Chase Knolls Garden Apartments
sherman oaks,Los Angeles, CAlifornia

Chase Knolls Garden Apartments is a garden apartment complex designed and constructed between 1947 and 1949 in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. Designed by architect Heth Wharton and architectural designer Ralph Vaughn, the complex has 21 apartment buildings containing 260 units, and numerous carports and laundry buildings. The surrounding landscape includes more than 400 trees. In 2000, Chase Knolls was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The property subsequently received a Mills Act historical property contract.

Working closely with a succession of property owners and Office of Historic Resources, Chattel developed a phased rehabilitation in compliance with requirements of the Mills Act contract, including conformance with the Secretary’s Standards. The first phase of the rehabilitation prioritized replacement of roofing materials, repair and replacement of the wood siding, painting the buildings, and maintaining the landscape. Analysis was performed by Griswold Conservation Associates to determine original paint colors, which were reproduced and applied during this phase.

Work has included developing specifications for rehabilitation, periodic construction monitoring, and community outreach, including with Los Angeles Council District 4, where Chase Knolls is located, and the Los Angeles Conservancy. Chattel also collaborated with arborist Tom Paulson, with Andre Landscape Service, to tag and geolocate all trees on site, and develop an appropriate plan for tree trimming, removal, and replacement where necessary. Six new buildings with a total of 140 additional units are planned with two under construction to provide contemporary, yet compatible new infill development.