Victorian Homes Saved From Demolition

Two Victorian houses slated for demolition were moved six blocks to a new location by community members working to preserve the historic area.

A Buddhist temple, which owned the vacant houses on Figueroa Street, was going to tear down the homes to build a parking lot. Residents protested, saying the turn-of-the-century structures have historic value.

Resident John Nese, who owns a grocery store, offered to buy the 2 1/2-story house and guest cottage and move the buildings to a nearby empty lot. The temple agreedsold the structures to Nese for $1.

As residents watched, the houses were lugged through the streets Thursday to their new site on Avenue 53, where they will be refurbished and sold as affordable housing.

“This was a win-win-win situation,” said Nicole Possert, president of the Highland Park Heritage Trust. “The temple has its parking lot, the community doesn’t lose historic resources and this very large lot was prevented from inappropriate development.”

This was not the first trip for the old homes. In 1906, they were moved from downtown to make room for a shopping center.