What's in a Neighborhood Name?

How valuable is your neighborhood's name?

That very question has been raised in the comments section of a recent Los Angeles Times feature about a Cazador Street home designed by architect Simon Storey.

The "Big and Small House," as Simon calls it, is a marvel of modern architecture, which despite the challenges presented by the lot's size and geography, still "feels" spacious.

Read more about the "Small and Big House" here.

The article has sparked an interesting debate that has very little to do with architecture, though, and everything to do with neighborhood prestige.

The article's headline refers to the "Big and Small House" as being located in Mount Washington.

However, a pair of residents who live near the home say that it's actually located in Glassell Park. Though the article doesn't list the home's address, one of the commenters reports that it's located directly next to 3937 Cazador St., which is "well within" the Times' Glassell Park mapping boundaries.

What's the difference?

In all manners but perception, there is none. As Northeast Los Angeles residents know, the craggy boundary between Glassell Park and Mount Washington is porous and inconsequential, especially to the neighbors who inhabit the border.

But for real estate agents, Mount Washington's reputation as an urban oasis and home to one of the city's best schools is an attractive selling point, geographical realities be damned.

In this editor's opinion, that sort of stinks. This is an undeniably cool house--a neighborhood gem. If it truly is located in Glassell Park, it should be advertised as such. Being associated with such a home could only help the neighborhood's reputation. Besides, there's enough cool stuff in Northeast Los Angeles to go around.