First Post-Wildfire Home in Pacific Palisades Burn Scar Lists for $14 Million

A five-bedroom home at 837 Muskingum Avenue in the Pacific Palisades, situated within the area devastated by the January 2025 wildfires, has been listed for sale at $13.99 million. This property is one of 14 new dwellings being developed by Alison White of Alison White Homes in the affected neighborhood. Ryan Jancula, the listing broker from Compass, stated that the street where the house is located largely survived the inferno.

Eight of the 14 homes are currently under construction, described as "well underway," with the remaining six in the design and permitting phases. The Muskingum Avenue property is the only speculative build among the 14 and the first to be completed, having secured its permits before the wildfires. White indicated that the other homes are being built for individual homeowners, aiming to help them return to their residences.

Of the 14 properties, eleven owners lost their homes in the fires, and two others purchased burned-out properties to build new homes. The Muskingum Avenue house was constructed on a vacant lot because the previous home had been demolished a month prior to the fires, inadvertently acting as a firebreak that saved the surrounding neighborhood. Jancula noted that areas below the lot burned, while areas above were spared.

According to the Palisadian-Post's Pali Rebuild Map, over 1,100 new homes have commenced construction in the Palisades, but only 43 have received a post-wildfire certificate of occupancy. Jancula described the Muskingum listing as "the first residence of its caliber to be offered for sale since the fires," with an option for the home to be sold fully furnished.

The listing aims to appeal to those displaced by the wildfires who may be seeking a quicker return to homeownership without the complexities of permits and construction. The home features amenities such as a whole-house sprinkler system and fire-safe vents.

Inside, the 6,511-square-foot residence boasts a chef's kitchen with a 60-inch range, a custom wet bar, and a walk-in pantry. The main bedroom suite includes a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, a walk-in closet, and a spa-like bathroom. Additional features include a home theater, an upstairs laundry room, and a three-car garage. The interiors were curated by Annette Tatum Design and staged in partnership with Serena & Lily.

The exterior offers an infinity pool, a wellness deck with a sauna and cold plunge, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire pit. The property's proximity to Palisades Village, which has achieved 99% leasing capacity after reopening, is seen as a positive indicator for the community's recovery.

Despite the progress, the rebuilding process faces challenges. Jancula mentioned ongoing issues with water supply, referencing the Santa Ynez Reservoir's fluctuating availability. He also highlighted the psychological toll on residents who have lost homes they lived in for decades, emphasizing the emotional difficulty of choosing a new place to live after such a loss.

On a lower price point, two other properties within the burn scar are also entering the market: 744 Iliff Street for $4.99 million and 605 Erskine Drive for $4.29 million. The Erskine home was the first property purchased post-fire and subsequently rebuilt as a speculative build.