The transformation of a modest mid-century residence into a Los Angeles icon is an intriguing tale. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to designate the famed Brady Bunch house in the San Fernando Valley as a historic-cultural monument. This decision provides landmark protections to the house on Dilling Avenue, known for its exterior appearances in the TV sitcom that aired from 1969 to 1974. While interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage, the actual property has become a popular spot for fans of the show.
The Brady Bunch series, known for depicting the humorous adventures of six step-siblings, gained enduring popularity through syndication. The house, featuring a shingle-and-stone exterior with a peaked roof, also made appearances in the 1995 film The Brady Bunch Movie and its sequel. The landmark designation safeguards the house, constructed in 1959, from demolition or significant alterations, although such changes are not entirely prohibited. Owners seeking major modifications would undergo a design review process, with the Cultural Heritage Commission able to delay proceedings to explore preservation options.
Advocating for the landmark status was the non-profit LA Conservancy, with CEO Adrian Scott Fine expressing delight at the approval. He emphasized the sentimental value the property holds for fans of the show, noting the pilgrimage many make to see it. Fine remarked on the significance of the designation, stating, “If you watched the Brady Bunch, you knew this house. People make a pilgrimage to see it. To have it designated like this, it makes it all the sweeter.”
In 2018, the house was put up for sale, leading to a bidding war in which HGTV emerged victorious, acquiring the property for $3.5 million US — a substantial $1.6 million over the initial listing price for the 2,400-square-foot (223-square-meter) home. The house underwent an expansion, renovation, and redecoration to mirror the iconic TV set, featuring signature elements such as the wood-paneled living room with a floating staircase and the distinctive orange-and-green kitchen. This transformation process was captured in the HGTV miniseries titled A Very Brady Renovation.
