THE STORY

In most cities and with no exception in the City of Manhattan Beach, neighborhoods tend to get named for reasons other than their specific location within the city. For example, in Manhattan Beach many neighborhoods have been named for their physical characteristics. When you first start discovering Manhattan Beach, especially when it comes to searching for a place to live, you will quickly learn that the area near the beach is called the Sand Section.  It acquired that name mainly because homes were literally built upon leveled sand dunes that exist east of the beach. The southwestern part of the city is called the Hill Section whose highest point is 245 feet above sea level.  Many Hill Section homes enjoy sweeping ocean views from Palos Verdes to Malibu. To the north of the Hill Section and on the west side of Sepulveda Boulevard, is the Tree Section. The area is called the Tree Section because its streets are names for different tree species. The area is also known to have many mature trees adding to its own beauty.

If you are familiar with Manhattan Beach, you probably know that the area east of Sepulveda is simply known as East Manhattan. Those that have had the privilege of living in East Manhattan understand the many great things that it offers that are challenging to find west of Sepulveda. However, it never earned that respected descriptive name that has charmed the areas of the Sand, Hill and Tree Sections; a name that everyone loves, and residents can proudly call their own. It’s time to rename East Manhattan to a name as descriptive as the others.

A public opinion is being proposed to finally name this area and that name is “Manhattan Knolls”.  You have an opportunity to post your opinion by clicking the survey or vote buttons below and express your opinion on whether you like the idea of naming East Manhattan Beach a proper name.  

To be fair, there have been attempts to name parts of East Manhattan and some of them have stuck. Neighborhood naming is not official city business or politics. It simply is a colloquial nickname that is earned over time. The most common way neighborhoods get named is by the real estate industry when real estate professionals create descriptive ways to identify the differences of each area within a city.

In East Manhattan there are multiple distinct neighborhoods that have names, but most have not been consistently used like its sister areas in the Sand, Hill and Tree Sections. If you look at the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) provided by the Greater South Bay Board of Realtors, you will see that the neighborhood east of Sepulveda Blvd., south of Manhattan Beach Blvd., west of Aviation and north of Artesia Blvd. is named Manhattan Beach Mira Costa. The neighborhood north of Mira Costa up to Marine is named Manhattan Heights. However, you will rarely find anyone using that name to identify that area. On the north side of Manhattan Beach Blvd., you will also find a neighborhood known as Liberty Village. Everything north of Marine is known as Manhattan Village.

let's talk

WHY ATTEMPT TO GIVE EAST MANHATTAN A NAME?

When you speak to residents and ask about the new name you will quickly find instant support. Residents have stated that it’s like having a child without a name. Who would do that? You wouldn’t call your third born, “The third one”. Why call this part of town, “The East one”? There is nothing particularly wrong with being called East, but many residents expressed that it just doesn’t resonate as a place you want to call home. With the proposed name in place, imagine someone asked you where you lived; how would that conversation go?

“Hi, so where do you live?”

“Well I happen to live in Manhattan Knolls?”

“Oh, I’ve never heard of that! Where exactly is it?”

“It’s in a beautiful area of Manhattan Beach known for its small rolling hills, large yards, plenty of parking and walking/biking distance to not only the elementary school but the middle school and high school. It’s also home to the largest park in the area, Polliwog Park which hosts Manhattan Beach’s summer series of free concerts in the park. If you want a little more space from your neighbors, great topography, room for swimming pools, prefer to take walks with your kids and pets along sidewalks and prefer slightly larger homes for the money, it’s the place you want to live.”

george & ed

HOW DID THIS NAME CREATION COME ABOUT?

George Reppucci, a 30 year East Manhattan Beach resident, a published Manhattan Beach history researcher, and a retired Northrop Grumman/TRW program manager, knew that local real estate agent Ed Kaminsky of Strand Hill Properties not only lived in several homes in “Manhattan Knolls” but also sold more of these homes than anyone else to his clients. In addition, Ed still chooses to live East of Sepulveda given all of the choices he has. George approached Ed with his personal disappointment of living in an area named after a point on the compass. Ed and George immediately put their heads together to find out both how the city politicians, local historians and of course local residents felt about it. It was immediately clear that there was an absolute wave of support in renaming of East Manhattan to a more deserved namesake. Manhattan Knolls was suggested and the plan was born to move it into reality.

more VALUE?

WILL THIS NAME ENHANCE THE VALUE OF MY PROPERTY?

What drives the value of any real estate is of course supply and demand like any other product. The largest draw for Manhattan Beach home buyers, besides of course the perfect Southern California climate, is certainly the excellent school system. Any community that offers great education tends to fare better on appreciation of real estate values. In addition is the community “feel” that is rare to find in Los Angeles, from home town fairs, fireworks display during year end holidays, the many community gatherings like The Friendship walk that serves all of the local schools as well as special needs children and their families. Truly, the list is endless of great reasons to live and own property in Manhattan Beach. The  Knolls name change could certainly have a positive effect on how the neighborhood is perceived and that could drive increased demand. Increased demand could have a very positive long term effect on home values. It may not be immediate and it may not be noticeable but long term it certainly could have an influence. It certainly wouldn’t have any negative affect on the value. So whether you prefer to leave things just the way they are or prefer to embrace the suggested name change your vote and opinion is appreciated. Look for the place to click and vote on line or if you see a ballot in the mail, please take a moment and send it in.