Burbank in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Animation Building
The Walt Disney Studios
Photographed By Craig Baker
1. Animation Building Marker
The Animation Building, erected in 1939, served as the architectural and functional centerpiece of the studio. Designed in the “Art Moderne” style by architect Kent Weber, the building housed the animators and story staffs on the lot.
The Animation Building is constructed with 8 wings enabling each work area to have natural sunlight. Window designs featured mechanized awnings which were adjustable in each room. The ability to attenuate the amount of natural light was one of the many requirements mandated by Walt Disney.
Also unique to the Animation Building were the visionary designs for earthquake protection and climate control. The building is constructed with expansion joints in each of the eight wings and included a roller system on which all pipes are mounted. The heating, electrical and air-conditioning systems were designed for efficiency, flexibility, long term usage and today are fully functional in their original configurations.
Many of the classic Disney animated features including “Dumbo”, “Peter Pan”, “Cinderella” and “Lady & The Tramp” were created and drawn in the Animation Building. It also housed the offices for Walt and Roy Disney at the studios. Today it is home to the talent and administration of the company and is considered the jewel of the original
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Erected 1990 by The Walt Disney Studios.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 34° 9.478′ N, 118° 19.566′ W. Marker is in Burbank, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Buena Vista Street and Alameda Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The studio property is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank CA 91521, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Shorts Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fantasia Stage (about 500 feet away); Stage Three (about 600 feet away); The Bungalow (about 600 feet away); Stage Two (about 700 feet away); Huey (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johnny Carson Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Amelia Earhart (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burbank.
Regarding The Animation Building.
A new Animation Building was constructed in 1994 across the street, on Riverside Drive next to the Ventura Freeway.
The original Walt Disney Studio was located on Hyperion Avenue near Hollywood, which opened in
Photographed By Craig Baker
2. Animation Building Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Photographed By Craig Baker
3. The Animation Building
Photographed By Craig Baker
4. Animation Building Windows
Mechanized awnings, adjustable in each room.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 898 times since then and 183 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on September 6, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
