From Los Angeles Business Journal · Hannah Welk · · 2m
Who's Who in Real Estate: The Rebuilders
Real estate leaders in post-fire Altadena and Pacific Palisades face slow rebuilding due to insurance and permitting delays.
In brief
Real estate leaders in post-fire Altadena and Pacific Palisades face slow rebuilding due to insurance and permitting delays. Two years after L.A. firestorms, only 254 new homes completed in Altadena despite 9,419 destroyed. Originally reported by Los Angeles Business Journal.
Rebuilding Pace
Two years after L.A. firestorms, only 254 new homes completed in Altadena despite 9,419 destroyed.
Permit Delays
City of Los Angeles now issues Palisades permits in less than two months versus six or seven months before the fire.
Insurance Challenges
Nearly half of fire survivors lost or will lose insurance for temporary housing, with two-thirds displaced.
Cityview's Genesis Builders
Cityview's Genesis Builders guarantees fixed prices and one-year construction schedules for Altadena rebuilds.
Thomas James Homes
Thomas James Homes guarantees price and timing for Palisades rebuilds with 40 customers underway.
Investor Activity
Investors bought 40% of vacant lots sold in Palisades, Altadena and Malibu in Q3 2025.
SB 1090 Pause
Gov. Newsom signed SB 1090 in September, pausing high-density development in Altadena for three years.
Palisades Village
Rick Caruso reopened Palisades Village on August 15 after $100 million restoration.
City Councilmember Raman
City Councilmember Nithya Raman accused Mayor Bass of failing to appoint reconstruction oversight.
Cityview CEO Sean Burton
Sean Burton, Cityview CEO, said Altadena recovery is slower than expected with 254 homes completed out of 9,419 destroyed.
Thomas James CEO Steve Schlageter
Steve Schlageter, Thomas James CEO, has 40 Palisades customers working on rebuilds with guaranteed pricing.
Beverly Hills Estates
Beverly Hills Estates launched Palisades Estates after fire with 120 agents and $1.6 billion sales.
West End Construction
West End Construction focuses on Altadena rebuilds with four homes underway and ADU projects.
Rebuild Challenges
Insurance delays and permitting issues are the biggest obstacles to rebuilding in post-fire neighborhoods.
Market Shifts
The market is a salesperson’s market with buyers overpriced listings and sellers struggling to find homes.
Future Outlook
Rebuilds will accelerate as insurance coverage stabilizes and construction permits clear.
The key point
Two years after L.A. firestorms, only 254 new homes completed in Altadena despite 9,419 destroyed.
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