Perched on this Beverly Hills corner sits a peculiar sight. It’s the Spadena House, also famously known as The Witch’s House. This whimsical house is at the corner of Walden Drive and Carmelita Avenue. Its intentionally dilapidated design makes it a landmark. It’s a key stop on many tours of the area.
Harry Oliver, a Hollywood art director, designed the Spadena House. He later became a major figure in Storybook architecture. Oliver worked on over 30 films between 1919 and 1938. He served as art director, in the art department, and as a set decorator.
Originally, the house was built in 1921. Irvin Willat’s film studio in Culver City used it for offices and dressing rooms. In 1926, it was moved to its current Beverly Hills location. The Spadena House became a private home. Its pointy, lopsided roof and tiny windows catch the eye. Distressed stucco and an overgrown English-style garden add to its charm. A moat-like pond once surrounded the house.
The Spadena family were its first residents. They gave the house their name. The house has 3,500 square feet of living space. In the 1960s, a second family renovated the interior. They made some exterior changes including a skylight.
The moat started leaking. The second family filled it with soil. They planted a garden. By 1997, the house had fallen into disrepair. Its prime location made it a target for demolition. Michael Libow, a real estate agent, stepped in. He didn’t want to see the house destroyed. He purchased it and began a gradual renovation.
Initially, tall black fencing went up around the lot. People thought he would tear it down. The owner received hate mail. Relief came when Libow restored Oliver’s original vision. Now, the Spadena House is Landmark Number 8 in Beverly Hills.
Architect Charles Willard Moore called it the quintessential Hansel and Gretel house. The Spadena House even appeared in the movie Clueless in 1995. Some say the Spadena House was a precursor to Walt Disney’s Imagineering. Here, stage sets become fully realized environments. The Spadena House is more than just a house. It’s a piece of Hollywood history. It is a fairy tale brought to life.