The Highland Park ADU
Garage conversion · NELA · 480 sqft · 14 weeks
the assignment
A Highland Park couple wanted to convert their detached 1940s garage into a long-term rental that pencils. The trick was getting real ceiling height and real daylight out of a 480 sqft box, inside a Highland Park HPOZ that watches the alley side as carefully as the street.
Spec sheet —
- Insulation
- Closed-cell at roof deck, R-30
- Heat
- Mitsubishi single-zone heat pump
- Range
- Bertazzoni 24" induction
- Floor
- Engineered white oak, 5"
- Permits
- LADBS 24016-20000-02218 + HPOZ-2024-712
Challenges
- Existing slab below current code
- Low ceilings inside the original garage
- Highland Park HPOZ — alley-facing changes still get OHR review
Solutions
- Slab tested + topped with insulated overlay, hydronic-ready
- Vaulted to the ridge, exposed rafters, two flush skylights to keep the roofline clean
- Layout pushed all plumbing to one wall — no envelope changes visible from the alley
Timeline
14 weeks · 5 milestones · 2025
- Week 1–3Jun 2
Permits, demo, slab prep
- Week 4–6Jun 23milestone
Re-frame ceiling, skylights, rough MEP
- Week 7–9Jul 14
Insulation, drywall, paint
- Week 10–12Aug 4
Cabinets, tile, finish MEP
- Week 13–14Aug 25milestone
Appliances, final inspection, rent-ready
“It rented in 48 hours. We're already planning the second one.”
Highland Park · ADU · FAQ
The Highland Park ADU — frequently asked
Where exactly is the The Highland Park ADU adu?
Garage conversion · NELA, Highland Park. We protect exact addresses for privacy — neighborhood and city are public, the street is shared only with serious clients during reference calls. See more recent California work.
How long did the The Highland Park ADU adu take?
14 weeks on-site (about 3 months) plus the design and permit phases that ran in parallel before construction. Garage-to-ADU conversion. Vaulted the ceiling, two skylights, ductless heat pump, full kitchen. The full sequence is on the process page.
What was the biggest challenge on the The Highland Park ADU build?
Existing slab below current code We document them in the field journal so the next owner avoids them.
Can I get a adu like The Highland Park ADU built in my California city?
Yes — most of what we did here translates to other Highland Park-area lots and to similar neighborhoods nearby. Cost shifts based on lot conditions, utility runs, and finish choices — plug your numbers into the ADU cost calculator. We'll bid your specific scope, not a generic template.
Can I tour the The Highland Park ADU project in person?
Sometimes — past clients opt in to limited reference visits scheduled 2–4 weeks out. We never visit unannounced. Ask the project manager during your discovery call, or request a visit directly.
What did the The Highland Park ADU owners prioritize during design?
Documented in the project write-up. The full design philosophy lives on the process page; field notes from similar Highland Parkbuilds are on the field journal.
How did permitting work for The Highland Park ADU?
Standard Highland Park ministerial pathway. Current clock and fees are on the California permit directory.
What did The Highland Park ADU cost per square foot?
Filed in the project metadata. Statewide ranges sit in the 2026 California cost report; ADU- specific bands in the ADU cost calculator.
Did The Highland Park ADU use unusual materials or methods?
Notes live on the project page. The glossary defines any specialty system mentioned.
Could I get a The Highland Park ADU-style build on a different California lot?
Usually — the design vocabulary transfers. Cost and permit shift with city, slope, and utility runs. Start with a discovery call.
Who would I work with if I commissioned a The Highland Park ADU-style project?
The same studio team. Coverage by region is on the locations index.
Where do I see other completed projects similar to The Highland Park ADU?
The projects index filters by type and city. The topic clusters page groups similar scopes together.
What lessons from The Highland Park ADU apply to first-time ADU owners?
Start early, walk the lot, budget contingency. Full lessons-learned series on the field journal.