Can This Ellis-Acted Fourplex Be Saved?

I have made no secret of my ire for the Ellis Act, which holds badly needed rental homes off the market for a minimum of five years.

From the street, 596 North New Hampshire Avenue looks like a grand Craftsman mansion that would not be out of place in Old Pasadena. It’s actually four apartments, all rent stabilized.

This building dates to 1915, just five years after East Hollywood was annexed by Los Angeles. It survived when construction of the 101 displaced or destroyed countless homes. It may not survive its current owner, who seeks to demolish it without a replacement project.

Why hasn’t the owner arranged a replacement project, and why hasn’t Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez put his foot down about all the housing losses in his own district?

You can tell Hugo what you think at councilmember.soto-martinez@lacity.org, or at 213-473-7013. Ask that there be no more losses of RSO homes without an approved replacement project.

Better yet, ask that the owner make this fourplex available to someone who does want it. This building could bring four displaced households back to Altadena.

596 North New Hampshire Avenue, East Hollywood. (Note: Google Street View image preview shows the house across the street.)