Agents of Architecture, The Journal - Vol. 8
Happy New Year!
The San Diego real estate market continues to experience extremely low housing inventory. Homes that are presented and marketed well are getting multiple offers within days on market. We are seeing buyers relocating from all over; including Los Angeles, San Francisco and the East Coast.
Homes with design integrity are especially limited. At the time of drafting this journal piece, there is currently only designer Mid-Century Modern single family home on the market (a William Krisel in the Pacifica neighborhood of North Pacific Beach). In November 2021, there were 90 condos on the market in Downtown (which was already low), today there are only 55 active, with 71 in escrow. This is the case in many areas, where the demand is simply exceeding what’s available.
Luckily, there are still some amazing architectural properties up for grabs and we’ve selected some incredible designs for sale from all over the county. From a Historic Spanish Colonial Revival built by Thomas Kneale to a coastal modern design by Rob Wellington Quigley, architect for the Downtown San Diego Central Library.
Hope you enjoy this month’s volume.
-Agents of Architecture
1929 Spanish Colonial Revival ‘Kneale Park’ by Thomas Kneale - University Heights
Thomas Kneale, a brick contractor, moved to San Diego in 1886 during a vital period in the city’s development. Kneale took advantage of the growing local economy, quickly getting opportunities to do the mason work on some of the then largest buildings in the city.
Situated on .54 acres, this walled, private Spanish compound is perfect for entertaining with its ample yard and patios, in-ground heated pool and spa, a waterfall koi pond, herb and rose gardens, fruit trees and aviary.
Del Prado by William Krisel - Bankers Hill
Overlooking Balboa Park, Del Prado is walking distance to the shops & cafes of Bankers Hill, and was recently awarded with Historic Designation and Mills Act approval. Directly across the street is the Marston House, designed by renowned local architects William Hebbard and Irving Gill.
With Dan Palmer, William Krisel formed Palmer & Krisel architects. Krisel designed more than 30,000 homes throughout Southern California; the total number of houses and condominiums designed by the firm probably exceeds 40,000. He frequently collaborated with the Alexander Construction Company. By the late 1950’s, he and Palmer were working with 7 out of the 10 largest homebuilders in America.
Krisel designed the iconic Del Prado condominium tower for San Diego developer Bill Starr.
Coastal Modern by Rob Wellington Quigley - Del Mar
Immersed in nature among the sandstone bluff & Torrey Pine giants, this private ocean view artful modern home offers serenity & luxury finishes.
In 2005, the AIA California Council presented Rob with the coveted Maybeck Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in architectural design as expressed in a body of work produced by an individual architect.
Other notable works of Quigley include the San Diego Central Library, New Children's Museum, and San Diego Fire Stations No. 2 & No. 5.
Soap Factory Loft at CityFont Terrace by Milford Wayne Donaldson - Downtown, Marina District
Within this Downtown landmark is the award-winning Urban Canyon – a central garden overflowing with oak trees, lush greenery, rose bushes, and a serene waterfall monument.
Wayne Donaldson has received several awards in preservation architecture including the California Council of the American Institute of Architects Award of Excellence and the Historic Preservation Award, and the 1996 Preservationist of the Year Award from the California Preservation Foundation. He served as a member of the Preserve America Summit “Determining What’s Important” committee.
Modern by W. Wayne Collins - Fallbrook
This property is a Design Excellence Award Winner from San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine.
An architect since 1976, Collins has won numerous design awards earning him a reputation for projects and designs that leave a lasting impression. Understanding that people spend numerous hours in their homes, and because the physical characteristics of the places in which people live influences their outlook, attitudes, ideas, and feelings, Collins sees a great responsibility to design structures that are a positive and uplifting force in the lives of the people that live in them.
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