Fairytale Architecture
Snow White Cottages: The Storybook Homes of Los Feliz
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
These eight whimsical homes define the 1930s storybook style and served as a direct visual reference for the dwarves' cottage in Disney's first animated masterpiece.
Hidden within the Los Feliz neighborhood, a cluster of eight whimsical dwellings looks more like a Grimm Brothers illustration than a typical California street. These structures are the Snow White Cottages, a prime example of the storybook architecture that briefly swept through Los Angeles in the early 20th century.
Built in 1931 by Ben Sherwood, the complex features cragged roofs and timber framing that evoke a rustic, old-world charm.
Why It Stands Out
The most enduring legacy of the cottages is their connection to Walt Disney. Located just a short distance from the original Disney studios on Griffith Park Boulevard, the site was a daily fixture for the animation team during the late 1920s and 1930s.
It is widely believed that the eight cottages provided the visual blueprint for the home of the seven dwarves in the 1937 film. The current owner, who has held the property since 1976, notes that a Disney employee even rented one of the units as an office while the movie was in production.
This era of Los Angeles history saw several such fairytale-inspired buildings, including the Tam O'Shanter Inn and the Spadena House, but few feel as intimate as this cluster. Beyond their animation history, the cottages have a darker cinematic and cultural footprint.
The city's animation legacy continues at studios like Screen Novelties. Director David Lynch used the property as the Sierra Bonita apartments in his surreal thriller, Mulholland Drive.
The site also has a somber connection to the music world, as it was once the residence of singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. His tragic and mysterious death in 2003 adds a layer of melancholy to the otherwise enchanting atmosphere of the grounds.
The mix of Hollywood lore and architectural whimsy makes these homes a significant, if quiet, landmark in the city.
Before You Go
The cottages are located on the 2900 block of Griffith Park Boulevard. The nearby Old Zoo Picnic Area is another historic site in the Griffith Park vicinity.
Because these are private residences, visitors should remain on the sidewalk and respect the privacy of the people living there. The exterior details, including the rusticated masonry and unique rooflines, are easily visible from the public street.
More historic Los Angeles structures are preserved at the Heritage Square Museum.
Questions worth answering
What is the connection between these houses and Disney?
The animation team worked nearby and used these eight buildings as a visual guide. They helped define the look of the dwarves' home in the 1937 film.
Can I go inside the buildings?
People live in these homes today. You should stay on the sidewalk and look at the masonry from the street.
Who designed this complex?
Ben Sherwood built the site in 1931. He used timber framing and cragged roofs to create a rustic style.
Have these cottages appeared in any movies?
David Lynch filmed scenes here for his thriller, Mulholland Drive. He used the property to represent the Sierra Bonita apartments.
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