Featured image credit: Joe Mabel
Do people make a place special? Or are there places that can inspire people to greatness they’d not have otherwise achieved? These are, no doubt, questions in the back of buyers’ minds as they peruse Laurel Canyon homes. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon rose to prominence as a celebrity enclave during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Yet, it’s what happened much later during a countercultural Renaissance that built the lore that makes Laurel Canyon what it is today.
The Legends of Laurel Canyon
In the 1960s, Laurel Canyon became a beacon of sorts for artists aligned with the countercultural movements of the day. A big part of this was the affordability of the community at the time. But artists also valued how convenient it was in those days to get from Laurel Canyon to the chic, more happening areas like the Sunset Strip. What Laurel Canyon lacked in glamor, it made up for with its affordability, logistical convenience, and a peaceful seclusion treasured by creative minds.
If you were to wander the area in those days, you’d find a ramshackle collection of hippie-harboring bungalows lining single-lane, winding mountain roads and a single community country store punctuating the rustic wilderness. And if you knocked at those bungalows, you could get an answer from Joni Mitchell, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, or even the collect members of Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
In fact, it was Mitchell’s home (immortalized in the Crosby, Stills & Nash song “Our House”), along with that of Cass Elliot (of The Mamas & the Papas), that became the creative heart of the Laurel Canyon community at the time. Graham Nash even called Elliot the “Gertrude Stein of Laurel Canyon” in reference to her numerous salons that brought together so many notable artists of the time. Laurel Canyon inspired Mitchell’s 1970 record Ladies of the Canyon, served as the point of union for the band Buffalo Springfield, and collected the legendary Rumours-era line-up of Fleetwood Mac.
Yesterday’s Legacy Fuels Today’s Housing Market
While the canyon itself may not have changed much, the Laurel Canyon market has drastically evolved since the Summer of Love over half a century ago. In short, the homes have grown, and so have the mortgage payments. And the bohemian chic that started in the ‘60s has become yet another selling point, giving it an unusual insulation from the dips of the traditional market cycle.
Yet, much of what defined Laurel Canyon in its ‘60s Renaissance is what makes it such a coveted community today. Many residents are still artistically inclined, finding refreshment in the laid-back vibe despite the relatively close proximity to the city. For musicians and artists, an atmosphere like this can be perfect for inspiring creativity.
But there are more than some scattered bungalows peppering Laurel Canyon today. It’s now recognized as an enclave of diverse architecture with stunning examples of Mid-Century Modern, Spanish and Mediterranean Revival designs, new construction, and, of course, Craftsman bungalows. At the time of writing, median home prices in Laurel Canyon have surpassed $2 million. Mama Cass wasn’t paying those prices.
A Mythological Market
While so many real estate markets rely heavily on data to drive interest, Laurel Canyon still leans on its mythology. And it’s a tactic that works beautifully even to this day. It’s not so much about the houses (though they are beautiful) or the location (though it is peaceful and convenient). It’s more about the mythology, the history, and the belief that a rare creative energy may still permeate Laurel Canyon’s land.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
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