The Peabody Werden Duplex Move

On June 30, 2016 the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) took the next step in its preservation efforts of the ca. 1890 Peabody Werden Duplex in Boyle Heights by relocating it to the other side of the street.

The Peabody Werden House is a two-unit, two-story residential property in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Constructed ca. 1890, the House is one of the oldest and few remaining examples of a turn-of-the-century duplex residential property composed in the Queen Anne style. It was found to be individually eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) in 2001 as part of a historic resources survey for the Los Angeles Metro Authority’s Los Angeles Eastside Corridor Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Neighborhood Participation

Many community members came out to watch the move.

During the Move

The Peabody Werden house was jacked up and strapped to steel beams on hydraulic rollers.

On the move...

The Peabody Werden House moved across the street.

Something you don't see every day

Crowds gathered to watch the 121-year old house pass across the street.

Page & Turnbull was hired early on to study the feasibility of relocating the sizable duplex. Though it would be challenging, due to the sheer size of the house, Page & Turnbull concluded that relocation was indeed possible. Page & Turnbull was then further retained to prepare permit drawings to relocate the house to a receiver site across the street. The Duplex was moved intact, following removal of non-contributing additions to the rear of the property.

The relocation of the historically significant building was required as part of ELACC’s Cielito Lindo affordable housing development. Future rehabilitation and reuse of the Peabody Werden Duplex will occur as part of a separate development, the Soto Station Joint Development project, which is being developed by ELACC in partnership with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and is currently in Entitlements Phase.

Timelapse

Other press

121-year-old Peabody Werden house moved across the street in Boyle Heights on 89.3 KPCC
After 121 years, Boyle Heights home gets a change of scenery — across the street, Los Angeles Times
1895 Boyle Heights House to Be Moved to New Location, Preserved, Curbed Los Angeles
Why did the Boyle Heights Victorian cross the road? The Eastsider

East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) is a non-profit organization building grassroots leadership, affordable housing, self-sufficiency and access to economic development opportunities for families in Boyle Heights and unincorporated East Los Angeles.