Featured image credit: Los Angeles
There’s no stronger endorsement for older properties with architectural heritage than Los Angeles’s tendency to stall new construction. That’s where the neighborhood of Highland Park LA comes into the picture. It’s not to be confused with Highland Park, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, or the dozens of neighborhoods around the world that share its name. LA’s Highland Park is a hotbed of late 19th and early 20th century structures, both residential and commercial. The problem is that if you don’t already know this, you might completely miss them!
The Diversity of Architectural Styles in Highland Park LA
Just casually passing through Highland Park LA feels like securing a prime seat for a parade of architectural styles. From Victorian-era mansions to cottages in Revival designs, it seems that every style finds representation in its skewed grid of avenues. Highland Park is so replete with architecturally significant structures that it is officially looped in as part of a larger collective known as the Highland Park-Garvanza Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ). HPOZ particularly focuses on protecting buildings constructed from the 1880s through the 1940s.
Some of the historic styles you’re likely to find while touring Highland Park LA include:
Victorian/Queen Anne
Stunning examples of late 1800s Victorian and Queen Anne architecture abound in Highland Park. Perhaps one of the most obvious examples is the 1887 Smith Estate, a Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion proudly perched atop its hill at the center of El Mio Drive near Avenue 59. The Hale House, one of the most beautiful homes in nearby Heritage Square Museum, originally stood in Highland Park as well.
Craftsman/Bungalow Courts
You can’t walk far in Highland Park without coming across one of the neighborhood’s lovely Craftsman homes. It’s largely a result of the influence the Arts & Crafts Movement of the early 1900s had on area architecture. You’ll also find traces in the numerous Bungalow Courts that pepper the neighborhood.
Revival Styles
Though Revival architectural styles can be found pretty much all over the LA area, Highland Park has a pronounced concentration of examples. From the 1910s through the ‘30s, these homes incorporated romanticized takes on historical designs, from English Tudor homes to the Spanish Missions of old. A large portion of the neighborhood’s eclectic, timeless charm stems directly from these Revival homes and buildings.
Notable Buildings Around Highland Park
Highland Park LA is a treasure trove of specific gems with historical or architectural significance. A clear standout is the 1904 Ziegler Estate, a hybrid between a Queen Anne and American Craftsman that artfully captures the stylistic transition as designs evolved with the turn of the century. The Highland Park Masonic Temple, finished in 1923, stands as a sterling example of Renaissance/Mediterranean Revival. The tri-story brick structure with rich interior wood paneling was originally intended as a fraternal lodge, but today houses the 500-capacity Lodge Room musical venue, leaning into the neighborhood’s distinctly bohemian culture.
The Obscure Value of These Structures
Of course, charm is subjective. But these properties offer more than character and historical value. The demand for unique homes in neighborhoods like Highland Park LA makes these smart investments for those looking for long-term value. This goes doubly for architecturally significant properties that are well-maintained.
Ironically, one of the most attractive selling points of the classic homes of Highland Park is also why they’re often overlooked by prospective buyers. Most are located well off the busiest roads that intersect the neighborhood, along streets that climb steep hills or loop around obscure corners. Even resale listings on the MLS frequently focus on these homes’ modern conveniences as opposed to their cultural or historic distinctions. Therefore, some truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities end up slipping under the radar.
How to Most Effectively Search for Homes in Highland Park LA
Is your curiosity stoked? Take your home search off your phone and actually immerse yourself in the physical charm of Highland Park LA. It’s the best way to take in all of the details offered by these gorgeously unique homes. Wander off the main roads. Leisurely take in the sharp angles of the gables, the handcrafted woodwork, and the nearly religious devotion to symmetry. Look closely with a discerning eye, since the true value of these homes may not be evident at a glance. They carry the soul of the city’s history within their walls. And you’re not likely to find that in a brand new construction or modern renovation.
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