The Diditan Group, founded by Arie Abekasis sporting a background in fashion, has been a premier housing builder since 2001. In words engraved by its founder, Diditan Group’s motto is building ‘an exquisite home that makes you proud and, most importantly, makes your dream a reality’. Expect nothing less of the homes built by the company. Take, for example, one of their villa-styled homes in Sherman Oaks – complete with palm tree installments, pool and city views. Or, perhaps, one of their Taos, New Mexico-styled homes reclusively located in the hills of Studio City. The company’s dynamic, custom-made options for clientele reflect the diverse nature of Los Angeles’ populance, and therefore its wide-ranging success. The chameleonic style of each home’s appearance is juxtaposed solely by the peppering of Abekasis’ Mediterranean influence, adding a level of class to each and every requested house plan – be it in Palm Springs or West Hollywood.
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A common phrase heard amongst the housing markets of Southern California is transitional architecture. Indeed, with counties such as Los Angeles and San Bernardino ranking amongst the most progressive, multi-faceted, and multi-ethnic communities in the United States, such a term shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. But to categorize it as simply another label would belie the grand, innovative, and playfully chameleonic nature of the housing designs it inspires and innovates. Especially in Los Angeles county itself, the city consistently drawing visitor’s courtesy of Hollywood’s romantic shadow, the housing market has proven to be the most eclectic courtesy of said diversity’s give-and-take factors. The skillful blending of classical Italian design with post-modern, luxury housing plans is a highlight specific to the county itself, premier building companies such as the Diditan Group incorporating custom-made Mediterranean and Tuscan attributes for each housing plan.
In a town that often faces criticism for underrepresentation in celluloid, nothing could be further from the truth with respect to the creativity and aesthetic of its housing developments. “I believe building a home is an art,” Abekasis has said. “(I) am inspired by art, like paintings. When you have a painting that you just can’t stop looking at, you put one of those in the home.” He describes the transitional ‘blend’ of styles when designing houses as ‘the best of both worlds’. “When you mix vision and knowledge together, that is what truly sets you apart,” he has said. “Anybody can build a home, but the trick is how you build it – sort of like clothing.
Anybody can dress themselves, but to truly leave an impression, you have to know how to combine your clothing to represent you and your lifestyle.” In a town where presentation both in and out of the industry is everything, it’s all about the details that either make or break one’s dream home.
Examples of ‘transitional’ architectural projects in real-time include the gentrification and reopening of old and abandoned facilities. Another high-profile real estate development firm in the LA housing market, CGI Strategies, recently refurbished what is now the James of Hollywood. A high-end apartment complex sporting numerous amenities, the facility still maintains the look and style of its previous incarnation. In the 1920s, the buildings were established with a specific, Mediterranean-revival iconography. While much of the excess of this style has been replaced with a more modern edge, the exterior of the buildings including the courtyard have retained much of the same, old Hollywood intrigue.
With projects such as the James Hollywood, Mariposa on 3rd, Villa Carlotta or the ever so fabulous residential hotel- style living 888 Hilgard – it appears CGI is on a meteoric rise to change the L.A. housing landscape one mixed-use building at a time.
Presently the top trends in Los Angeles architecture have included Mediterranean & Spanish, Tuscan, Traditional, Modern and Contemporary. The latter especially compliments CGI Strategies’ professional aesthetics, in particular its penchant for refurbishing apartment complexes with noticeably high-end, Park Avenue-style interior design. Founded in 2013 by former real estate investment and management firm head Gidi Cohen, CGI Strategies has an unusually thoughtful and conscientious approach to its marketing and mission. From the horse’s mouth, CGI Strategies describes their philosophy as being ‘driven by a genuine passion to enrich lives, build thoughtful communities, and strategically grow portfolios of enduring value while specializing in developing and acquiring multifamily real estate of exceptional quality’. It shows. With projects such as the James of Hollywood apartments, the company chose quirky and endearing elements such as a self-proclaimed ‘urban jungle’ – its symbolism entailing what they describe as representations of Los Angeles being ‘a city full of vibrancy, diversity and desire’.
Complimenting projects such as housing commissioned by Diditan Group or CGI Strategies is Kavin Construction, a home remodeling service based in Culver City. The company was founded by the eponymous Michael Kavin himself, sporting over forty years of experience in the field. As such, Kavin Construction has prided itself on consistent, successful endeavors for various clientele across Los Angeles county. Highlights include their extensive interior design work, especially kitchen remodeling. While Kavin Construction often has opted for working on contemporary design models, they still have capitulated when it comes transitional plans – completing the full circle of professionals pursuing the trends attracting consumers from far and wide.
There’s something uniquely inspiring about how the multiethnic nature of Southern California is reflected in the realty permeating the Los Angeles skyline. Each house tells a small but undeniable story about the tenant living there. Whether it’s the choice of palm trees on the front lawn, the wide and expansive arches framing the front door, or the escapist or almost mythic-like design and decorating of the home’s significant, interior spaces. It’s why in spite of rising Covid-19 cases, the Southern California housing markets remain one of the most sought-after enterprises today.
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IN THE NEWS
Architecture and Real Estate: The Beauty Around Us that is built to Endure
Architecture. It’s literally everywhere, and comprises the eclectic nature of the various eras that Los Angeles has grown through, and into. For some, architecture is to be worshipped and revered while others prefer to bulldoze and construct in the design of the time. As such, the Los Angeles area is filled with a rich architectural history and is home to some of the leading trend setters of the present.
Amid the swaying palms that line the elegant streets of the finest neighborhoods, Mediterranean, Spanish, and Tuscan-inspired properties peek from behind lush hedges that give a glimpse of the casual, yet elegant style that is highly desired. Terra cotta clay tile roofs, graceful arches and curves, engaging balconies, dramatic ornamental ironwork, soothing fountains, and wooden doors, gates, and trims typically protect these homes. Most versions of this genre are whitewashed stucco walls or other light and soft shades to feature the details.
Traditional style is more formal than Mediterranean, and often more orderly and more historical in appearance. Though Traditional can refer to the materials used and not the style, many of the grand homes in areas such as Hancock Park and Bel Air are built in traditional styles. These can include Cape Cod, Craftsman, Colonial, Bungalow, Farmhouse, Cottage, Greek revival and other classically detailed homes. Floor plans are constructed to benefit the lifestyles of the occupants, and designs often include steeper pitched rooflines, lofts, gables, posts, covered porches, and open foyers.
Traditional styles can be seen in many hotel, retail, and residential developments in the area as well. A premier example is The Miramar Beach Resort, formerly the Mira Mar Beach Hotel, in Montecito, CA. The Pygmalion behind this dramatic renovation is none other than Rick J. Caruso, CEO of Caruso, whose development, The Grove, sets the new standard for neighborhood experiences. His work on the Miramar is simply unforgettable and may be the new standard by which all other Traditional architecture will forever be judged.
Modern architecture, and its offspring, Mid-Century Modern, came into being after World War II and still endure today. The Industrial Revolution and emerging technologies were part of the post –war movement that was also seen in the arts, literature, and music of that time. Modern is believed to be a reaction to oppose the heavy and overdone style of the Victorian and Art Nouveau eras. Modern is unfettered and even stark at times, but evokes a sense of calm and order in the repetition of the geometric features.
Contemporary architecture is seen predominantly in properties built between the 1960’s and 1970’s. Large plate glass windows, extensive use of metal, concrete, and often trim in natural wood or stone are the hallmarks of this design. More asymmetrical in form, these buildings use circular shapes along with geometric patterns. They feature and favor ample natural light through the use of sliding glass doors, and may be the original open concept floor plan design that is so loved today. Builders today are asked to re-create these appealing features in dramatically, severe modern homes, or in a gentler version that is referred to as ‘soft’ contemporary.
Transitional is the love child of modern and traditional architectural styles in that the design can incorporate many of the favorite aspects of both. The blend can be customized for the patron and become a delightful eclectic mix that is pleasing and, in many ways, timeless. With adaptable floor plans that often bring the outdoors in, Transitional is often considered a bridge between Traditional and Modern. This mixture offers a comfortable aesthetic for most people as it evokes the past, but trends toward the future. The result is so rewarding that many aficionados of the modern look will find the blend appealing and irresistible.
Arie Abekasis of Diditan Luxury Home Builders comes to the construction world with a background in the fashion industry. Inspired by his mother Rina who was a skilled tailor, and experienced in fashion and style, he particularly enjoys blending Mediterranean, Tuscan, and Modern styles into the Transitional for the pleasure of his clients.
No matter what style inspires you, the beauty and history of all of these, and more, can be found from the breezy Palisades to the frosty foothills; from the calm and peacefulness of our local deserts to the verdant estates of Holmby Hills, Benedict Canyon, Hollywood Hills and Malibu.
No matter what style inspires you, the beauty and history of all of these, and more, can be found from the breezy Palisades to the frosty foothills; from the calm and peacefulness of our local deserts to the verdant estates of Holmby Hills, Benedict Canyon, Hollywood Hills and Malibu.
