Encino is home to several distinct luxury pockets, and two of the most sought-after among buyers shopping new construction homes in Encino are Amestoy Estates and Royal Oaks. Both neighborhoods sit south of Ventura Boulevard and are known for their large lots and high-end custom builds, but they offer different lifestyles, price points, and streetscapes. If you're trying to decide where to focus your search, here's what sets these two neighborhoods apart.
The Appeal of Amestoy Estates
Amestoy Estates is one of Encino's most established luxury enclaves, known for its wide, gated-community feel, mature landscaping, and some of the largest lots in the area. It's consistently one of the top destinations for buyers searching new construction homes for sale in Encino who want a true estate-level property.
What draws buyers here:
- Expansive lots. Amestoy Estates is known for some of the largest residential parcels in Encino, giving builders room to design sprawling single-story or two-story estates with substantial yard and pool space.
- Gated, private feel. Many streets in the neighborhood have a gated or semi-private character, appealing to buyers who prioritize privacy and security.
- Architectural grandeur. New builds here often lean into traditional Mediterranean, French Country, or transitional estate architecture, with grand entries and formal layouts.
- Strong long-term value. The neighborhood's established reputation and consistently large lot sizes have helped it hold strong value over time.
The tradeoffs:
- Homes here tend to command a premium, reflecting both lot size and the neighborhood's prestige.
- The architectural style leans more traditional and estate-like, which may not suit buyers seeking a strictly modern or minimalist aesthetic.
The Appeal of Royal Oaks
Royal Oaks sits further south, closer to the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, and is known for its hillside and view-oriented lots alongside its flatter, more traditional streets. It offers a slightly different flavor of luxury living, with a mix of architectural styles and a strong presence of contemporary new construction. This is often where buyers searching new construction homes for sale Encino find some of the more dramatic, view-driven properties in the city.
What draws buyers here:
- View potential. Portions of Royal Oaks climb into the foothills, giving certain lots access to valley and canyon views that flat-lot neighborhoods simply can't offer.
- Architectural variety. The neighborhood has attracted a strong wave of contemporary and modern new construction alongside more traditional estate homes, giving buyers more design options.
- A blend of privacy and access. Many Royal Oaks streets offer a quieter, more secluded feel while still being a relatively short drive to Ventura Boulevard's shops and restaurants.
- Strong builder interest. Ongoing teardown-and-rebuild activity has kept a steady flow of new luxury construction moving through the neighborhood.
The tradeoffs:
- Hillside portions of the neighborhood come with the added engineering complexity and cost that sloped lots typically require.
- Lot sizes and shapes vary more than in Amestoy Estates, so buyers need to evaluate each property individually rather than assuming uniform lot characteristics across the neighborhood.
Comparing Lot Size and Architectural Style
The clearest distinction between these two neighborhoods comes down to lot character and architectural tone. Amestoy Estates offers more consistently large, flat lots suited to grand, traditional estate architecture, while Royal Oaks offers more variety, including hillside parcels that support dramatic, view-oriented contemporary design. Buyers drawn to formal, classic luxury architecture often gravitate toward Amestoy Estates, while those seeking modern design and view potential tend to lean toward Royal Oaks.
So, Which Neighborhood Should You Buy In?
There's no single right answer — it comes down to your priorities:
- If you're drawn to expansive, flat lots, a gated-community feel, and traditional estate architecture, Amestoy Estates is likely the stronger fit among new construction homes Encino currently has to offer.
- If you want the possibility of valley views, more architectural variety, and a mix of hillside and flat properties, Royal Oaks is probably the better direction for your search.
At Reeland Investments, we often walk buyers through both neighborhoods before they decide, since the difference in scale and architectural character is much easier to feel in person than to judge from listing photos alone.
Working With a Local New Construction Specialist
Whether you're drawn to the grandeur of Amestoy Estates or the view potential of Royal Oaks, evaluating new construction homes for sale in Encino requires more than browsing listings. You're comparing builder reputations, lot characteristics, and architectural style, sometimes across multiple active projects within the same neighborhood.
That's exactly where working with a dedicated local team like Reeland Investments makes a real difference. We track new development activity across both Amestoy Estates and Royal Oaks, helping buyers compare their options directly instead of relying on generic listing descriptions.
If you're ready to buy new construction homes in Encino, start by getting clear on which lifestyle — expansive flat-lot grandeur or hillside view potential — fits you best, then let a local expert guide you through the builders and listings currently available in that part of the neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Amestoy Estates and Royal Oaks in Encino?
Amestoy Estates is known for its large, flat lots and formal, traditional estate architecture, while Royal Oaks offers a mix of flat and hillside lots with more architectural variety, including contemporary, view-oriented new construction.
Which neighborhood has larger lots, Amestoy Estates or Royal Oaks?
Amestoy Estates is generally known for more consistently large, expansive lots, while Royal Oaks lot sizes vary more, particularly in its hillside sections.
Can I get valley or canyon views in either neighborhood?
Royal Oaks offers more view potential due to its hillside portions, while Amestoy Estates' flatter lots generally don't offer the same view opportunities.
Are new construction homes more expensive in Amestoy Estates or Royal Oaks?
Pricing varies by specific lot and design, but Amestoy Estates' consistently large, flat lots and established prestige often command a strong premium, while Royal Oaks pricing can vary more depending on whether a given lot is hillside or flat.
How do I find current new construction listings in Encino?
Working with a local team that actively tracks new development, like Reeland Investments, is the most reliable way to stay on top of active and upcoming projects in both Amestoy Estates and Royal Oaks, since new builds move quickly and aren't always marketed the same way as resale homes.
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