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Michael Jackson's Former Valley Home Could Become A Tourist Trap
Michael Jackson fans might soon be arriving by the busload to visit the home where the late star recorded classic jams like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
The Encino home where Jackson recorded some of his biggest hits could eventually open up for tours, according to TMZ. The Michael Jackson Estate—which handles his affairs on behalf of Jackson's mother and three children—is considering a plan that would allow tour buses and individuals to visit the Hayvenhurst mansion, as the Tudor-style home is known, and tour the home room-by-room.
Hayvenhurst—considered the first Neverland by some—was first purchased for the family by Joe Jackson in 1971, but was then bought by Michael when his father ran into financial trouble. In the early '80s, Michael reportedly spent two years renovated the property, adding a two-story wing with separate living quarters, as well as "a Japanese koi pond, a movie theater and a six foot-tall Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs diorama." But the biggest addition for Michael's career was the construction of a recording studio. There he reportedly laid the tracks for masterpieces from Off The Wall and Thriller, including "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and "We Are the World."
Sources tell TMZ that the Estate is currently exploring plans to offer tours, though nothing is set in stone yet. They would still need to determine if zoning laws would permit the tours or if they would need to get a variance.
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