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.
