Vinecrest Subdivision

March 20, 2026

If they build it, they will come...

On Sunday March 22, 1925, Maurice G. Luxford, a real estate agent, who recently started his own company, put an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times looking for sales agents.  "Vinecrest: Highly restricted hillside property on Vine Street".  The new subdivision was laid out roughly between Alcyona Drive, El Contento Drive, and Creston Drive, with nearby streets like Riconia Drive also part of the same hillside fabric.  These roads were newly cut into steep terrain, often following the natural contours of the hills rather than a strict grid.  Lots were typically irregular and terraced, designed to maximize views rather than uniformity.  Homes built in Vinecrest during 1925–1926 reflected the dominant revival styles of the era.  The most common design was of the Spanish Colonial Revival, followed by Mediterranean/Italianite Villas and an occasional Tudor Revival.  Typical Features included: stucco walls, red tile roofs, arched windows and doors, and balconies and terraces oriented towards canyon or city views.  All of the following residences are all intact today!

Above the corner of El Contento and Quebec Drives,  2400 El Contento Drive was the sales office which was erected in 1924.  Across the street is where the Double Indemnity house would be built in 1927.  The original building of the Vinecrest sales office consisted of only four rooms.  On the hill between the two roads a giant letter "V" was placed which lit up across the city at night.

Below: (Photo 1): Approaching the corner of Alcyona and El Contento Drives; 2266 & 2244 Alcyona Drive houses both built in 1924.  (Photo 2): Front of 2244 Alcyona Drive, built by architect Harley S. Bradley.  (Photo 3): Back of 2244 Alcyona Drive.  (Photo 4): 2266 Alcyona Drive is to the west of 2244 Alcyona Drive, which was built by architect Harry McAfee.

Below: 2315 Alcyona Drive built in 1924 by architect E. Albert Nelson.  2200 Alcyona Drive built in 1924 by Harley S. Bradley.

Below: 2294 Alcyona Drive built in 1924 by architect William Kerr.

Below: From left to right, 2569, 2565 and 2547 Creston Way all built by architect Theo Scott in 1926..  Photos 3 through 5 are 2547 Creston Way.

For the next several years lots were sold and houses were erected in the area.  The Vinecrest sales office was no longer needed and was sold as a single family residence circa 1927 and expanded in size throughout the years.