From heartbreak to homecoming, Palisades families finally move back

For 17 months, Pacific Palisades has been defined by the charred scars left by one of Los Angeles’ worst wildfires.

Now, the comeback is on.

A total of 883 homes have been approved for rebuilding after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, and families are finally beginning to move into their brand-new properties.

Nearly 400 new-home permits were issued this year through April, after President Trump in January unveiled an executive order aimed at fast-tracking the rebuilding process after the Palisades and Eaton fires.

In March 2025, just two new-home permits had been issued. That climbed to 102 permits in December and remained strong throughout 2026, with 98 approvals in January, 93 in February, 107 in March and 99 in April, according to Pali Builds.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who was tapped by Trump to help expedite rebuilding, revealed in April that the executive order helped drive nearly 2,000 permit approvals across the county.

At the time, LA County saw a 72% increase in approvals while the city itself had a 58% increase.

For many residents, the clearest sign yet that the neighborhood is returning is the reopening of billionaire developer Rick Caruso’s Palisades Village.

The shopping and dining destination, which survived the fire after Caruso hired private firefighting crews to defend it, is set to reopen in late August following a $60 million renovation.

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“Our neighbors, retailers and team never lost faith in the Palisades, and that’s what has brought it back to life,” Caruso told The California Post, after the devastating fire destroyed more than 6,800 homes, businesses and other structures.

Caruso originally opened the luxury outdoor shopping center in 2018. While the development survived the fire, the former LA mayoral candidate revealed that his family lost three homes in the area.

The revived center will feature a mix of luxury retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues, including Erewhon Market, Blue Ribbon Sushi and the historic Bay Theater, which is operated by Netflix.

Fashion brands returning to the Village include Brunello Cucinelli, elysewalker, Zimmermann, Isabel Marant, Golden Goose and Jennifer Meyer.

“Seeing longtime tenants alongside new LA brands opening here says a lot about where things are headed,” Caruso said. “August is just the start. I’m 1,000% certain the Palisades has a bright future.”

Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, lost her home in the fire along with all of her neighbors.

In the aftermath, she felt ”violated” as scavengers repeatedly sifted through the ashes of destroyed homes looking for valuables.

Now, with her new house complete, she’s preparing to return home.

“I’m very excited at the prospect of moving back to the Palisades, with the hope that many neighbors and friends will be joining me,” Kohl told The Post.

She said the reopening of Palisades Village is giving residents another reason to come back.

“We’re thrilled that Rick Caruso is reopening Palisades Village in August,” Kohl said. “Those of us who are back will need a place to gather, see friends, have dinner, watch a movie and reconnect with the community.”

Fellow Palisades resident Rashad Rhodes said the Village’s reopening signaled a new chapter for the neighborhood.

“It means the Palisades is alive again,” Rhodes said. “People are returning, businesses are reopening and neighbors finally have a place to gather.”

The reopening will bring back a mix of longtime tenants and new retailers.

Among the newcomers are Violet Grey, which is opening a new location, and Xirena, which will debut its first brick-and-mortar store.

Buck Mason will return with its men’s store while also opening a new standalone women’s location.

Other returning tenants include Anine Bing, Cult Gaia and Veronica Beard.

Meanwhile, the rebuilding push has been steadily gaining steam in 2026.

Permit review times have lengthened from an average of 31 days to 112 days as more homeowners enter the rebuilding pipeline.

The first rebuilt families are also beginning to return home.

Pali Builds recently reported that newly completed homes have started receiving Certificates of Occupancy — the final approval required before residents can move back in.

Dr. Morteza Khaleghi, whose children lost their homes in the fire, said his family is eager to see the community continue its recovery.

“We can’t wait,” he said. “My kids are living with me right now. We can’t wait to come back and be part of the community again.”

Adalee Foster said the reopening could help spark a broader return to normalcy.

“I’m really excited because I have two younger brothers who are renting now in the Palisades, and I’m excited for them to have something else to do,” Foster said.

“I grew up coming here before it was Palisades Village. The movie theater, the stores, the ice cream shops — it was part of growing up. I think this is the start of a chain reaction. People rebuild, businesses reopen and little by little the Palisades comes back.”