One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Walt Disney's Los Feliz Home May Be Preserved After All
Though earlier reports indicated the former Los Feliz home of Walt Disney might be due for the wrecking ball, it appears that the house may be preserved. Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Commission voted on Thursday to recommend the home as a city landmark, according to Curbed LA. The L.A. City Council still has to accept the recommendation.Disney moved into his aunt and uncle's home at 4406 Kingswell Ave. in 1923. It was in their garage that he set up his animation studio, launching what would eventually become an illustrious career in entertainment. According to LA Magazine, the home was sold out of the Disney family in the 70s, eventually making its way to its current owners, including Hyun Bae Kim, who submitted a request in July to tear down the bungalow and replace it with a larger two-story home. L.A. Planning Director Vincent Bertoni nominated the home for Historic-Cultural Monument status, which stayed the demolition.
Kim, too, is now in favor of preserving the home. He spoke at the Cultural Heritage hearing yesterday, saying his family was working with Councilmember David Ryu on various options. Kim's family was not aware of the home's history when they bought it.
The garage where Disney actually worked was preserved and moved to the Stanley Ranch Museum & Historical Village in Garden Grove in the '80s. At least one person, Commissioner Barry Milofksy, has contemplated whether or not the home could also be moved to the museum.
SRO turnout at Cultural Heritage Commission for William Pereira's MWD HQ & Walt Disney home. No speaker cards left! pic.twitter.com/losGWINw79
— Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles (@esotouric) September 15, 2016
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
