For an example of what makes Los Angeles such a gruesome and greedy place, one needs to look no further than the plans to raze and destroy the 9-acre Oakie Estate in Northridge.
Jack Oakie was a comedian and actor from the 1930s and 40s who lived here in the NW Valley when the surroundings were filled with horse farms and orange groves. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were his neighbors.
Oakie, who died in 1978, watched as Northridge descended into the grotesque, un-walkable and blindingly crude big-box sprawl that it is today. The farms were asphalted over, and the mammoth shopping centers, with their baking black asphalt in the 110 degree heat, this is what we have today.
So USC owns the house, which is also a historical monument, yet the University wants to sell it to a developer, who will pave over the green land and Paul Williams designed home. Proceeds from the sale will allegedly be used to finance the film school so its students can learn those skills needed to make the future “Transformers” or “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”. A piece of the Valley history, one that goes back to our agricultural and film industry roots, will be no more.
Is there not one government official with guts who can persuade the city of Los Angeles to buy this and turn it into a recreational and historic green space? This would be a most beautiful park, a respite from the commercial and material assault on the senses that Northridge normally is.
I can already see the vinyl windows, the Hummers pulling into the gates, the fat kids sitting in air-conditioning in front of their plasma screens, the absolute artificiality of what will be coming here…..
Here in Van Nuys 
I cant believe they are selling it they are probably going to have it torn down since they are selling it to a developer. Ugh, not good.
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Can you get married there?
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There is a large lot in Northridge, along Parthenia where some flipper or developer razed the single home and built two homes on the lot. Unfortunately the two homes were finished and went on the market as the housing market started to tank. I can now snicker as I drive past these two unsold homes. Karma! Neighborhood destroyers aren’t raking in the cash like these use to. Karma also bit flippers in Sherman Oaks. There is a nice, lovely street of small homes in Sherman Oaks (west of Van nuys, south of Magnolia boulevard, east of Kester) where home after home was razed to built Terra cotta McMansions that towere over the neighbors. A few sit unsold.
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How about using the place as a public park for everyone to enjoy? That way all those overweight kids could get some exercise outdoors and tear themselves away from their Wii’s.
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I’m so glad someone else is concerned about over development in the valley and destroying the last remaining, intact, estate that dates back to the “hollywood era” of the valley. I was lucky enough to get a close up view of this estate in April, and it will be a shame if the developer is allowed to squeeze a bunch of cookie-cutter, non distinct, houses on these beautiful acres.
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I sent email to Greig Smith. Opposing the proposed Kohls and San Fernando Mission and Zelzah (in the former Ralphs shell) is the new pastime in my neighborhood.
I don’t think a new Kohls in what is now a pretty depressing strip mall is all that bad an idea. I’d much rather see effort put into saving Oakies. I sent email to Greig Smith, LA city councilman for the area.
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I emailed my councilmember and USC about how appalled I was about this and how this piece of history should be preserved.
I don’t know what else to do. Anybody?
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Thanks for letting us see the place. I don’t know anything about Jack Oakie except that he was a very gifted comedian who brought a lot of pleasure to people, including me.
What a shame his reward is going to be torn down. It looks so helpless in the midst of the city.
you are an amazing voice for good, and hope.
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“SAVE THE OAKIE OPEN SPACE!”
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Does anyone know of any petition or other way people can get there voices heard to save this place?
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