Anyone familiar with this builder? Shapell? S & S Construction?

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Girl In the OC_IHB

Girl In the OC_IHB

New member
<p><a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/">http://www.shapell.com/ss/</a></p>

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<p>They are building a new community in Yorba Linda... </p>
 
<p>Shapell is a northern California builder (my parent's house is built by them). As far as I know, they have a good reputation. </p>

<p>My parent's house is about 20 years old and no major problems yet (knock on wood....)</p>
 
<p>They look like nice homes.... I have not seen them in person. But, prices still seem high to me based on what I paid for a new home in the area back in 2001, and what I saw my neighbors selling at through 2003... </p>

<p>If they come in at these high prices... how will they adjust when they don't sell? Unhappy first phase buyers again?</p>

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<p><img height="20" alt="" width="85" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/title_home_styles.gif" />





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<img height="1" alt="" width="180" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/spacer.gif" />

<img height="1" alt="" width="270" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/spacer.gif" />





<a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_1.cfm"><img height="85" alt="" width="168" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/home_styles/styles_cortebella_1.jpg" /></a>

<strong>Residence 1 </strong>



3 bedrooms

2 baths plus powder

2,405 square feet

Not Available this phase

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<a class="highlight" href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_1.cfm">View Plan & Create Online Brochure<img height="12" alt="" width="7" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/arrow_blue_right.gif" /></a>













<a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_2.cfm"><img height="85" alt="" width="168" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/home_styles/styles_cortebella_2.jpg" /></a>

<strong>Residence 2 </strong>



3 or 4 bedrooms

2 baths plus powder

2,491 square feet

Temporarily Sold Out

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<a class="highlight" href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_2.cfm">View Plan & Create Online Brochure<img height="12" alt="" width="7" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/arrow_blue_right.gif" /></a>













<a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_3.cfm"><img height="85" alt="" width="168" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/home_styles/styles_cortebella_3.jpg" /></a>

<strong>Residence 3 </strong>



3 or 4 bedrooms

2 baths plus powder room

2,991 square feet

From $934,950

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<a class="highlight" href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_3.cfm">View Plan & Create Online Brochure<img height="12" alt="" width="7" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/arrow_blue_right.gif" /></a>













<a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_4.cfm"><img height="85" alt="" width="168" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/home_styles/styles_cortebella_4.jpg" /></a>

<strong>Residence 4 </strong>



3 or 4 bedrooms

2 or 3 baths plus powder room

3,021 square feet

From $920,545

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<a class="highlight" href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_4.cfm">View Plan & Create Online Brochure<img height="12" alt="" width="7" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/arrow_blue_right.gif" /></a>













<a href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_5.cfm"><img height="85" alt="" width="168" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/home_styles/styles_cortebella_5.jpg" /></a>

<strong>Residence 5 </strong>



3 to 5 bedrooms

2 to 4 baths plus powder

3,351 square feet

From $1,081,650

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<a class="highlight" href="http://www.shapell.com/ss/find/corte_bella/plan_5.cfm">View Plan & Create Online Brochure<img height="12" alt="" width="7" border="0" src="http://www.shapell.com/ss/images/arrow_blue_right.gif" /></a>






 
<p>I agree with awgee. Many of my in-laws live in the Porter Ranch community in the hills above Northridge in the San Fernando Valley --- its a master planned community all done by S&S. Those homes are fantastic, and the neighborhoods are done very nicely as well. Something else to consider (especially for the Irvine builders reading this site) --- I heard that S&S made a big contribution to the LA School District to get a new school built in its Porter Ranch development, they paid it so they would not have to lay a big mello-roos on the homeowners to get it done. That's a nice idea. </p>

<p>That YL community is worth checking out. I also think S&S is also doing something in South OC right now. LN or AV I believe. </p>
 
A friend checked out new homes built by S&S back in the 90's. She mentioned it was very well designed inside and out.
 
<p>Shapell and Shapell was the pioneer in merchant housing. Nathan Shapell was the founder of this company when he had just arrived in America after his Halocaust ordeal. This company pride itself for being there for 3 generations of buyers since the late 40’s. Its slogan was "other companies come and go but Shapell will always be here to stand behind its products". Nathan passed away last March at the age 84 I think. This company does not believe in innovation but extreme practicality. Behind Nathan’s desk was a giant pull out drawer storage for all the floor plans that he built over the last ½ century. His plans were labeled with a 4 digit number that represent the footage like plan 2805. </p>

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<p>Over the last 30 years there has been little or no innovation for this company. This company is well connected politically to our government system from the LA city hall to the White House. It contributed huge money to election and the Jewish Holocaust museums across America such as the one in DC and the Museum of Tolerance on Olympic Blvd. in West LA. Projects are approved easily in LA County for Shapell He knew and supported every politician. Nathan Shapell is the cleverest person that I knew. He bought land in far away places when the locations were considered undesirable. He knew the only way to build a good house is not by innovation but lowest price compared to the competition. He can afford to do it by having the cheap land basis. He bought a lot of land in Laguna Niguel, Yorba Linda, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, Diamond Bar, Gale Ranch in Northern Ca, and many other places back in the early 50’s. </p>

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<p>Patience was his virtue. While Laguna Niguel and Yorba Linda were during it’s hey days back during the 80’s. Everyone was buying at these two desirable locations. The competitions were fierce with good products and innovative designs. Shapell developed very little of his land. He said I will come back 20 years later when these neighborhoods matured and I will sell homes to their children. By then I can monopolize the market being the only builder there. Many parents are helping their children to buy a home today so that the children and grand children could be living close to them. He still built homes with 1980s floor plan and he only changed the outside look. Even the unskilled labor could build a good house after all he had built several thousands of the same houses over the last decade. Less innovation means having no mistakes. He can afford to lower his price since land was cheap. How can the competition compete when he has the best matured locations, close to the root of the family, cheap price, solidly product, and floor plan that is similar to mom and dads? He stocked most of the construction parts and plans so he does not need to pay fees to architects and subs. </p>

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<p>S&S is currently developing much of its matures neighborhood locations like Laguna Niguel and Yorba Linda. His philosophy was the first thing that the buyers touch and see are the most important to set their buying mood. The feel of the front door knob and the big wow when ones open the front door sets the tone of their emotion. His buyers have been mostly Chinese and Jewish. Both are good with finance and practicality. Aesthetic for this particular demographic is not important. Function and durability are paramount. </p>

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<p>Nathan personally checked for all specification of construction parts and component for their manufacturing origins. Any parts, distribution or design affiliates came from Germany and Japan he would not install them. He and his staff over the years drove only American made cars like Cadillac and Lincoln. Japanese and German made cars were not purchased. He owned most of the real estates between 4000 and 6000 block of Wilshire Blvd. Mercedes a BMW dealership of Beverly Hills were not able to establish their showroom in the vicinity of his properties. He would not install the top bath fixture components in his high end home because they are all German made. He would not install a rain shower in the master shower because it reminded him of his concentration camp experience. He never removed his prisoner tattooed number from his arm because it was a reminder of his pain and his race. German or Japanese desent consultants were heavily screened for their belief. Most were family members and friends of the family. Company is stagnant due to conflict of interest of family members and no incentive for innovation since everyone has job security.</p>

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<p>Since his passing on a cruise I wanted to write something about him and may be through this forum his legacy and philosophy could be shared and hopefully enrich the knowledge of the home buyers out there.</p>
 
<p>Gotta love Bkshopr! </p>

<p>Thanks for the wonderful tribute to someone who sounds like an amazing person, someone I would have loved to meet!</p>

<p>And thank you so very much for coming back to the site... I look forward to every post I see from you. Your posts continue to be full of knowledge, well written and from the heart. I sincerely missed you while you were absent from the site for a bit. I have learned so much from you this past year... and look forward to hearing and learning more.</p>

<p>Thanks again Bkshopr, you are simply amazing!</p>

<p>GITOC</p>

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Thanks BK!





This is one builder I didn't know much about, and even if I did, I still would have learned something from you. What a great story to share. And, thanks for sharing, as I am sure there are not that many that know the story behind Shapell.





It is great to see you back. I have learned so much from you, and missed that learning experience while you were gone. Like most here, I can't wait for the next BK post.
 
BK - I also want to extend my thanks for sharing your knowledge. Many of us who come here have differing opinions on various subjects, but I suspect the one common thread is that we all really appreciate architecture and planning -- and like to read and talk about it. Your knowledge and willingness to share it really rounds out IHB. Thanks.
 
I lived in a Shapell house for over 20 years up in NorCal (San Ramon). My parents still live in a Shapell house. I always loved the house and the neighborhood. Their NorCal division is more innovative than their SoCal division. Floorplans up there use many of the same architects that the local builders here use (Heidy, etc). They are still known for building a very good quality house and having a very good warranty department.



The big development they are doing in San Ramon echoes BK's description. Bought a huge swath of land in the late 1970's. Spent about 10 years getting it entitled and are now building 6,000 units with almost no land basis.
 
<p>Joe,</p>

<p>You are right. The Northern CA Shapell was doing the innovative projects. Nathan Shapell was very upset at the branch office of Northern CA. That office has a name Shapell Industries of Northern CA to set themselves apart. Most builder operations have different offices that pretty much operate independently from other offices eventhough under the same umbrella like Stan Pac, Beaser, Pulte, Taylor Woodrow and Brookfield. Nathan Shapell was upset over the Rain Shower head at Summit Bridge in Gale Ranch, San Ramon. He had it modified and removed all fancy Faucetry with German made parts. </p>

<p>Eventhough Nathan disliked the high expenditure but he realized the San Ramon market demanded a higher caliber of architectural design that is not stocked in his secret plan drawer. The difference of the 2 companies' politic caused the resignition of the 2 top ranking officers of the Northern CA Shapell. Art Lombardi vice president to resigned in January 2001 and Dan Hancock president shortly after in July 2001. Both were pioneers in their vision that made Shapell a household name in Northern California but also succombed to their end of their career due to stubborness but frugality of Nathan Shapell.</p>

<p>Architect David Ko designed most of the Shapell projects that helped Shapell gaining the prestige status. He left Robert Hidey several years ago and started his company. He was responsible for the success of Gail Ranch. Crest Bridge, Fairway bridge, and Summit Bridge were the landmark projects of Shapell. Robert Hidey is no longer producing any creative designs. The company can't compete in OC and currently designing houses in India and the Middle East to stay afloat.</p>
 
<p>That is so sad about how Shapell took a good thing and destroyed because of his misguided belief.</p>

<p>I will second the assessment on the Shapell homes and community. My parents' house is in a great community with all of the amenity and an HOA that hovers around $50-$100. The house is 20 years old and doing well. The floor plan is great in that it did not try to squeeze every last each of square footage out of the property. It is a 4-bd house but slanted ceiling that goes from 25 feet to 10 feet in the living room area. You can over look the living room area from the upstairs hallway area. They probably lost 500-700 square and 2 bds but gives the house a much more open feeling. Now, all the houses are square boxes that try to squeeze extra bds whereever they can.</p>
 
Volume ceiling is an excellent potential to gain 2 more bedrooms (300sf) by adding a floor. 300sf x $400/sf=$120,000 and the floor only cost $ 5,000. Net profit is $115,000. The answer is NO VOLUME CEILING.
 
Call me what you will, but every time I look at a home and it has those volume ceilings, all I can think about is how much it will cost to heat all that air up there in the winter, and what a waste of space. If I want volume, I will go outside.
 
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