a flip of a coin and Kinney won the toss. He chose the marshy southern half of the property. With his family by his side, Kinney set out to accomplish his goal. In 1904, Kinney sent his building superintendent to the East Coast to visit various seaside resorts. Acquiring a landscape architect and town planner from Boston, Kinney and his staff drew up preliminary plans in June. Contracts were signed to dig up the half mile long, seventy foot wide Grand Canal and build the 900 foot long, 30 foot wide amusement pier at Windward Avenue. Construction began shortly thereafter. He then hired architects to design all the town buildings in "Venetian Renaissance" style. In September, The Los Angles Pacific Co. enabled inland LA residents to visit Venice by completing the first electric trolley line. By the year's end, construction of the Ship Cafe and Auditorium, located on the Abbot Kinney Pier, the Venice Canals, and the St. Mark's Hotel on Windward were well underway. All was running smoothly until two disastrous winter storms in February and March of 1905 demolished his newly built pier. As a result, the grand opening date was pushed back from May until July. Over 1000 workers worked around the clock to rebuild the pier, auditorium and Pavilion in time for the July 4th weekend rescheduled opening. On June 30, ocean water, streaming in through two huge pipes, began flowing at a rate of 500 gallons a second thus filling the canal's central lagoon. With the majority of the canals filled and the pier completed, Venice, California was ready to celebrate. On July 4th weekend, the festivities featured something for everyone. Yacht racing, swimming races in the lagoon, band concerts, fireworks at the lagoon's huge 2500 seat amphitheater were some of the many events that amazed and wowed the 20,000 spectators. Although many of the resort hotels and attractions were not finished, the existing accommodations were sufficient and the tourists were enchanted. Venice of America was a success. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT