A burnt patch of land in the ritzy Pacific Palisades has sold for nearly $1million after wildfires reduced the neighborhood to ashes.
The Palisades fire tore through Los Angeles in January, destroying prime real estate from Santa Monica to Malibu while a separate blaze destroyed nearby Pasadena.
According to a real estate listing on Realtor, this home was destroyed in the fire, offering ‘a blank canvas for visionary buyers ready to reimagine potential.’
‘This piece of land, located in the highly sought-after Palisades Highlands area, offers a rare opportunity to create your dream property,’ the listing states.
The 9,932-square-foot property located on Avenida de la Herradura was advertised on January 16, nine days after the inferno broke out, and has now been sold for ‘well over’ the $999,000 asking price.
The homeowner chose not to rebuild after the fires, which wiped out most houses in the quiet cul-de-sac and left 29 dead.
‘For her, it was an easy decision,’ listing agent Richard Schulman told Realtor. ‘She was clear she was not going to rebuild. She’s staying nearby.’
She had purchased the home for $1.54million back in 2005 and lived there ever since.
The 9,932-square-foot property located on Avenida de la Herradura was advertised on January 16, nine days after the inferno broke out. All that remains is rubble
Prior to the fires, a four-bed structure stood on the land and was estimated to be worth as much as $2.7million
Prior to the fires, a four-bed structure stood on the land and was estimated to be worth as much as $2.7million.
The listing requested ‘serious offers only so they can move on with their lives.’
‘With its unparalleled location and proximity to natural beauty, this property is ideal for those with the foresight to invest in and restore a prized piece of Los Angeles real estate.
‘Don’t miss the chance to bring new life to this remarkable location.’
Schulman said he was inundated with up to 80 inquiries, primarily from out-of-area investors, and the land was ultimately sold to a local investor.
The buyer intends to develop the property, however the timeline for doing so remains unclear.
‘We don’t know the timeline for cleanup, and we don’t know the cost for cleanup … and (the) timeline for permitting,’ he said.
‘There’s still not any access to the properties in this area. There are huge question marks about that.’
The quiet cul-de-sac was wiped out by the Palisades fire
The two major fires tore through a combined 57,000 acres of land. Tragically, 29 people died in the blazes.
Over 12,300 structures were destroyed and more than 80,000 people in all were displaced at the height of the tragedy.
‘This is what 2025 is going to look like, unfortunately,’ Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler said while the fires in the L.A. area were still burning.
‘I need everybody to be prepared.’
Now, those left behind are looking ahead to rebuild.
Governor Gavin Newsom ordered new state maps which designate more than 2.3million acres of local land in California as facing ‘high’ or ‘very high’ danger of wildfires.
‘We are living in a new reality of extremes. Believe the science – and your own damn eyes: Mother Nature is changing the way we live and we must continue adapting to those changes,’ he said.
‘California’s resilience means we will keep updating our standards in the most fire-prone areas.’
