Oakridge Estate in Northridge, California
Background
Barbara Stanwyck
Jack Oakie
The Oakridge Estate started as a horse ranch in Northridge, California. The Estate was built in 1937 when architect Paul R. Williams and Barbara Stanwyck, then one of Hollywood's highest paid actresses, collaborated to build a 6,000 square foot Irish farmhouse on a hilltop with incredible views in Northridge, California. The views were of the entire San Fernando Valley and Marwyck Ranch, her 130 acre Thoroughbred Farm, co-owned with Zeppo and Marion Marx.
In 1939 Barbara Stanwyck married Robert Taylor, a film and television actor and one of the most popular actors of his time and they moved to Beverly Hills, California. After a few years, Jack Oakie and his wife purchased the home in 1941. Jack was a famous actor and worked in radio and television. One of his more famous works was when he portrayed Napaloni in Chaplin's The Great Dictator (1940), receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The home remained in the Oakie family home for over six decades and Jack Oakie renamed the property Oakridge. Jack Oakie passed away in 1978, and after Jack’s passing Victoria Horne Oakie donated the Oakridge Estate to the USC Film School.
In 2009, USC sold the estate to the City of Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles acquired the property and today the property is managed by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
Time For a New Roof
The Oakridge Estate originally had a natural cedar shake roof. The original roof was treated and cared for often, but cedar shakes tends to decompose naturally over time. Cedar shakes are not only a severe fire risk, but they split, rot, and warp over time.
The roof was in such bad shape that it was leaking throughout the home. When Oakridge Estate was looking to replace the roof, they wanted a material that would stand the test of time, and look great doing so. They did not want to change the beautiful wood shake look that they were so accustomed to so they chose the most realistic synthetic roofing shakes ever made; CeDUR Shakes.
Total Roofing, Inc. was chosen to replace the existing cedar shake with CeDUR Walden shakes. Total Roofing is headquartered in Burbank, California and their entire team did an outstanding job on this project!
Leaking Original Wood Shake Roof
Oakridge Estate - A Historical Landmark
Today the Oakridge home is a registered historical landmark within the City of Los Angeles. Modern day Oakridge Estate has plenty to do for both family and friends. They have 90 minute house tours, group tours, plenty of history, and a beautiful park for children. In addition, recent visitors to Oakridge have been treated to the beautiful new backyard landscape. The Oakridge Estate has a fantastic website with tons of information that keeps the public informed about upcoming events and the historical importance of the estate (https://www.theoakridgeestate.org/).
January 27, 2020 marked the final job walk with the City of Los Angeles, the historical friends of Oakridge, and the roofing contractor Total Roofing.
Total Roofing, Inc. headquarters in Burbank, California