Neighborhood

The Secluded Life of Hollywood Heights

The steep hilltops and inclines of Hollywood Heights were not suited for wide roads and cars in the 1900s, so a series of interconnecting stairways and walkways were devised to allow residents access to these cliff-hanging homes. Most famous is the Bolognese style High Tower elevator.

A five story single open cab elevator would take its passengers from their garages on a slow climb up the hill, exposing spectacular views of Hollywood and the city. For its extraordinary staircases and hidden walks, Hollywood Heights made it into the book, Secret Stairs-LA.

In the early days of Hollywood, one of the spoils of the wealthy, who built their homes tucked into the area’s plentiful hills, was the option for seclusion. Many of the homes were built into the hills and were only accessible by staircases and pathways. In the era of the automobile, anyone navigating the hills behind the wheel knows how steep and precarious the ascents and descents can be—not to mention the fine art of parking — now by permit only — in most of Hollywood Heights.

Take away the heavy machinery and strap on a good pair of shoes and you can slide into what feels like another world when you explore the hidden staircases of Hollywood Heights. There’s about a one mile network of stairs and paths that make for a quick and fun little adventure. And you can end your adventure taking in a meal and some cocktails with some of the most breathtaking views of Los Angeles at Yamashiro Hollywood.

In a world saturated with technological advancements and efficiency, it’s satisfying to take a ride up the slow elevator and arrive at a lush oasis courtyard community and walk down these paths and experience the simple pleasure of walking amidst colorful plants and trees and smell the blooming jasmine vines and jacaranda trees.

Hollywood Heights Homes

Home styles range from ranch to Tuscan mediterraneans, as well as a few mid-century originals by Frank Lloyd Wright and son Lloyd Wright on Broadview and Alta Loma. The most famous of these being the Samuel Freeman House.

The Raymond Chandler detective mystery The Long Goodbye was made into a movie and starred Elliot Gould as detective Phillip Marlowe with one of the High Tower Apartments, the Carl Kay–designed duplex immediately adjacent to the tower.

See some of the other locally filmed motion pictures in Hollywood Heights in Film.

Notable Residents

Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White, called it home for over 40 years. The Hollywood Heritage Museum at Camrose and Highland was previously a micro bungalow developed by Ethel Barrymore, sister to actor John Barrymore. These charming homes were built to be an artist community in the 1930s, around the time of the depression.

In the 1970s there was a revolving door of musicians, actors and artists, many who helped create the California Sound—like singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, John David Souther, Gene Clarke of The Byrds, and Glenn Frey of the Eagles.

Bela Lugosi’s wife lived here in the 70s while she battled her stepson for her share of his estate and Universal Studios for the licensing of his image in promotional materials. Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives owned a modest Mediterranean on Rockledge that she recently sold.

With red clay tile roofs, dripping scarlet bougainvillea blooms in every direction and the shimmering city in the near distance, Hollywood Heights is an actual oasis, invigorating for the freshly arrived actors and artists making their way in Hollywood, and it is what makes our neighborhood…home!