Coolest House On Caravan: 1909 S Crest Dr

1909 S Crest Dr.

Los Angeles, CA 90034

3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths

Listing Price: $939,000

Delightful, turn-key 2 bedroom + den (or 3 bedroom)/ 2.5 bath traditional in Beverlywood Homeowner's Association.

Inviting, sun-filled living room with picture window, fireplace & custom mantel. Formal dining room & eat-in gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops & stainless steel appliances.

Hardwood floors, crown moldings, recessed lighting, copper plumbing and central AC. Private grassy yard and detached home office.

Coolest House on Caravan: 1631 Warnall Ave

1631 Warnall Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

3 bedrooms/ 1.75 bathrooms

Listing Price: $1,399,000




Remarks: Magical, vine-covered, single-level, storybook Traditional in Westwood's most coveted Comstock Hills neighborhood. Finely crafted and original detailing with moldings, wainscoting, lustrous hardwood floors.















Sensational newer gourmet kitchen with Travertine counters and breakfast bar. Elegant dining room off formal entry. Classic fireplace in Family-Living room with newer a/c, redone baths.

















New French doors to charming grassy backyard with two-car garage presently being used for storage. New patio for outside entertaining. Block to Century City Mall. Dramatic city light views from Living & Dining Rooms.













Kessler's Comments: This home is exceptionally charming! It was very nicely staged, and is very well priced.














If you have any questions about this property, or are interested in seeing it, please feel free to contact Mickey Kessler - cell: (310)367-2322, email: mkessler@verizon.net

The Expo Line (Phase 1): A Preview of Things To Come (to the Westside)

Phase One of The Expo Line is Due to Begin Running Soon. (Photo below shows artist rendering of the Expo Line heading west-bound approaching the Palms Park bridge, (rendering overlaid on actual photograph).

Construction and completion of the Westside extension, through West Los Angeles to Santa Monica (terminating at the Sears store), cannot be far behind. Although there has been much resistance from West Los Angeles residents it is apparent that the Expo Line is coming.

Since I grew up about a half a block from the old freight line that ran through Cheviot Hills I am very interested in the commencement, progression and ultimately the outcome of light rail service to the Westside. My interest is probably driven partly by nostalgic memories of the train chugging past our street, but I am truly curious to discover (along with all of Los Angeles) if the expansion of alternative transportation into the Westside will be a benefit to the residents. I am also wondering how the rail line will ultimately impact the home values of properties 1. very close to the Metro Line and 2. "somewhat" close to the line.

As an effort to hopefully "soften the blow" for Westside residents, I've posted these photos, video clip and additional information for your review and consideration.

The construction of the Westside extension of the Metro line has met with much resistance, primarily from the Cheviot Hills home owners, but it is all but certain that construction will begin soon. Most recently a notice went out to many Westside residents advising them that work will begin this month, removing the old, existing rail tracks, cross-ties and other materials from right of way between Bundy and Overland.

One of the major complaints by Cheviot Hills home-owners is the at-grade crossing at Overland Ave. Neighbors have expressed concern because, 1) the safety of the children attending Overland Ave. School and 2) potentially disasterous impact on traffic flow at the Overland crossing. An underground crossing is not a possibility (per officials) because of the very large storm drain that runs under Overland Ave. I am not so clear as to why there can't be a raised crossing and station as seen in the photo of the terminal station at Venice and Robertson. Linked here is a video clip from the Metro Expo Line Final Planning Meeting during which a simulation of Phase two of the Expo Line is presented, accompanied by a narration by a Metro-Link official. The official focuses much of his discussion on addressing concerns regarding auto traffic flow at crossings and noise concerns.

The line extends eastward and underground as the train leaves the USC/ National History Museum station (see photo)

The first phase of the Expo line will run from

Downtown Los Angeles to the eastern edge of Culver City. It has been completed and is currently being tested as seen in these photos and videos. It seems impressive to me how quickly this first phase of the Expo Line came together. The actual launching of the line and availability for public use have been indefinitely delayed due to problems with coordination with other lines as well as problems with the ventilation of the trains. Westsiders should take comfort in that the trains apparantly run very quietly as evidenced by the video posted here.

The photo above was taken at the last (western-most) stop at Venice and Robertson Blvds. If you'd like more detailed information there is a good article on Wikipedia. In addition, Expo Line News is a great web source that has been chronicling the development of the Expo Line from day one. For a video tour along the Phase 2 route, click this link.