The East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC) is seeking applicants to take on the rehabilitation project of a 130-year-old house at the corner of 1st and Soto streets in Boyle Heights.
The blue Victorian, named the Peabody Werden House, has been sitting in disrepair on a Metro-owned plot since 2016, when it was moved from its original location across the street. The two-story wood frame structure was cleared to make room for Cielito Lindo Apartments, a 50-unit ELACC property.
Plans to turn the 1890s building into a community center were considered, but not much ever came from the idea. ELACC hopes its call for renovation proposals will change that, as the boarded-up building has become an eyesore surrounded by a barren landscape.
The rehabilitation is expected to cost around $3.2 million and will need new plumbing, electrical systems, a new roof and landscaping among other renovations, according to the nonprofit developer.
“It’s a historic, beautiful building that’s worth saving,” said ELACC President Monica Mejia. “It means a lot to the community, so we hope whoever takes on the project can find a way to give it a new life and become a community-serving space.”
Mejia says the nonprofit developer is looking for proposals that include community services, preferably from entities with a history of work in underserved communities like Boyle Heights and East L.A. ELACC will either stay on the project and collaborate with the chosen operator or fully hand off the reins to the Peabody Werden House, Mejia shared.
The deadline for proposals is Aug. 1, with a final decision on the chosen applicant by the end of September. Applicants will be evaluated by a soon-to-be-formed selection committee that will include at least one person with historic preservation expertise, a community member, along with ELACC and Metro staff members.
Construction on the building is expected to start in 2026, and operations would resume in 2027.
Submissions must include the following:
- Cover page and letter of introduction
- Evidence of applicant’s financial capability
- Financial analysis of the proposal
- Qualifications related to construction capacity
- Community and stakeholder engagement plan
- Renovation and community- serving programming plans
- Project timeline and letter of intent (desired lease)
ELACC’s full request for proposals is available here. Interested applicants can email rfp@elacc.org.
