Matching your home with your lifestyle

by Jeff Katz

If someone’s car says a lot about the driver’s personality, imagine what his home says about him. With tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to make the most of your investments. Financial experts from Maria Bartiromo to Jim Cramer agree that if someone has the time and capital to invest, a new home is a safe bet, with careful consideration. And builders across the Southland are offering up great incentives to help you truly feel at home. So whether you’re living the green life or love spending your days at the shops, there are perfect new homes for every personality.

Green Giants

Sustainable living may be the buzzword of the new home industry, but the South Group takes it to heart with the three downtown projects, Elleven, Luma and Evo. The three-building, 700-unit collection on the corner of 11th and Grand has the eco-friendly buyer in mind, with construction to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards—including Elleven receiving the first LEED Gold certification in the state. That means providing educational outreach to residents, on-site recycling, landscape irrigation and energy-efficient appliances and plumbing. Not to mention the manicured gardens and greenspaces around the property, rooftop pools and awesome floor-to-ceiling windows that let the sunshine pour in and offer up great views of the ever-changing downtown landscape. It’s all natural and brand new. elleven-south.com, luma-south.com, evo-south.com

Luxaholics

Glendale’s Excelsior is easily the newest and hottest place to live for someone desiring first-class service and amenities, in large part because of one key factor: on-call concierge. Need restaurant reservations? Done. Book flights and vacation plans? Consider this a personal travel agency. House keeping, pet care, in-home dining and catering, heck even gift wrapping are all part of the experience of living at Excelsior. That’s on top of the resident valet parking, on-site car wash and private fitness club.

Of course, living a stone’s throw away from the luxury shops at the Americana at Brand is a pretty sweet bonus, too. Not only do residents get exclusive discounts at the more than 75 shops, restaurants and retailers, but that concierge service also doubles for a personal shopper! Running late for an event and realized you forgot to get a gift? Place a call and your concierge can run down to Tiffany & Co. and pick something out. Or (and we like this perk best), say you just can’t find a pair of shoes in your closet to go with that hot outfit, you can have a number of options at your doorstep in minutes with just a phone call. americanaatbrand.com

Entertainment Seekers

“Urban” and “energetic” are two words not normally attached to Anaheim, but big-city style has met suburban space, and the result is Stadium Lofts. The 390-unit project has brought a new way of living to the O.C.—designer lofts and condos in an energized and entertaining environment. That energy comes compliments of the Platinum Triangle. This redevelopment of Anaheim, which Stadium Lofts sits right in the middle of, is taking the pedestrian-friendly way of city life and adding in enough entertainment options to keep every weekend fresh and new. Within walking distance of the building sit tons of restaurants, cafés and shops—not to mention the Grove of Anaheim, Angels Stadium and the Honda Center.

To match this city reinvention, Stadium Lofts is taking a new approach to suburban living, where residents can live, work and play in their neighborhood, enjoying all that this developing area has to offer. That means soaking up the perfect weather poolside at the building’s main courtyard, dining at the first-floor restaurants and taking advantage of all of the other amenities Stadium Lofts has to offer (from game and fitness rooms to a swanky dry sauna). stadiumloftsnow.com

The Modern Historian

Downtown L.A. certainly is becoming the new hot spot for L.A. living, but you can still live amid some of the city’s rich tradition while in some hot new digs. The Rowan, named for its original builder, Robert A. Rowan, who had one of L.A.’s largest enterprises in the early 1900s, capitalizes on its location in the Old Bank District with its classic, simple exterior and exposed brick façade. Most of the buildings in the district represent 20th-century commercial institutions, in recent years being renovated for unique lofts with a wealth of history in the walls.

The Rowan dates back to 1911, when it housed some of the city’s most prominent law and financial offices. Today the 13-story building houses 206 beautifully restored residential units, featuring a mix of modern amenities (granite and CeasarStone counter tops) with traditional touches (mahogany window frames). Unique touches at the Rowan include a cluster of two-story units, as well as a collection of penthouse units with soaring ceiling heights. rowan-lofts.com

Water Babies

Southern California certainly has no shortage of great views, between the Hollywood Hills, mountains and expanding skylines all over town. But nothing beats the beach. And while Malibu has remained pricey even in this changing economy, Long Beach is the perfect solution for affordable marine living. The iconic International Tower offers 360-degree views up to 32 stories above sea level.

The mid-century modern Tower occupies prime real estate, sitting on a bluff at Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Drive, overlooking the ocean and offering views of the Queen Mary and Catalina Island. Particularly perfect for the nautically inclined, boat docks practically sit in the backyard, offering both convenience for boat owners and a cool photo op when sails are up. The tower features a variety of floor plans and sizes, and for the buyer with kids in tow, the famous Aquarium of the Pacific is just a short stroll down the way. itoalb.org or contact RE/MAX agent Rick McVeigh, 800-745-4100.