I have found that every building has its own story to tell: a unique "biography" that will bring it to life in the eyes of its owner or potential buyer. Since 1992, as The Building Biographer, I have provided histories of houses and commercial structures to over 250 Realtors and dozens of home-owners and other interested clients. To date, I have prepared over 2,500 histories for properties throughout Los Angeles County.

In the area of building histories, The Building Biographer offers three report formats: a fact-sheet, a narrative history, and a hardcover pictorial book. All formats contain information on architect, contractor, and original owner. They also discuss building permit and Assessor's records which indicate alterations made over the years to the structure. I refer to primary sources such as building departments, city halls, libraries, and public and private archives throughout Los Angeles County not always accessible by the general public. As every professional historian should do, I append copies of any documentation that I find, such as permits, assessment information, and articles from newspapers, architectural magazines, biographical reference sources, etc. I also include my opinion as to the historical significance of the property.

While the fact-sheet reads more like a bulleted summary, the narrative is presented in a binder and written in a "story" style. The narrative also contains more intensive research on all past owners, an essay on the building’s style and its architectural history, and an historical context that tells what was going on in the world and community in the year the building was constructed. Realtors usually prefer the fact-sheet format, while homeowners often order the narrative format, since it is more of a keepsake. A history of a home also makes a unique housewarming or birthday gift! A hardcover pictorial book is also available. Combining The Building Biographer’s house history narrative with beautiful exterior and interior color images by architectural photographer Dennis Hill, these one-of-a-kind publications look great on the bookshelves and coffee tables of special clients and friends.

Please click on the links to see an example of each of the report formats offered by The Building Biographer.


Thank you for visiting my website.

Tim Gregory
The Building Biographer