I'm Jason Bergman, a real estate advisor with The Agency, and one of the things I have always appreciated about Altadena real estate is the variety of homes you find here.

I work with buyers and sellers across the Altadena area, including historic homes, Craftsman houses, Spanish style homes, California bungalows, Tudors, Mid Century Modern homes and contemporary architecture.

Altadena doesn't have one defining residential style, and that's part of what makes the community distinctive.

A century old Craftsman can sit a few blocks from a Spanish Colonial Revival, a traditional bungalow, a Mid Century home or something completely modern. The architecture reflects different periods of Southern California history rather than a single moment in time.

That makes one of the more unusual stories emerging from Altadena after the Eaton Fire particularly interesting to me.

Entire historic houses are being moved into Altadena.

And yes, that means literally moved.

Existing Los Angeles homes that might otherwise have been demolished are being saved, carefully separated into sections, transported across the city and reconstructed in Altadena.

Some are more than 100 years old.

The Los Angeles Conservancy recognized architecture and urban design firm Omgivning's Historic House Relocation Project with a 2026 Preservation Award Chair Award. The project is helping preserve historic and near historic Los Angeles houses while giving families who lost homes in the Eaton Fire another way to return to Altadena.

It also raises a question that sounds almost impossible the first time you hear it:

Can you really take an existing house somewhere in Los Angeles, put it on a truck and move it to Altadena?

Yes.

And it is already happening.

For more on Altadena's neighborhoods, architecture and homes, visit my Altadena Real Estate and Homes for Sale guide.

Can You Really Move an Entire House to Altadena?

Yes.

A house is first evaluated to determine whether it can be safely relocated. Depending on its size and design, the structure may be moved largely intact or carefully divided into several large sections.

Those sections are reinforced, lifted onto specialized equipment and transported along a carefully planned route.

Imagine seeing a 100 year old Craftsman traveling through Los Angeles in the middle of the night.

The route itself has to account for utility lines, trees, bridges, narrow streets and turns. Once the house reaches Altadena, it is reassembled at its new home and rehabilitated for its next chapter.

Several families have now done exactly that.

Where Have Historic Houses Actually Been Moved in Altadena?

This isn't a proposal or an architectural thought experiment.

There are real houses, real families and real Altadena addresses.

1853 Taft Avenue, Hollywood → 55 Mountain View Street, Altadena

One of the first relocations involved a 1911 Craftsman at 1853 Taft Avenue in Hollywood.

The approximately 2,400 square foot, four bedroom house and garage was facing demolition.

Instead, Evan and Caitlin Chambers acquired it to replace the home they lost in the Eaton Fire.

Its new address is:

55 Mountain View Street, Altadena.

The Craftsman was carefully divided into sections and transported across Los Angeles.

What I find particularly interesting about this house is how naturally the architecture fits Altadena.

Craftsman homes have been part of this community for generations. Rather than constructing something new designed to resemble a historic Craftsman, an actual 1911 Los Angeles Craftsman has been given another life here.

A Craftsman That Has Already Been Moved Twice

2919 St. George Street, Los Feliz → 1008 E. Poppyfields Drive, Altadena

The Duntley Blackburn Residence has an even more remarkable history.

The approximately 3,600 square foot, five bedroom Craftsman was most recently located at:

2919 St. George Street in Los Feliz.

Its new home is:

1008 E. Poppyfields Drive in Altadena.

But Altadena isn't its second address.

It's its third.

The residence was originally built around 1910 at 707 N. Mariposa Avenue in Hollywood.

When construction of the Hollywood Freeway threatened the house in 1948, Alice Blackburn acquired it and had the residence moved to Los Feliz.

More than 75 years later, the house faced demolition again.

And once again, someone decided it was worth saving.

Gwen Sukeena and Jacques Laramee acquired the Craftsman and relocated it to Altadena after losing their previous home in the Eaton Fire.

One house has now traveled:

707 N. Mariposa Avenue → 2919 St. George Street → 1008 E. Poppyfields Drive.

It is a reminder that moving houses isn't actually a new idea in Los Angeles.

We simply don't see it very often anymore.

What About the $1 House Moved to Altadena?

This may be the most surprising example.

Lauren and David Martinez lost their Altadena home in the Eaton Fire.

They later found a 1926 Tudor Revival residence at:

855 N. Orlando Avenue, Los Angeles.

The house was facing demolition.

The reported purchase price for the house itself?

$1.

It was divided into two major sections and transported approximately 26 miles to:

141 W. Pine Street, Altadena.

Los Angeles County records describe the relocated residence as approximately 2,273 square feet with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Of course, a $1 house doesn't mean a $1 finished home.

There are still significant expenses involved in moving, restoring and preparing an existing house for its new location.

But that's what makes this story fascinating.

A house that had almost no value to someone preparing to remove it could have enormous value to a family looking for a home.

Are Other Historic Houses Being Moved to Altadena?

Yes.

In 2026, nonprofit DECRO Corporation began relocating century old residences from 3016 N. Main Street in Lincoln Heights.

Rather than demolishing the older houses, they were preserved and ultimately donated to families who had lost homes in Altadena.

Brooke Lohman Janz and Michael Janz received a two story Victorian residence that was moved to:

56 La Venezia Court, Altadena.

Los Angeles County records describe the residence as approximately 1,739 square feet.

Another homeowner, Anna Schlobohm de Cruder, received two smaller historic houses after losing both her primary residence and accessory dwelling unit in the Eaton Fire.

Instead of disappearing, these older Los Angeles houses are becoming part of another neighborhood's architectural history.

Why Are People Moving Old Houses Instead of Building New Ones?

There are several reasons.

One is cost.

Spectrum News reported an estimate of approximately $350 per square foot for relocation, compared with approximately $450 to $650 per square foot for a new home.

Those figures are estimates associated with these projects, not universal Altadena pricing. The actual cost can vary considerably depending on the house, its condition, distance traveled and restoration required.

But economics are only part of the story.

There is also something difficult to put a price on:

original architecture.

A Craftsman built in 1911 isn't the same thing as a house built today to resemble a Craftsman.

Older houses can contain original woodwork, proportions, windows, detailing and craftsmanship that are difficult and expensive to reproduce.

For people who love historic homes, that matters.

How Do You Find a Historic House That Can Be Moved?

Many of these houses are discovered because they are facing demolition elsewhere in Los Angeles.

An older residence may sit on a property that's changing uses. The house itself can still be beautiful and structurally viable even though its current owner no longer needs it.

Omgivning's Historic House Relocation Project works to identify historic and near historic homes at risk of demolition and connect them with families rebuilding after the fires.

It turns what might have become demolition debris into someone's home.

Does a Relocated Historic House Still Need Permits?

Yes.

Moving an existing house doesn't allow it to bypass current requirements.

The house still has to go through applicable Los Angeles County review and permitting, and work may be required to bring structural, electrical, plumbing and other systems into compliance.

The Los Angeles Conservancy explains that houses participating in the relocation program are rehabilitated to meet current building codes while preserving their historic character.

That's an important part of the concept.

The goal isn't simply to save an old building.

It's to preserve the architecture while making the house viable for another generation.

Why Historic Homes Matter in Altadena

This may be the part of the story I find most interesting.

Altadena's character isn't defined by one architectural style.

You can find Craftsman homes, California bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival and Spanish style residences, Tudors, traditional homes, Mid Century Modern architecture and contemporary houses throughout the community.

I've worked with different styles of homes throughout Altadena and the surrounding Pasadena area, and understanding the architecture is often part of understanding the property itself.

Buyers who love a Craftsman aren't necessarily looking for the same thing as someone drawn to a Mid Century home.

Someone searching for a Spanish home may care about original arches, courtyards, tile, woodwork and proportions.

A bungalow buyer may be looking for scale, simplicity and the relationship between the house, porch and street.

Historic homes often attract buyers because of the things that make them different, not because they conform to something new.

The Eaton Fire took away an enormous amount of Altadena's architectural history.

Moving historic houses into the community won't replace what was lost.

But it offers an unusual way for some of that architectural character to continue.

Buying or Selling a Historic Home in Altadena

For buyers, my job is to help you understand what you're actually buying and then put you in the strongest possible position to get it.

With a Craftsman, Spanish style home, bungalow, Tudor, Mid Century Modern home or other architecturally distinctive property, that starts with looking beyond bedroom count and square footage. I want to understand the home's history, original architectural details, alterations made over time, permits, condition, location and how those characteristics compare with other homes in Altadena.

Then we have to compete.

The homes people fall in love with can attract multiple offers. Winning in that environment isn't always about being the highest bidder. Price matters, but so do terms, timing, contingencies, communication and understanding what is actually important to the seller.

My promise to buyers is to help you understand the house, understand the competition and structure the strongest offer we can without losing sight of what the home is worth to you.

For sellers, the goal isn't simply to put a home on the market.

It's to create the strongest possible market for it.

An architecturally distinctive home shouldn't be marketed like every other house. The details that make a Craftsman, Spanish home, bungalow, Tudor or Mid Century residence special need to be identified, researched and communicated correctly.

That can include the architecture, period details, history, previous owners, architect or builder when known, restoration work and the relationship between the home and its neighborhood.

Those details become part of the positioning, photography, marketing and story of the property. The goal is to create enough interest and urgency that buyers compete for the home rather than simply wait for the price to come down.

I've represented homes that have sold above asking price and generated significant multiple-offer competition. That experience shapes how I think about preparation, pricing and launch strategy.

My promise to sellers is to understand what makes your home different, make sure buyers understand it too, and position the property to pursue the strongest price and terms the market will support.

That approach applies whether the home is 100 years old or contemporary.

Good real estate marketing starts with understanding the property itself. Good representation is what turns that understanding into a strategy.

For more on the different homes and neighborhoods I work with, visit my Altadena Real Estate and Homes for Sale guide.

What I Have Seen in Altadena Since the Eaton Fire

My work in Altadena has also given me a close view of how the housing market has changed since the Eaton Fire.

In April 2025, The Real Deal interviewed me about Altadena real estate following the Eaton Fire, including the choices facing homeowners as the community began figuring out what came next.

Read The Real Deal's coverage and my perspective on Altadena after the Eaton Fire.

Since then, the conversation has continued to evolve.

For me, the historic house relocation movement is another part of that story.

Altadena isn't simply replacing houses.

The community is beginning to decide what it wants the next generation of Altadena homes to look and feel like.

Some will be new.

Some will be modern.

Some will draw inspiration from the architecture that existed before the fire.

And remarkably, some will actually be century old Los Angeles houses beginning an entirely new chapter in Altadena.

What Could Moving Historic Homes Mean for Altadena?

We won't know the full impact for years.

But from a real estate perspective, I think one question will be particularly interesting:

How will future Altadena buyers respond to these homes?

Will an authentic 1911 Craftsman have a different appeal than a newly built Craftsman inspired house?

Will buyers place additional value on original architecture and craftsmanship?

How will a relocated and restored historic home compare with a completely new residence?

There isn't enough resale history yet to answer those questions.

That's what makes these first houses worth watching.

They aren't simply unusual rebuilding projects.

They're becoming part of Altadena's architectural history.

For more on the community, its neighborhoods and the different styles of homes found throughout the area, visit my Altadena Real Estate and Homes for Sale guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Historic Homes to Altadena

Can you really move an existing house to Altadena?

Yes. Multiple existing and historic Los Angeles houses have already been relocated or are being relocated to Altadena following the Eaton Fire. Depending on the size and design of the residence, a house may be transported largely intact or separated into several sections before being reassembled.

Where have historic houses been moved in Altadena?

Recent documented examples include a 1911 Craftsman moved from 1853 Taft Avenue in Hollywood to 55 Mountain View Street in Altadena, a circa 1910 Craftsman moved from 2919 St. George Street in Los Feliz to 1008 E. Poppyfields Drive, and a 1926 Tudor moved from 855 N. Orlando Avenue to 141 W. Pine Street.

How much does it cost to move a house to Altadena?

There is no single price. Spectrum News reported an estimate of approximately $350 per square foot for relocation compared with approximately $450 to $650 per square foot for a new home.

Actual costs can vary significantly depending on the size and condition of the house, transportation distance, restoration and other project requirements.

Can you really buy a house for $1 and move it to Altadena?

It has happened.

Lauren and David Martinez reportedly acquired the 1926 Tudor moved from 855 N. Orlando Avenue to 141 W. Pine Street for $1 because the house was otherwise facing demolition.

The $1 price was for the house itself and did not represent the total cost of moving, restoring and preparing the residence for its new home.

Are Craftsman homes being moved to Altadena?

Yes.

Several documented relocation projects involve early 20th century Craftsman residences, including the 1911 house from 1853 Taft Avenue and the circa 1910 Duntley Blackburn Residence from 2919 St. George Street.

Why save an old house instead of replacing it?

Historic houses can contain original architecture, materials and craftsmanship that are difficult to reproduce.

Relocation can preserve that character while preventing an existing house from being demolished.

For a community like Altadena, where Craftsman homes, bungalows, Spanish style residences, Tudors and other historic architecture have long contributed to the character of its neighborhoods, preservation can also help carry some of that architectural history forward.

Do relocated historic houses have to meet current building codes?

Yes.

Relocated houses remain subject to applicable requirements. The Los Angeles Conservancy says homes participating in the Historic House Relocation Project are rehabilitated to meet current building codes while preserving their historic character.

Could I move a historic house to Altadena?

Potentially.

The house and its intended location have to work together, and the structure must be suitable for relocation. Professional evaluation and applicable Los Angeles County approvals are required before a move can take place.

Does Jason Bergman work with historic and architectural homes in Altadena?

Yes. Jason Bergman is a real estate advisor with The Agency who works with buyers and sellers in Altadena and the greater Pasadena area, including historic and architecturally distinctive homes.

His work includes Craftsman homes, Spanish style residences, California bungalows, Tudors, Mid Century Modern homes, contemporary properties and other residential architecture found throughout the area.

For buyers, Bergman's approach includes helping clients understand the home, evaluate its value and structure competitive offers in multiple offer situations. Winning isn't always about simply offering the highest price. Terms, timing, contingencies and understanding what matters to the seller can all play a role.

For sellers, his approach combines preparation, pricing, architectural storytelling and launch strategy to create competition for a home. Bergman has represented homes that have generated multiple offers and sold above asking price, with the goal of pursuing the strongest price and terms the market will support.

Bergman has also been interviewed by The Real Deal about Altadena's real estate market following the Eaton Fire.

Learn more in Jason's Altadena Real Estate and Homes for Sale guide.