In her Hollywood job, Carolyn Lawrence lives in a home under the sea. So does her friend, who takes up residence in a pineapple. But on land, in a real world filled with figuratively underwater homes, Lawrence – who provides the voice of squirrel Sandy Cheeks on the popular TV cartoon “SpongeBob SquarePants” – recently partnered with a long-time local real estate agent to sell, buy and renovate homes for clients throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles. Lawrence, a home renovation and construction buff, and realtor Becky Richards of Bill Toth & Associates, launched their partnership about six months ago. Richards was Lawrence’s real estate agent for years as she purchased, renovated and sold several properties in Burbank and the Hollywood Hills. But now, they are working together for their clients, helping investors identify, buy, renovate and flip properties. Since joining forces, the duo has averaged about one or two escrows per month, they said. Lawrence, who is also a realtor, said there are options for potential investors who thought they couldn’t afford to jump into real estate, including using their self-directed IRA. Richards said the two are able to draw upon each other’s talents in order to provide value to clients. “I am typically in the dress writing the contract, and Carolyn (has) the belt on with the hammer and nails,” Richards said. New school for Burbank A bruising development battle in Burbank’s equestrian Rancho neighborhood appears to be winding down. After facing community opposition to its plan to transform the former General Motor’s training site into a residential community, Santa Monica-based New Urban West Inc. has agreed to sell the property to a local school. The Lycee International de Los Angeles has entered escrow to purchase the five-acre Riverside Drive property. The deal is expected to close in June. The bilingual school plans to move its Los Feliz junior high and high school to the five-acre Burbank site, while lower grades will stay in Los Feliz. The new campus would house 220 students and could grow to 350 in ten years, the school said. “All the kids are just so excited and one of the things that excited them is to have their own place without the little ones,” said school trustee Iain Whyte. The new building will roughly triple the space available to junior high and high school students, he said. The Santa Monica-based developer trimmed its original plan for 120 condominiums to 50 single-family homes in February, but many residents still opposed the project fearing it would still threaten the Rancho’s equestrian character. If the escrow falls through, New Urban said it will continue seeking entitlements for its proposed single-family home community. Because the GM site is zoned for office and commercial uses, New Urban needs a zone change for its project. The school does not need such approval, but still requires other less involved city approvals, according to city staff. And so far, the community appears to be largely receptive to the school’s plan. The school plans to bring the building up to code by installing more women’s bathrooms, providing access for disabled individuals and converting several garage doors into bay windows, Whyte said. The school will then begin moving students into the building, although a time-frame has not been set. In addition to Los Feliz, the Lycee International de Los Angeles has campuses in Pasadena, Tarzana and Orange County. Automotive firms make Chatsworth their home Chatsworth is about to get two new automotive companies. Boulder Electric Vehicle has signed a long-term lease for 27,955 square feet at 9655 Irondale Ave. The Colorado-based company will use the Chatsworth site to manufacture electric vehicles, said Senior Vice President Scott Caswell of Delphi Business Properties. Also in Chatsworth, the award-winning automotive company behind the ICON and TLC car brands signed a 5-year lease for 36,000 square feet at 9601 Lurline Ave. CEO Jonathan Ward said the custom vehicle manufacturer outgrew the firm’s current 12,500 square-foot Van Nuys location that is spread across three buildings. “We kind of have to dodge around other tenants which means it’s like a deluxe hamster habit trail,” Ward said. The auto firm has already begun to move and hopes to be operational with its 21 employees in Chatsworth by May. Caswell represented both landlords in the deals. Ben Stapleton of Jones Lang LaSalle represented Boulder Electric Vehicle, and George Stavaris of Triniti Partners represented Ward’s auto company. “Both of these new tenants represent a new line of industry coming to Chatsworth with new jobs and growth for the area,” Caswell said in an email. Staff Reporter Andrew Khouri can be reached at [email protected]. or at (818) 316-3124
