Mar Vista on the Westside of Los Angeles is growing in popularity—sending real estate prices upward.
For many years, the western Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista has been a relatively unknown pocket of the city—one that you could drive through on your way to the beach and not know its name. Filled with single-family homes and a suburban feel, there was little reason for those who didn’t live in Mar Vista to traverse its tree-lined streets.
Since the early 2000s, however, Mar Vista has begun to appear on the map, figuratively and quite literally—the area became an official neighborhood in 2006. Today, the three-square-mile enclave is considered one of the best places to buy real estate on the Westside, showcased by a rapid rise in prices.
Developed by Wylan / James Development, this new build represents the pinnacle of Mar Vista luxury ... [+]
Located in prime positioning between Venice and Culver City, and on the outskirts of so-called Silicon Beach, it is a wonder it took so long for Mar Vista to gain its newfound popularity. That being said, relative anonymity has served the area well, preserving its mellow, family-friendly atmosphere.
The demand for Mar Vista properties has, in part, been fueled by increasing prices in nearby Santa Monica and Venice, says luxury real estate specialist Paul Salazar of Beverly Hills-based Hilton & Hyland. “The same thing that happened in Cheviot Hills, which saw a huge price increase because of spillover from Beverly Hills, is now happening in Mar Vista. Santa Monica and Venice are pricier areas, so buyers are looking to Mar Vista where they can find more options and more space.”
Priced at $6.495 million, the listing is one of most expensive in Mar Vista.
With more buyers’ eyes on Mar Vista than ever before, the neighborhood is also gaining attention from residential and commercial developers whose new additions are turning the once-drive-through area into something of a destination.
Living in Mar Vista
A construction boom throughout the 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of single-family home neighborhoods in Mar Vista that remain today. As such, the area has long been associated with its supply of midcentury modern homes and craftsman bungalows sitting on sizable lots of about 5,000 square feet, with exceptional properties even covering as much as 16,000 square feet.
However, as real estate in Mar Vista has quickly caught the attention of a wealthier demographic of buyers, new construction homes are on the rise, says Salazar. “Developers have gotten wise to this new wave of buyers in Mar Vista and they’re replacing some of these older teardowns with new builds.”
Many of these newly developed properties rival the best of the Westside of Los Angeles, featuring the same high-end finishes and luxury amenities found in the most affluent parts of town. Like many neighborhoods undergoing a modernization of real estate supply, Mar Vista’s new properties distinguish themselves with unique architecture from the city’s top designers.
Home prices in Mar Vista
Perhaps nowhere else in Los Angeles showcases better how an individual neighborhood market can change in a matter of a few years than Mar Vista.
A five-bedroom turnkey home in Mar Vista priced at $4.395 million.
“Before 2018, there were no sales for over $4 million. Since then, there have been 43 sales for over $4 million, nine of which were over $5 million,” says Salazar, whose listing for a brand new ultraluxe home by developer Wylan / James Development is positioned to be the one of the highest sales in Mar Vista history if sold for the asking price of $6.495 million.
“If you go back 20 years ago, the median sales price in Mar Vista was just under $600,000. Now it’s $2 million. That’s a 232% increase, which is a remarkable jump.”
Mar Vista Farmers Market in Los Angeles, California.
That percentage in comparison to the 133% increase in median home prices in Los Angeles County highlights just how considerable the appetite for Mar Vista real estate is.
For the median price, buyers can expect to find newly built townhomes and older single-family homes.
The vibe in Mar Vista
Suburban in feel, Mar Vista mainly consists of quiet residential streets. As such, the area has attracted many young families in search of a safe neighborhood with nearby access to more bustling areas.
Venice High School in Venice, California.
That being said, more businesses are moving to Mar Vista—in particular, a wave of new, well-received restaurants have Los Angeles foodies abuzz.
The Santa Monica City Council recently voted to begin plans for the conversion of the Santa Monica Airport into a public park akin to Central Park. The 227-acre parcel of land runs along the western border of Mar Vista meaning many residents would have walkable access to the potential landmark.
Schools in Mar Vista
Students attending public schools are served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. Public schools in this part of town include three elementary schools and a middle school. High school students hop over to nearby Venice High School.
Windward School, considered one of the best private high schools in the city, is located on Palm Boulevard on the western end of Mar Vista.
View from Santa Monica Boulevard and the Palisades Park in Los Angeles California USA
Surrounding Mar Vista
Within roughly 10 minutes, residents of Mar Vista can find themselves on the sands of Venice Beach or in the heart of downtown Culver City. Santa Monica Pier is about five miles northwest or roughly a 15-minute drive.
Depending on traffic, Los Angeles International Airport can be as short as 20 minutes away by car.
Thanks to the proximity to Interstate 10, downtown Los Angeles is easily accessible and can be reached in as little as 20 minutes.