Manhattan Beach founder’s house demolished for condos
A house belonging to one of the city’s founders came down on Apr. 1. Photo
A house built by one of the city’s founders almost a century ago was demolished on April 1 to make way for new condominiums.
Matt Morris Development bought the house on the corner of Alma Avenue and 27th Street off-market in 2014 from descendants of George Peck, a former railroad conductor who developed much of the north side of town.
An effort to save the building failed in April after those interested in saving it couldn’t come to an agreement over where to move it and a majority of the city council voted not to pursue moving it.
Peck’s house viewed from Alma Avenue. Photo
“I don’t know if it’s progress or a lack of knowledge,” said Jan Dennis, who first asked the council to save the house with Realtor Tim McGuire, and is a local expert on the town’s history, on the day the house was razed.
As a bulldozer tore down the yellow building that Friday afternoon, people drove by peering out the windows of their cars.
“It’s amazing how quickly that came down,” said one woman.
An old television could be seen sticking out of the rubble.
The historical plaque on the steps that led to the house and identified it as, “George Peck’s summer house 2620 Alma c. 1920,” was gone. ER