Chattel

What Chattel does

Chattel, Inc. is a privately held historic preservation consulting firm founded in 1994 by architect Robert Jay Chattel, AIA, and headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, with a second office in San Francisco. The firm provides professional services that enable development projects to navigate federal, state, and local preservation law, including environmental review under CEQA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, application of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, Historic Structure Reports, HABS/HAER documentation, Historic Resource Assessments, Context Statements, landmark and National Register designation, Mills Act contract administration, Historical Building Code compliance, and historic tax credit consulting.

The firm's core technology is deep regulatory and craft expertise rather than software or AI: a staff of architects, historians, and planners meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards, with the founder holding 40+ years of preservation experience. The firm serves public agencies (City of Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources, City of West Hollywood, City of Las Vegas, Kern County), non-profit developers (EAH Housing, East Los Angeles Community Corporation), and private owners (Starbucks, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, The Neon Museum), delivering services through direct, project-based consulting engagements and long-term on-call arrangements.

Revenue is generated through professional services fees quoted on a project-by-project basis depending on scope and complexity, with go-to-market driven by industry awards, professional conferences, content marketing via a company blog, and active participation in preservation organizations. Geographic reach spans California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. Ownership remains entirely founder-controlled with no institutional investment, M&A activity, or restructuring disclosed.

Name

Chattel

Legal name

Chattel, Inc.

Website

https://chattel.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chattel, Inc. is a privately held historic preservation consulting firm founded in 1994, headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California, that helps government agencies, non-profit developers, and private owners navigate CEQA, Section 106, and Secretary of the Interior's Standards compliance across the U.S. West Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Historic preservation consulting
• Environmental review services
• CEQA compliance consulting
• Landmark designation assistance
• Adaptive reuse consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherman Oaks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Historic Preservation Consulting Services: Professional consulting fees for historic preservation services including environmental review, historic structure reports, preservation planning, HABS/HAER documentation, landmark designation applications, Mills Act contract preparation, and construction monitoring. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private property owners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chattel, Inc. is a historic preservation consulting firm offering professional services including environmental review under CEQA and Section 106, historic structure reports, preservation planning, HABS/HAER documentation, historic tax credit consulting, Secretary's Standards guidance, historic context statements, landmark designation assistance, Historical Building Code guidance, historic resource assessments, and Mills Act contract administration. Services are delivered to public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private property owners across California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest.

Product overview

Chattel, Inc. is a historic preservation consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of professional services for governmental agencies and stakeholder groups. The firm specializes in applying the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and interpreting federal, state, and local historic preservation law and regulations. The portfolio includes Environmental Review, Historic Structure Reports, Preservation Planning, HABS/HAER Documentation, Historic Tax Credits, Secretary's Standards guidance, Historic Context Statements, Landmark Designation, Historical Building Code guidance, Historic Resource Assessments, Mills Act consulting, and Additional Services including municipal staff extension and cultural center projects. The firm was established in 1994 by Robert Jay Chattel and is headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Review
• Historic Structure Reports
• Preservation Planning
• HABS/HAER Documentation
• Historic Tax Credits
• Secretary's Standards
• Historic Context Statements
• Landmark Designation
• Historical Building Code
• Historic Resource Assessments
• Mills Act
• Additional Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully completed projects receiving multiple preservation awards from California Preservation Foundation, Los Angeles Conservancy, and Santa Monica Conservancy
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Howard Laks ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing design architect partnership on multiple Santa Monica projects including 2501 2nd Street Landmark cottage and Santa Monica Proper Hotel projects. Collaborated on conformance with Secretary's Standards.
• Corsini Stark ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Bailey House (Case Study House #21) construction documents and Villa Vicente rehabilitation projects.
• EAH HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit housing development organization for The Laurel Apartments project combining Nikkei Hall preservation with 57 units of supportive housing.
• KFA ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign architect for The Laurel Apartments new infill construction - four-story building with 57 all-electric units wrapping around landscaped central courtyard.
• StarbuckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Gilmore Gas Station adaptive reuse into drive-through and walk-up coffee shop, receiving multiple preservation awards.
• EAH HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit housing development organization for The Laurel Apartments project combining Nikkei Hall preservation with 57 units of supportive housing.
• DFH ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign architect partnership on Chase Knolls garden apartment complex rehabilitation spanning 2011-2021.
• Spectra CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCritical rehabilitation and reconstruction work contractor on Gilmore Gas Station and Mission Santa Barbara projects.
• Mark HaddawycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner and owner representative on Bailey House (Case Study House #21) and Shaw House preservation projects.
• Rockefeller Partners ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject architect for Ford Factory CEQA rehabilitation project restoring historic integrity for Warner Music Group tenant.
• East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner for Boyle Hotel rehabilitation adding 21 affordable housing units with 4,150 sq ft retail including Mariachi Cultural Center.
• Langham Huntington HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty owner for Picture Bridge multi-million dollar structural rehabilitation in 2020, receiving California Preservation Foundation Design Award.
• Pelli Clarke & PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect partnership on Miramar Santa Monica project involving landmark designation and Certificate of Appropriateness approval.
• GGNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partnership on Miramar Santa Monica project preserving Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Palisades Building.
• City of Los Angeles Office of Historic ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-call consultant since 2010 reviewing Mills Act application materials and conducting pre-approval inspections of 50-70 eligible properties annually.
• City of West HollywoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension of staff services for historic preservation program including Mills Act inspections, historic resource assessments, and certificate of appropriateness reviews.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministration of Save America's Treasures grant for Maloof Compound roof restoration and National Scenic Byways Program grant for Neon Museum project.
• California Preservation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored State Historic Tax Credit legislation AB 1999; organizational membership and active conference participation.
• Getty Conservation InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative; staff participation in training courses; presentation on Stuart Company Building preservation.
• Harding Larmore Kutcher and Kozal, LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLand use attorney partnership on 2501 2nd Street project; drafted text amendments for Kutcher Kottage project typology.
• SQLA Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture design partnership on 2501 2nd Street Landmark cottage project.
• Pacific Cove DevelopmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership on 2501 2nd Street Landmark cottage rehabilitation and basement excavation.
• KC RestorationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHistoric window rehabilitation services for diamond-paned windows at 2501 2nd Street Landmark cottage.
• Labib Funk + AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partnership on Bailey House foundation rehabilitation and structural retrofit.
• Ken Smith ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership on Hart Park Adobe House $1.2 million rehabilitation project.
• Inertia EngineerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partnership on Hart Park Adobe House comprehensive structural retrofit.
• Structural FocusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdditional concept design structural engineering support on Hart Park Adobe House project.
• IMEG Corp.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partnership on Picture Bridge multi-million dollar rehabilitation at Langham Huntington Hotel.
• JRM Construction ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership on Picture Bridge rehabilitation project.
• Pasadena HeritagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisor partnership on Picture Bridge rehabilitation; Colorado Street Bridge community event support.
• Valerio, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect partnership on Gilmore Gas Station rehabilitation project.
• MLA StudiocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partnership on Chase Knolls garden apartment complex rehabilitation.
• Avison YoungcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwner representative partnership on 9595 Wilshire curtainwall replacement project in Beverly Hills.
• HLWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject architect partnership on 9595 Wilshire curtainwall replacement project.
• KPFFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partnership on 9595 Wilshire project.
• BNBuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership on 9595 Wilshire curtainwall replacement project.
• View, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationSmart glass manufacturer providing transition glass technology for 9595 Wilshire curtainwall with automatic sunlight-based tinting.
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHistoric architectural expertise and National Environmental Policy Act consultation on Maloof Compound roof restoration.
• EberhardcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRoof repair and replacement contractor on Maloof Compound restoration project.
• RLA Conservation of Arts & ArchitecturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTerra cotta and brick conservation testing, mock-ups, and restoration treatments on Miramar Santa Monica Palisades Building.
• Griswold Conservation Associates, LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMaterials conservation testing and mock-ups on Miramar Santa Monica Palisades Building terra cotta and brick features.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Architectural Resources Group (ARG): California-based architecture and preservation firm providing historic resource assessments, Secretary's Standards consultation, and adaptive reuse planning. Most direct peer given overlapping service offerings and shared California geography.
• Page & Turnbull: Historic preservation architecture firm with deep California practice in adaptive reuse, HABS documentation, and preservation planning. Directly comparable service menu and client segments.
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE): Engineering and architectural firm with a historic preservation group delivering condition assessments, materials conservation, and preservation planning services. Cited as a partner on Maloof Compound project, indicating active collaboration with Chattel.
• Preservation Architecture + Planning: California-focused historic preservation consulting firm offering architectural history, preservation planning, and CEQA/Section 106 services. Closely aligned niche focus and West Coast geography.

Broad incumbents

• AECOM: Global professional services firm with a large cultural resources and historic preservation practice delivering Section 106 and CEQA work. Represents broader incumbent competition in large public-sector RFPs.
• HDR: Global architecture, engineering, and environmental services firm with cultural and historic preservation capabilities bundled within larger multidisciplinary projects. Represents broader incumbent competition.

Emerging players

• SWCA Environmental Consultants: Environmental consulting firm with cultural resources practice handling historic preservation, NEPA, and Section 106 documentation. Competes for the environmental review portion of Chattel's work.
• ESA (Environmental Science Associates): Environmental consulting firm with cultural resources practice that handles CEQA and Section 106 environmental review—overlapping with Chattel's environmental review services but from an environmental-impact-statement perspective.
• PlaceWorks: California planning and environmental consulting firm with a cultural resources team providing historic preservation and CEQA compliance—competes in adjacent segment.

Others

• RLA Conservation of Arts & Architecture: Materials conservation specialist working on terra cotta, brick, and ornamental conservation—adjacent ecosystem participant cited as a partner on Miramar Santa Monica project.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chattelinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/chattelpreservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chattel-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chattel