Highland Park is Northeast Los Angeles’ most transformed neighborhood — a former working-class community that has become one of LA’s most desirable for buyers seeking pre-war Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial homes, and 1940s character houses in the $900K–$1.5M range. Kitchen renovation is a priority for most Highland Park homeowners: the neighborhood’s vintage housing stock typically has outdated, closed-plan kitchens that don’t match modern open-living preferences. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) specializes in Craftsman-era kitchen renovations that honor Highland Park’s architectural character while delivering modern functionality.
Cabinet painting or refacing, new countertops (quartz or butcher block), appliance upgrades (standard-grade), new fixtures and hardware, updated lighting. Appropriate for rental properties or recent purchases needing surface-level updates before occupancy.
New semi-custom cabinetry (shaker or craftsman-style inset doors), quartz countertops, tile backsplash, full appliance package (mid-grade), recessed lighting, potentially opening the kitchen to adjacent dining room. The most common Highland Park kitchen remodel tier for owner-occupants.
Custom cabinetry with period-appropriate detailing (craftsman stile-and-rail, glass-front upper cabinets), premium countertops (Calacatta marble, quartzite, or honed granite), professional-grade appliances, custom range hood, hardwood or hex tile floors, full layout reconfiguration. Appropriate for Highland Park’s $1.2M–$1.5M+ homes.
Highland Park’s Craftsman and bungalow heritage calls for specific design approaches that respect the architecture while modernizing the space:
Highland Park is in the City of Los Angeles — LADBS permits. No HPOZ overlay in most of Highland Park (unlike adjacent Angelino Heights or parts of Los Feliz). Standard kitchen permit if moving plumbing or electrical: 3–6 weeks LADBS plan check. Cabinet/surface refreshes without plumbing relocation: over-the-counter permit. APLA manages all LADBS permit submissions for Highland Park kitchen projects.
Mid-range full renovation: $40,000–$75,000. Entry-level refresh: $22,000–$40,000. Custom Craftsman kitchen: $75,000–$130,000. Highland Park runs at Northeast LA rates — below Silverlake and Los Feliz, above the Valley.
Often yes, but many Craftsman bungalows in Highland Park have load-bearing walls adjacent to the kitchen. APLA performs structural assessment before any wall removal. When walls are load-bearing, beam-over-opening solutions maintain the open look while preserving structure.
Any work involving plumbing relocation, electrical panel upgrades, or structural changes requires LADBS permits. Cabinet replacement without moving plumbing can sometimes be done over-the-counter. APLA advises on permit requirements for every scope.
Yes. APLA (CA Lic #1136359) serves Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Mount Washington, and Northeast LA. Call (818) 818-4419 for a free in-home design consultation.
Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359
Home Remodeling Los Angeles | General Contractor Highland Park | Kitchen Remodel Atwater Village