UNIVERSAL APPLIANCE AND KITCHEN CENTER AND PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA
Palos Verdes Estates, situated on the stunning Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, California, is a city renowned for its natural beauty and carefully crafted urban design. The name “Palos Verdes” translates to “Green Trees” in Spanish, accurately depicting the lush, coastal landscape that defines this community along the Pacific Ocean.
Designed by the esteemed American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., Palos Verdes Estates exemplifies meticulous planning and a profound commitment to preserving its natural surroundings. It’s a place where thoughtful development harmoniously blends with the breathtaking coastal environment.
Established as a planned community in 1923, Palos Verdes Estates occupies 3,200 acres of the former Rancho Palos Verdes property. Frank Vanderlip played a pivotal role in its development, establishing a land syndicate and a real estate development trust. Stringent restrictions governed the development, dedicating half of the land to communal use, including parks and roads, while mandating the creation of amenities such as bridle paths and a golf course. These restrictions also included bans on nuisance businesses, bars, and cemeteries. Regrettably, racial covenants were in place until 1948, forbidding non-white individuals from owning or renting property in the city. Fortunately, these discriminatory restrictions were eventually declared unconstitutional, leading to the enactment of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.
The city’s design, overseen by Olmsted Jr. and Charles Cheney, involved the meticulous use of deed restrictions to regulate architectural styles, materials, and even details like building color. Fences and hedges also required approval from an art jury.
Noteworthy historical landmarks in Palos Verdes Estates include La Venta Inn, dating back to 1923, serving originally as a sales office. The Malaga Cove Plaza, designed by architect Myron Hunt, is home to the Palos Verdes Public Library and earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Palos Verdes Estates boasts its own police department, distinct from neighboring peninsula cities, which contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The city’s police force comprises 25 officers assigned to various divisions, ensuring residents’ safety. Additionally, the city maintains its own dispatch center and jail, both operational around the clock.
Fire prevention and paramedic response services are provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, with firehouse facilities strategically located within the city limits.
