Lakeside Villas Townhomes was initially constructed in 1974 on the old Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio's back lot.
Films such as "Gone with the
Wind"
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The 240 unit complex was completed in two phases. The first phase in 1974 and the second phase in 1976.
Lakeside Villas is a townhome development consisting of 10 buildings, each containing 24 units ranging in size from two bedrooms, 1-3/4 baths to three bedrooms and convertible den, 2-3/4 baths. The grounds include several running streams and a man made lake. There are also 3 swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a club house, saunas, exercise room and 24 hour security at the entrance. Monthly Homeowner Association dues Include most exterior maintenance, some fire Insurance, gas, water, use of the recreational facilities and common areas, and reserve contribution. The schools are El Ricon Elementary, Culver Middle School, and Culver High School.
Today the lake provides a public service to the County of Los Angeles by the breading of Mosquito Fish. It also is the home of many very large Cat Fish.
Culver City History
Culver City, The Heart of Screenland Harry Culver, a Nebraska transplant, studied the area
for a year, and announced his plans for Culver City at the California Club in 1913. The
location was perfect, halfway between the growing “pueblo of Los Angeles” and
the resort of Venice. It stretched along a railway line for transportation and La Ballona
Creek and offered a pleasant breeze in this already temperate climate.
Culver watched Thomas Ince filming a scene with painted Indians in canoes along La Ballona
Creek, and determined the economic base for Culver City. In 1915, The landmark Colonnade
was constructed on Washington Boulevard as the ceremonial entrance to Ince/Triangle
studios, which later became Goldwyn, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lorimar, Columbia Studios, now
Sony Pictures Studios. It grew to six lots, more than 180 acres at one time and was one of
the three major studios in Culver City. The movie industry’s importance is reflected
on the city seal, adopted in the 1930’s, which calls Culver City The Heart of
Screenland. The Culver Studios, now a part of the Sony Pictures Entertainment family, was
Ince’s second studio in the city, and was known over the years as Ince Studios, De
Mille, RKO, Pathe, Selznick, Desilu, Laird International, and GMT’s Culver Studios.
Although Hal Roach Studios, often called “the Laugh Factory to the World”,
ceased operations in 1963, its importance was noted as the 100 year old Mr. Roach acted as
Honorary Chairman for Culver City’s 75th Anniversary Committee in 1992.
This land where peaceful Gabrielino Indians created intricate baskets, became Agustin
Machado’s Rancho La Ballona and combined with part of Rancho Rincon de Los Bueyes
they gave way to Harry Culver’s dream of a balanced community. Culver City,
incorporated in 1917, became a Charter City in 1947. It has grown from its original 1.2
square miles to just short of 5.0 square miles and boasts a population of more than 38,000
residents, who are a “microcosm of the real world”.
Culver City’s decision makers include a 5-member elected City Council. Other elected
officials are the City Clerk, City Treasurer, and a 5-member Board of Education. Culver
City is a part of the Culver Judicial Court District, with two elected Municipal Judges as
well.
The importance of the business community has been evident from its beginning, with local
business responsible for 65% of the city’s general fund revenue. The Culver City
Redevelopment Agency, effected its first major project in 1975, the Fox Hills Mall- which
became the highest grossing mall for its size in the country. The Chamber of Commerce has
supported the city since the 1920’s to strengthen the economic base necessary for the
active, vital community we are proud to call Culver City.