There goes the neighborhood of many childhood dreams. Fans of classic TV shows like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie, Gidget, The Partridge Family, The Waltons, and much more, will be saddened to learn that most of the homes (many just facades) at the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, located at 411 N Hollywood Way, have been wiped out to make room for office buildings. Arial views show rubble where these historic set pieces once stood.
“You may not know that Warner Brothers has been razing their backlot to make way for office buildings,” reads a post on the Facebook group called The Bewitched Continuum. “Today, Friday, October 13, 2023 (ironically, Friday the 13th in October), they demolished our #Bewitched house. It sucks. But as long as we keep the show alive with our fandom and by watching it, 1164 Morning Glory Circle will always be with us.”
Photo courtesy of Dan Mryglot for WEHO TIMES“The show ended 50 years ago, but I still don’t understand why they’re tearing it down,” said WeHo resident Dan Mryglot, who is a huge fan of Bewitched. “That house meant so much to so many people. I feel very fortunate that I was able to go on the Warner Brothers Ranch and see the facade two different times. There is a house in Santa Monica that they say inspired the facade, but it’s a mirror image of the facade, so it’s not the same.”
Photo courtesy of Dan Mryglot for WEHO TIMESThe famous fountain seen in the opening credits of the show “Friends” was saved. The fountain was dug up and moved to the Warner Brothers Lot in 2019. It is now part of the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
“A lot of people would be way more interested in seeing the Bewitched house than that Friends fountain,” added Mryglot. “And by the way, that fountain was featured in several episodes of Bewitched during its eight-year-run.”
The “Friends” Fountain at Warner Bros. Ranch – WEHO TIMES
The “Friends” Fountain at Warner Bros. Ranch – WEHO TIMESThe Warner Bros. Ranch (formerly called the Columbia Ranch) opened in the 1930s. It was used as the backdrop for films and television shows by Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros.
Only the front facades of the houses and buildings were built; the interiors were always shot at other locations or studios. The streets were constructed and arranged to allow shooting at multiple angles to create the illusion of a much larger area, though the lot only spans about six city blocks.
Photo courtesy of Dan Mryglot for WEHO TIMES
Photo courtesy of Dan Mryglot for WEHO TIMESIn 2019, it was announced that Warner Bros. would sell the Ranch property to Worthe Real Estate Group and Stockbridge Real Estate Fund as part of a larger deal to be completed in 2023 in time to mark its 100th anniversary.
WB will assume occupancy of the redeveloped parcel in 2025 following the transfer of ownership in 2023 and subsequent $500 million redevelopment led by Worthe. Another nearby campus has plans to include two office buildings built by Frank Gehry with Warner as long-term tenants. Overall, the Blondie street homes and park featuring brownstone facades and swimming pool are being leveled, paved for a parking area, office buildings and 16 new sound stages as part of the lot remodel in 2023. That space will be leased to Warner Bros.
On September 7, 2023, it was announced that investment firms Worthe and Stockbridge completed their acquisition of Warner Bros. Ranch. This was possible after obtaining a loan of 480 million dollars obtained from companies belonging to Apollo Global Management.
Rest in peace to the Murtaugh and the Griswolds family homes.
Typical American Corp mentality. Destroy historical and loved building and build some offices. This is why Americans crave historical buildings, but corporations are allowed to get away with this vandalism.
They’re building 16 soundstages and production facilities. You could call some of them “office buildings” but they’re building a dense, robust production space. It’s sad to see the houses go. I used to work there. From my current office, I’ve been watching them flatten the Ranch for construction every day. But yeah, while they’re tearing down a lot of historic sets, they’re building a ton of new production space, not generic office buildings.
Here’s a little bit of not very well known history about this lot because I’d like to set the record straight because these were not I repeat not ordinary movie prop houses and I have an article that can show everyone where these most of these houses came from back in the early turn of the last century in the 1920s 1930s when this lot was built the Sears and Roebuck Company offered houses to the General Public in kit form yeah like a model kit full size house that you could build and they were very inexpensive I mean… Read more »
I get what it feels like when a building feels like a part of you. There are buildings, gone now, many of them, that I lived in, worked in or shopped in that are completely gone now, particularly in L.A. Thanks for explaining the part about filming indoors at this house, I had a feeling that it was more than just an exterior even if not a complete house and even if sound stages were also used. Thing about removing this: 1) it is an older style house and has outlived it’s use, probably, 2) real estatee is there as… Read more »
Ever hear of punctuation?
Years ago, Debbie Reynolds had a valuable collection of gowns and outfits from various movies she said no one in Hollywood wanted. They were worth over $5 million. Preservation isn’t what each generation of execs in Hollywood desires. They just go on to the next era. The majority of the older TV history lots are now gone from the Andy Griffith show to Bonanza. While today’s kids may catch one of the old b/w shows, there’s nothing existing for them to visit.
The house from Hazel was next to the Bewitched house. As was the house from I Dream of Jennie.
HAZEL’S house was also used in Gidget.
This was also the Tiffany Welles home on Charlie’s Angels! 🙂 Mike Pingel
There is a massive shortage of soundstages in LA due to streaming. This is the right move for all involved.
The studios have admitted to making a huge mistake with regards to streaming, because unlike Netflix they haven’t been able to make it profitable. Now with the strikes and everything happening, it’s much worse on their bottom line. They have laid off thousands of workers, have cancelled a ton of shows. They have pulled movies and series off of their platforms, and now their saying they will no longer focus on making original content. They didn’t count the cost before they tore Blondie Street down. They are doing everything they can to pinch pennies and save millions in costs. A… Read more »
Wasn’t this also the Leave it to Beaver house?
No; that house is at Universal.
For those who may not know…
The Three Stooges filmed at the Ranch during the 1930s until the mid 1960s when it owned by Columbia Pictures.
The publication “The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations” is one of the books documenting the Ranch’s structures and how they looked during filming.
The location as we know it will be missed by fans of Hollywood films.
I too, was a huge fan of Bewitched. My Dad (Dick York)played the original Darrin Stephens on the show.
It just breaks my heart… I even asked if I could have a piece of the house, may be a door knob, or a piece of the door, just something to hold, dear. I’m probably not alone in my wish but oh well we still have the memories in a lot of pictures.
Best Witches
Chris York
I was a huge fan of the show. Your Dad was outstanding as Darren Stephens. It would be great to get a piece of the set, especially since your Dad was a big part of it!
Dick York was amazing, wery missed by many thousands I’d say ❤️❤️❤️
Loved your dad as Darrin Stevens!
Darwood #2 was nowhere as good as your pops, may he rest in peace.
Loved your dads characterHis surprised looks always gave me a chuckle. Sorry life handed him so many health issues.
Aww Chris, I am sorry. But you are Darrin Stephens son!!! So hey, that is a lot!!!!
I was a little girl in Australia in the 70s & just Loved watching Bewitched. Also loved your dad as Darren Stephens as he was so much more emotive and funny with Samantha than Dick Sargent. I remember reading that your dad had to leave due to excruciating back pain he suffered. I hope you get a piece of the house.
Your Dad delivered 100% in every role. He was good at drama and comedy…pretty rare. If you have a Facebook group celebrating Dick York, I’d join it!
How amazing!!! I LOVED your father!!! He was so wonderful on the show!!! I can’t believe it!!! That was my favorite show when I was a kid growing up. The whole cast was fantastic!!! The writing was so good and all the outfits were fabulous!!! You outta write a book Chris!!! I “swear on my nails” I’ll buy a copy. Your father was just the BEST!!! Hang on to those memories Chris, because we are. “Witches Honor.” Take good care, Diz McNally
Your dad was the best he made the show. You should be very proud of him. Dick Sargent not so much no one could make the faces or gestures that your father made. Just brilliant.
did you get a knob?
I enjoy watching the reruns of the bewitched I enjoyed watching your dad as the original Darren Stevens he was the best fit with Elizabeth Montgomery who played Samantha Stevens wish they would kept the houses and staged them to the show to have tours from Jamie shaffer
Your dad was the perfect Darrin Stephens, I’m so sorry you didn’t get a piece of the house. I did didn’t care for the other actor who played Darrin, you’re dad was the best!
Your dad was the BEST DARRIN!!
I really enjoyed your father’s portrayal of Darrin!
Oh Chris, I hope you get your piece of history!! Your dad was the absolute best!! Loved him and Elizabeth together as Darrin and Samantha. I never find myself watching the reruns after your dad left. But the others…. Literally almost every day! We keep them running at night for a sense of comfort…memories of simpler times. Wishing you nothing but the best. Thank you for sharing.
I agree with you. Whenever something large is torn down (this happened with my grandmother’s apartments, know it sounds silly) people should know, people close to it as you were to this set, and be offered mementos. Your Dad was so loved and still is.
Your dad was my favorite Darren! Very handsome and funny. The second one just always seemed very dry and annoyed all the time. One of my all time favorites. Still watch it on streaming tv.
Your dad was terrific on Bewitched! I read an article about how his back injury forced him to retire from the show. I was always a little disappointed when Dick Sargent’s episodes came on. Big part of my childhood in the ’70s.
It seems the fair thing would have been if Warners had offered the house facades up for sale to anyone who wanted to buy them with the understanding that the buyer had to dismantle the structure and remove it themselves and have it off the lot by a certain date. I see it as a win-win for everyone.
Back in the early 1970’s, MGM had sold its backlots and lot 3 was where the MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS street was, just before the the bulldozers were going to flatten those famous sets, they were offered free to anyone who wanted to take them away, sadly no one came forward to move them and they became just a memory.
Those facades should have been sold and relocated. They are a part of American TV history and could have been a significant part of an attraction elsewhere. I get that the Burbank real estate is simply too valuable today to not develop, but these are beloved American icons. I’m truly saddened by this.
WB sucks
It’s all about MONEY!!
They are putting 16 new sound stages on this property and Warner Bros. will continue to maintain control of these stages when completed. The written article about this property is very inaccurate. Worthe realty is building a brand new studio for Warner Bros. to continue to make movies on. I know this because… I have been working there for 33 years. The guy that wrote this article needs to get his facts straight
There are so many office building that are not rented. Why make more, sometimes it’s a pain to keep building.
Debbie honey, the article was incorrect to use the term “office buildings” so prominently. The lot is being redeveloped and modernized to allow for significantly more film & television production. the bulk of the space will be used to build 16 new modern soundstages. This is not the same thing as an office building. The “offices” that will be a part of the development are creative/production office space that is different from the kind of offices you’re thinking of. LA is in dire need of more soundstages and production space. The region has been losing productions recently due to a… Read more »
Yes, true! You make a very valid point. It is ALWAYS about money though isn’t it? It would have been appropriate, if somehow these iconic exteriors could have been moved and preserved for future generations to see.
Gross. I heard about this a few years back and it made me so sad. They certainly could have at least kept the Bewitched house and built around it or something…. But the entire ranch was so culturally historic, for decades of entertainment. Booooo!
Just have to touch things leave them alone put the office building somewhere else.
Why don’t they sell the house to the fans. Or move them to a new location
Wow, very sad. The last thing Burbank needs is more office buildings.
its all going to be behind gates the new rebuild is going to be all for the entertainment industry. Nothing else.
What a shame smh
Amateur article, reason being the photo with idiot showing his abs, was an amateur move, not professional!
More importantly, I have worked on many movie and tv shows in that backlot, it will be missed.
End of an era, the backlots are thing of the past.
You’re the idiot who is triggered by a photo of a guy lifting his shirt. This is West Hollywood. It’s Boystown. Do your homework. You wouldn’t be complaining if this a woman. More importantly, nobody cares what you filmed eons ago.
Well said, my friend.
Ok idiot
Its saddens me so ! I grew up with all of those shows, and still watch them. I wonder who will remember those office buildings 50 years from now?
Corporate Greed SUPERCEDES ALL! VERY SAD!! Something that has SENTIMENTAL VALUE AND IS PART OF TV HISTORY WILL BE GONE!