Twice-Moved Craftsman Offers Altadena a Blueprint for Rebuilding by Relocation

A historic Craftsman home that survived two demolition orders is now being relocated to an Altadena lot where a home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A 1910 Craftsman home that was moved twice in the past - first from East Hollywood to Los Feliz in 1948, and then from Los Feliz to Altadena in 2025 - is now being used as a model for how fire survivors can rebuild by relocating historic homes instead of constructing new ones. The home's unusual journey will be the focus of a lecture by a cultural resources specialist, who will discuss how revised historic ordinances, streamlined permitting, and coordination between local governments could help expand building relocation as a sustainable rebuilding strategy.

Why it matters

The relocation of this historic Craftsman home highlights the potential for building relocation to serve as a more sustainable alternative to new construction for fire survivors in Altadena and other communities that have suffered significant housing losses. By preserving historic character and reducing waste, building relocation could help revitalize neighborhoods while providing affordable housing options.

The details

The 3,600-square-foot, five-bedroom Craftsman home was originally built in 1910 for realtor George Marshall Duntley and may have been the former home of actress Mary Pickford. In 1948, when the home was condemned to make way for the Hollywood Freeway, the owner at the time, pioneering businesswoman Alice Blackburn, bought the home at auction for $2,800 and had it moved to a vacant lot a few miles away in Los Feliz. The move made national news, with 150 guests, including actresses Doris Day, Betty Hutton, and Dorothy Lamour, attending a candlelit party inside the rolling house. The home stood in Los Feliz for over 70 years before facing demolition again in 2025 when its lot was slated for redevelopment. Interior designer Gwen Sukeena and mechanical engineer Jacques Laramee, who had lost their Altadena home in the Eaton Fire just 10 days earlier, acquired the building and had it transported 24 miles to their empty lot on Poppyfields Drive in Altadena.

  • In 1948, the home was moved from East Hollywood to Los Feliz.
  • In August 2025, the home was moved from Los Feliz to Altadena.

The players

Alice Blackburn

A pioneering businesswoman who ran a Nash car dealership and bought the home at auction in 1948 when it was condemned to make way for the Hollywood Freeway.

Gwen Sukeena

An interior designer who, along with her partner Jacques Laramee, acquired the home in 2025 after losing their Altadena home in the Eaton Fire.

Jacques Laramee

A mechanical engineer who, along with his partner Gwen Sukeena, acquired the home in 2025 after losing their Altadena home in the Eaton Fire.

Morgan Sykes Jaybush

The creative director of Omgivning Architecture & Interiors, which launched the Historic House Relocation Project after the Eaton Fire to match homes facing demolition with families who lost properties.

Graham Larking

A cultural resources specialist with a doctorate from Harvard who will present a lecture on the home's journey and its lessons for fire survivors.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a really overwhelming experience in a very good way. We're at least able to see a little bit of light at the end of a very dark tunnel.”

— Gwen Sukeena, Interior designer (pasadenanow.com)

“It's the most sustainable way to rebuild, by not throwing an entire house into the landfill. It's also a great way to bring some historic character back to these neighborhoods which have suffered so much loss.”

— Morgan Sykes Jaybush, Creative director, Omgivning Architecture & Interiors (pasadenanow.com)

“Why couldn't we relocate houses like they used to do in the old days in L.A. when they were building the freeways? Let's find a way to relocate houses instead of throwing them into the landfill.”

— Morgan Sykes Jaybush, Creative director, Omgivning Architecture & Interiors (pasadenanow.com)

What’s next

The lecture by Graham Larking on the home's journey and its lessons for fire survivors will take place on Friday, January 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Altadena Main Library.

The takeaway

The relocation of this historic Craftsman home demonstrates the potential for building relocation to serve as a sustainable and affordable alternative to new construction for fire survivors in Altadena and other communities impacted by natural disasters. By preserving historic character and reducing waste, building relocation could help revitalize neighborhoods and provide housing options for those who have lost their homes.