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For my
GRS involvement, I have been working with Associate Dean Charles Lagreco
to research and document his unique Los Angeles neighborhood, known as Brentwood
Glen, from an architectural standpoint. Over the last 70 years this secluded
residential neighborhood rich in architectural detail has undergone a series
of modifications, but remains an enclave of aesthetics, affluence, high
quality of life, and community feel. Today, Brentwood Glen is comprised
of 560 residences, including a majority of single-family homes as well as
the occasional duplex, triplex, or apartment. Brentwood Glen lies on the
eastern edge of Brentwood as it is bound by the 405 Freeway and Sepulveda
Boulevard to the northeast and the Veterans property to the south and west.
West Sunset Boulevard curves just north of the neighborhood, and from there
one can follow North Gunston Drive to a winding South Acari Drive to enter
the northern end of the Glen on Beloit Avenue between Isleta Street and
Homedale Street. Beloit, Isleta, and Homedale are three of eighteen streets
which make up the Glen. Sixteen of these streets, beginning with Kiel Street
to the north, including Isleta and Homedale, and ending with Waterford Street
to the south, run perpendicular to the freeway and form regular street blocks.
Montana Street is another of these streets. However, unlike the others,
Montana cuts through Beloit Ave and Church Lane connecting to Sepulveda
to serve as a main point of entry and exit for the Glen and distinguish
between the northern and southern portions of the neighborhood. The Glen
includes two additional streets, which link the blocks together. Church
Lane begins north of Sunset, runs along the northeast edge of the Glen while
paralleling the 405 Freeway, and then ends in a freeway on ramp at the end
of Waterford. The northern half of Beloit Ave is lined with homes and curves
to creates a western border for the northern blocks of the Glen before it
straightens out and runs down the center of the eight remaining streets
south of Montana. Cashmere, Bolas, Albata, Berwick, Burnham, Chenault, and
Waterford streets all come to a dead end before reaching the Veterans property.
The history of Brentwood
Glen dates back to the early 1920's when four brothers by the last name
of Ratteree moved to the Los Angeles area and purchased this area of land,
which was a Walnut Grove at the time. The brothers soon subdivided the
land, and by 1927 the streets and sidewalks of the Ratteree Tract were
poured. All of the street names remain the same today. Also, the first
of many homes was erected at 11344 Albata Street in 1932 and remains there
today. The majority of original structures were built between 1935 and
1942. Change came to the neighborhood in 1954 as construction for the
405 Freeway began. The freeway was complete all the way to Sepulveda Pass
by 1960. In 1969 the Homeowners Association was formed, and residents
decided to rename their neighborhood Brentwood Glen. Since that time,
the neighborhood has seen ongoing but gradual change, as original homes
have been remodeled, new homes have been constructed, and traffic patterns
have been altered as a result of the 405 Freeway. Nonetheless, little
has disrupted the strong sense of community and architectural quality
that this neighborhood still offers.
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