Demolition ordered for abandoned Laurel Canyon home construction

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office has ordered the demolition of five abandoned partially-built homes in the exclusive neighborhood of Laurel Canyon, as part of a plea deal with developers Shahram and Ester Ghalili.

The Ghalilis, who purchased the property in 2020 with plans to revive the abandoned construction project, were facing 25 counts of illegal construction brought by the city attorney’s office in 2023. The abandoned three-story single-family homes on Woodstock Road have been a source of controversy in the community for decades.

According to City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office, the plea agreement with the Ghalilis puts an end to the long-standing saga and serves as a warning to others looking to skirt zoning laws and regulations.

“We will not tolerate developers who disregard the law and endanger the safety of our communities,” said Feldstein Soto in a statement. “This plea deal sends a strong message that we will hold accountable those who attempt to build illegal and unsafe structures in our city.”

The Ghalilis’ plans to construct five large homes on the hilltop property have faced opposition from neighbors and city officials since the early 2000s. Despite numerous stop-work orders and citations, the couple continued with construction, leading to the recent charges and demolition order.

“It’s a shame that it took so long for the city to take action,” said Laurel Canyon resident and vocal opponent of the project, Janice Thompson. “But I’m glad to see that justice is finally being served and these dangerous and illegal structures will be torn down.”

Originally reported by