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Historic House Relocation Project
Across Los Angeles County, we’re rescuing historic houses slated for demolition and relocating them to properties in fire-affected areas like Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. This initiative is a powerful way to retain the great character of our local neighborhoods, help families rebuild their futures, and keep quality buildings out of landfills.
The Mission
Preserving the Past. Rebuilding the Future.
Every year, Los Angeles loses countless homes rich with history, craftsmanship, and cultural character. Many of these houses, though not formally designated historic landmarks, tell the story of our city’s architectural past.
The Historic House Relocation Project is changing that narrative. We identify historic and near-historic houses slated for demolition and give them new purpose by relocating the structures to lots where families are rebuilding after the recent California wildfires. Each relocation preserves irreplaceable architecture, reduces landfill waste, and provides families with a home that carries history and heart.
This initiative is led by Omgivning Architecture & Interiors, in partnership with preservation advocates, engineers, and community builders dedicated to protecting Los Angeles’ legacy while supporting its future.
How It Works
Step 1 : Identify
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We collaborate with developers, property owners, and city agencies to identify houses at risk of demolition, specifically those with architectural character, craftsmanship, or historical value.
Step 2 : Relocate
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Once a house is selected, our team, alongside expert partners like Dinuba House Movers, American Heavy Moving, and Nous Engineering, carefully prepares, lifts, and transports the structure to a new, permanent site. These sites are often located in communities where the house can begin its next chapter.
Step 3 : Rebuild
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After relocation, each house undergoes a thoughtful process of restoration and rehabilitation. We build new, code-compliant foundations, update systems, and make sensitive adaptations to suit each family’s needs. This ensures the house retains its original character while becoming safe and livable once again.
Step 4 : Rehome
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Finally, the restored house is matched with a new owner, someone ready to continue its story and bring new life, meaning, and care to a structure once destined for demolition.
Why It Matters
Relocating a house is more than a historic gesture; it's an environmental act of stewardship. Each structure we save carries decades of craftsmanship, materials, and embodied energy that would otherwise be lost to demolition. By moving and restoring these houses, we significantly reduce landfill waste, avoid the carbon costs of new construction, and preserve the quality materials already invested in their walls and foundations.
This thoughtful approach reflects Omgivning’s mission of adaptive reuse, proving that progress and preservation can coexist beautifully. Each relocated house becomes a living example of circular design, showing how what already exists can become the foundation for what comes next.
Get Involved
Preserving Los Angeles’ architectural heritage is a shared effort. Every house we save begins with someone who chooses to act: a property owner willing to transfer a structure once destined for demolition, or a landowner ready to welcome a relocated house and give it new purpose. Your participation transforms what could be a loss into a legacy.
If you’re ready to get involved, there are two main ways to join the movement:
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If you own land and would like to give a historic house a second life, fill out the form below to share details about your property. We’ll review your submission and reach out when there’s a house that may be a good match.
Transfer a House for Relocation
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If you’re planning new construction and have a house slated for demolition, consider transferring the structure to us instead. We facilitate the transfer for a nominal fee (e.g., $1.00) using a legal agreement. By doing so, you’ll help save an important piece of Los Angeles’ architectural story and contribute to a more sustainable city.
Together, we can turn potential losses into lasting legacies. Interested in volunteering? Please email our team at HouseRelocation@Omgivning.com
