Self-Guided Tour of Magical Manors Curated by Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Amber Benson
Halloween celebrants can visit ‘Witch Houses’ in Los Angeles this spooky season on a self-guided tour from FORT: LA. Photos courtesy of FORT: LA.
Halloween celebrants will discover the mysterious past of Los Angeles through historic architecture with “Witch Houses 5: Covens. All of them Witches!: Five Magical Multi-Family Manors.” Actress and author Amber Benson (who played Tara Maclay, a witch on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) selected five historic LA apartment buildings from the 1920s and 1930s that exude spookiness for a self-guided tour spanning Koreatown, Los Feliz, and Westwood. “Witch Houses 5: Covens” is a free download from Friends of Residential Treasures: LA (FORT: LA), an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the history and influence of the LA’s residential architecture. Appropriate for all ages, the program can be downloaded at FORT: LA Trails starting October 1, 2024.
“Each of FORT: LA’s Halloween-themed trails is a labor of love meant to get people excited about exploring the sometimes whimsical, sometimes spooky, occasionally haunted but always evocative fairytale homes woven into the architectural tapestry that is Los Angeles,” says Benson, who is also the author of Witches of Echo Park, a trilogy of novels. This is the fifth year Benson has curated the Witch House trails (previous guides are also available at FORT: LA Trails.
Each building along the trail is documented in the free PDF guide with facts and figures, historical context, oral histories of owners and occupants, and photographs. The guide also features odd, humorous anecdotes—some true, some questionable—that blend architectural history with supernatural lore for an engaging and entertaining experience for tour-goers. “We’ve crafted a special experience that celebrates both the architectural significance of these buildings and the playful spirit of Halloween,” Benson adds.
The Trianon (1929, designed by Leland A. Bryant)
This French chateau-esque apartment complex, with its gothic arch doorways and distinctive “candle-snuffer” turrets, has a rich history of both real and fictional intrigue. Some of The Trianon’s best-known past residents include the novelist Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged; The Fountainhead) and the production designer George James Hopkins, who was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won four. The building’s mysterious aura has made it a popular filming location, appearing in episodes of How To Get Away with Murder, Feud: Bette and Joan, True Blood, and The X-Files, among other films and television series. Local lore even speaks of a particularly eventful Halloween party in 1999, adding to the building’s supernatural mystique.
Chateau La Martine (1929, designed by Max Maltzman)
This elegant building, known for its distinctive rose ruffle brick exterior, has a colorful history. Harry “Ham” Beall, the publicist who promoted the ceremonial hand and foot printing of movie starts at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, was found dead in 1952 by his housekeeper in his apartment. In 1954, wealthy bra manufacturer Alice Frost was arrested—twice—after being found comatose in her powder blue Cadillac in front of the building, surrounded by mysterious vials and capsules. Whispers among residents suggest the building’s unique architecture may have served purposes beyond mere aesthetics, with some claiming that its design incorporates protective elements against unseen forces.
The Piccadilly (1929, designed by Milton M. Friedman)
With its distinctive corbelled balconies and pyramidal roof, The Piccadilly boasts a history as dramatic as its striking architecture. In March 1934, actress Marjorie Crawford Wellman alleged that the dancer R.C. “Dapper Danny” Dowling abducted her from her apartment at The Piccadilly and took her to Arizona, where she managed to escape captivity. After a dramatic trial, the pair got married and the case was dismissed as a publicity stunt. Over the years, residents have reported curious incidents, particularly around Halloween, with some claiming to have seen unusual gatherings on the building’s upstairs terrace and fire escapes.
Los Altos Apartments (1926, designed by Edward B. Rust)
This Spanish Colonial Revival building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, began as Los Angeles’ first co-op. Among its illustrious tenants were Hollywood legends Clara Bow, Bette Davis, Mae West, Douglas Fairbanks, Ava Gardner, and Judy Garland, who was often seen at the legendary restaurant Perino’s next door. In 1934, William Randolph Hearst had a 3,300-square-foot, two-story suite custom designed as a city flat for himself and his long-time companion, actress Marion Davies, which remains intact today. After falling into disrepair, the building was rescued from potential demolition and meticulously restored in 1997 by nonprofit Neighborhood Efforts, with the rehabilitation completed in 1999 by M2A Architects. Today, the 75-unit structure once again houses a vibrant community of artists, screenwriters, and actors, continuing its legacy as a cultural landmark.
Chateau Colline (1935, designed by Percy Parke Lewis)
Appearing quaint among the Wilshire Corridor high-rises, the two-story Chateau Colline was designed by the same architect who created the nearby Fox Westwood Village Theatre (1930). The building is notable for its medieval-themed gardens and witchy “candle-snuffer”-roofed turrets. Rumor has it that Clark Gable and Bette Davis lived in the building and held lavish parties. Once threatened with demolition, it’s now a protected Historic-Cultural Monument. Some believe that the grounds possess a unique, charming power, particularly during certain times of the year.
About Friends of Residential Treasures: LA (FORT: LA)
FORT: LA seeks to bring people together by celebrating the history and influence of residential architecture. The organization has developed four interlocking programs in pursuit of this mission: an online mapping system for self-guided tours of the exteriors of architecturally significant homes developed by experts in the field (FORT Trails), a fellowship to foster new knowledge (FORT Fellowship), a series of virtual experiences to provide interior access and understanding (FORT Frames), and live and virtual webinars and other in-person educational experiences (FORT Gatherings). FORT: LA is the recipient of an LA Conservancy Preservation award and a California Preservation Foundation Design award. All content is accessible for free at www.FORTLA.org.
About Amber Benson
Amber Benson is a novelist and actor who has authored the spooky Witches of Echo Park trilogy of novels. In her former life, she spent three seasons as the witch Tara Maclay on the television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. She loves walking alone in dark alleys and otherwise tempting fate.
