A major milestone has been reached in Pacific Palisades. The first home rebuilt after the Los Angeles wildfires has been completed. The moment has been marked as a sign of progress for a community that has faced deep loss. Less than a year ago, the Palisades fire swept through the area. Nearly 7,000 structures were destroyed. Across Los Angeles, about 13,000 homes were lost during the Palisades and Eaton fires. Many families are still waiting to return.
The Home That Was Celebrated
The rebuilt home sits in Pacific Palisades. It was finished in under a year after the fire. A certificate of occupancy was issued by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. This meant the home passed inspection and was approved for people to move in.
The home that was completed is much larger than the one that was lost. The previous house was a 1,600-square-foot ranch-style home. It was destroyed in January. The new structure now includes:
-
four bedrooms
-
4.5 bathrooms
-
almost 4,000 square feet of living space
This rebuild has been treated as a proof point. It has shown that recovery, though slow, is moving forward.
Fire-Resistant Features Were Added
Extra safety steps were included in the new build. These upgrades were designed to reduce risk in future fires.
Closed eaves were installed to block embers from entering small openings. Plumbing was also pre-installed for a possible fire-defense system. If that system is added later, water and fire retardant could be sprayed over the home when flames get close.
These features were not added for comfort alone. They were added because the reality of wildfire risk has become impossible to ignore.
Rebuilding Is Happening, But at Different Speeds
Rebuilding has been moving at an uneven pace across neighborhoods. Some projects are already nearing completion. Others are still waiting for permits or construction slots.
In the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, nearly 2,000 rebuilding permits have been issued. Around 340 projects are currently under construction in Pacific Palisades alone. In total, more than 2,500 full rebuilding applications were filed. About 1,100 permits have been approved so far.
This shows steady movement, but also highlights the scale of what remains unfinished.
A Community Tour Will Be Held
A grand opening is scheduled for 6 December. The community is expected to be invited to tour the home. This event is being framed as more than a housewarming. It is being treated as a shared moment of hope.
For many residents, the rebuild is not just a private milestone. It is a public reminder that recovery is possible.
Another Small Win in Altadena
Progress has also been reported outside Pacific Palisades. In Altadena, a two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit was recently certified for occupancy. The new ADU is about 630 square feet. It replaced a garage that was destroyed in the Eaton fire.
Unlike many homes in the area, the main residence on that property survived. Still, the ADU rebuild has been seen as another step forward in a long recovery process.
This first rebuilt home does not erase the pain of what was lost. Thousands are still displaced, and many holidays will be spent away from home. But a visible start has now been made.
Progress is being measured one permit, one foundation, and one finished house at a time. For Pacific Palisades, this home is being viewed as a symbol. Recovery is still hard, but it is no longer only a plan on paper. It is being built into real walls again.
Source: The Guardian, source.
