971 SAN PASCUAL AVE

In 1998, Alain Betrancourt, a cinematographer, welder, carpenter, and chef acquired the 27,000 square foot lot at 971 San Pascual Avenue. The next 24 years was a relentless dedication to preserving, constructing and restoring this Highland Park compound/retreat into something out of a Whitman poem. The result is a flourishing natural ecosystem with multiple residences, a workshop, a tree house, a movable tiny-home encased in stainless steel, a wine cellar, an outdoor river rock fireplace and over 150 carefully selected trees and fauna. The main residence offers the user a flexibility to create interdependent living quarters, studio spaces and a commercial grade kitchen depending on the needs at the time. The compound has been featured in publications, over 60 commercial shoots and has entertained countless guests from around the world. Much of the magic at 971 San Pascual stems from Mr. Betrancourt's love of architecture and nature which can be felt in how the residences are situated alongside the permaculture and native wildlife. Each structure has been poured over with engineer-like precision paying homage to the old-world craftsmanship of the property's original owner, John C. Pfaucht (a builder with Greene & Greene who built the original bungalow for himself in 1923) with attention to privacy and sight-lines. The grounds are park-like and woodsy with a variety of fruit trees, leafy greens and herbs thriving around each bend of the many walking paths. Mr. Betrancourt's French sensibility around the importance of seasonality, high quality organic food and the company of others literally guided his hands to cultivate a communal farm to table lifestyle that is ready to be enjoyed by the next steward of 971 San Pascual Avenue.