Crestwood Hills spans a pair of ridges running along either side of Kenter Canyon, approximately five minute's drive time north of Sunset Boulevard. The community has a storied history dating back to 1947, when a group of artists, professors, and musicians sought to form a progressive nonprofit housing collective. Pooling resources, the group purchased 800 acres originally known as the Mutual Housing Tract. Home designs were spearheaded by A. Quincy Jones in collaboration with other notable architects. Members of the collective were able to choose from eight base models with optional modifications, leading to construction of 150 homes in the original tract. Approximately thirty of the aforementioned residences survive to this day with their original architectural integrity. 

 

The initial homes are a textbook example of mid-century modernist design. A set of architectural guidelines ensured that certain standards were adhered to as the remaining lots began to fill in, with the vast majority of homes built prior to 1970.  The neighborhood remains architecturally controlled to this day, with oversight aimed at preserving original character in the wake of ongoing additions and redevelopment.

 

Many of the characteristics that made Crestwood Hills desirable in the 1950s are still at play today. Most homes offer commanding views, from Santa Monica Bay across the Los Angeles basin. To take advantage of the views, large decks, walls of windows, and integrated indoor/outdoor spaces are common. The Crestwood Hills Association (CHA) continues to encourage a communal spirit among residents, welcoming neighbors and hosting community events in Crestwood Hills Park. The Association also maintains the cooperative nursery school established in the 1950s, where parents play an active role and are required to volunteer at least two days a month. For further information on the CHA or nursery school please refer to their respective websites, here and here. 

 

Approximately one dozen homes in Crestwood Hills exceed the maximum size of 4,500 s.f. noted below. All were built post 1970, and the vast majority are situated along the northern fringe of the community. These select homes are 5,000 to 10,000 s.f. in size and would command around $5MM to $10MM.

 

 

 

AT A GLANCE...

 

Total Homes: 350

Year Built: Late 1950s - Present

Bedrooms: 2 - 5

Bathrooms: 2 - 5

Home Size: 1,400 s.f. - 4,500 s.f.

Lot Size: 7,000 s.f. acre to 1/2 acre

Price: $1,650,000 - $4,000,000

HOA Dues: $75 annually