This Darling Los Angeles Bungalow Just Hit the Market for $899K

The first thing you’ll notice about this 1929 residence are the views. Perched on a spacious hillside lot, the one-bedroom dwelling overlooks both Griffith Park and the iconic Hollywood Sign. "Seeing the sign always brought back childhood memories of when I lived in the South Bay," says current owner and landscape designer Carolyn Sumida. "I would stare toward the city [in awe], with the sign seeming teeny tiny. From here, it’s so close and clear!"

Carolyn and her partner, Joel Boulanger, a landscape contractor, have spent the last 16 years revitalizing the property. "When we bought the house, it was small and the landscape was overgrown with weeds, but we saw that it had great potential. Together, we dreamed of creating a little tree house retreat."

Careful not to rush the renovation process, the couple methodically carved out a lush urban escape. "At first, there was virtually no outdoor space for dining or seating. So, we created that space over time," notes Carolyn. The couple planted a combination of mesquite and olive trees to help enhance the property’s sense of privacy. "It was important to us to create a home that evoked remoteness and tranquility, yet that was still close to the city."