The first Los Angeles home to Walt and Roy Disney, where Walt’s animation studio originated, is set to be renovated and designated a Los Angeles Historical Monument, according to Deadline.
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What’s Happening:
- The Charlotte and Robert Disney House at 4406 West Kingswell Ave in Loz Feliz is set to be renovated and designated a Los Angeles Historical Monument.
- The house was the first Los Angeles home to Walt and Roy Disney, where they launched their careers, complete with the backyard shed where Walt allegedly finished the Alice Comedies that launched the Career of the Disney Brothers.
- The home originally belonged to Walt’s aunt and uncle, and reportedly stayed in the family for 30 years.
- Reportedly, new owners had applied for a permit to destroy the home in 2016, with plans for a new two-story home but outcry changed their minds. Current plans are to restore the house back to the 1914 standards, including a restoration of the aforementioned backyard shed.
- A sign at the location reads:
Charlotte & Robert Disney House
4406 West Kingswell Avenue
The rehabilitation of 4406 West Kingswell Avenue restores and celebrates Walt Disney’s First Los Angeles Home. In August 1923, Walt moved to Hollywood from Kansas City and lived with Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Robert. Here, he began his storied film career building an animation camera with dry goods, boxes, and spare lumber. The house, known as the Charlotte and Robert Disney House, is Los Angeles Cultural Monument (HCM #1132).
The rehabilitation of the bungalow will restore the exterior to a 1920’s period-appropriate color palette. New landscape and site features will strengthen the visual appeal of the bungalow from the street and create new living spaces outdoors. An exact replica of the garage, where Walt made short animations, will be rebuilt in its original location visible from the street down the driveway.
In the bungalow’s interior, non-historic features will be removed, and original finishes restored. The property will remain a home owned by the Disney family. This project will revitalize this historic gem that tells the story of the Walt Disney Company’s origin.