PHOTO: Walt Disney’s house. PEOPLE
For a monthly rental fee of $40,000 USD, Walt Disney’s former residence in Los Angeles is now available and reminiscent of the enchanting settings from his iconic films. Covered in lush vines, the Storybook-style home features a turret, leaded-glass windows, and a cobblestone motor court.
Constructed by Disney in 1932, the four-bedroom Los Feliz home was the family residence for approximately 20 years until they moved to Holmby Hills. The current owner, film director Timur Bekmambetov, a native of Kazakhstan residing in Israel, purchased the property for $3.7 million in 2011. Bekmambetov, collaborating with Disney historian Todd Regan, now offers tours of the home and has decided to rent it out to allow others to experience its magic.
Disney and his daughters are pictured outside the house. Ronald Grant Archive/Mary Evans/Everett Collection
Disney acquired the property during the peak of his success with Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony short films. The approximately 6,400-square-foot house was built in just under three months, a remarkable feat during the Great Depression. Some of Disney’s most iconic works, including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” and “Pinocchio,” were created while he lived in this house.
Situated on about an acre of land, the residence retains original features such as lead-lined stained-glass windows, a spiral staircase, and paintings on the foyer and dining-room ceilings. The property includes a screening room where Disney enjoyed watching his films, and a cottage-style playhouse in the yard, gifted to his daughters on Christmas Day in 1937.
CELEBRITY: JFK and Marilyn Monroe tryst house for sale for $5 million
Bekmambetov, a fan of Disney’s work, meticulously restored the house using old photos, filling it with period-appropriate antiques. The kitchen and appliances were updated to modern standards. According to listing agent Chase Campen with Compass, the house is akin to a “living museum.”
Considering himself the home’s “keeper,” Bekmambetov has drawn inspiration from the residence for a graphic novel and movie script about fictional Disney characters that never made it to the big screen. He aims to rent the house to someone creative who will be inspired by its history and charm.
Located in the affluent hillside neighborhood of Los Feliz, approximately 5 miles from downtown L.A., the property is unique for its outdoor space, offering extraordinary grounds and ample parking. In April, the median sale price in Los Feliz was $1.9 million, reflecting a 12.7% increase from the previous year, according to Redfin.