The Magic Castle in Hollywood

The Most Enchanted Place in Tinseltown

Past visitors have said that it's very magical and the magic is more "amazing." For those who are looking for magic with a bit of whimsy, The Magic Castle in Hollywood is a good choice.

In addition to its fine architecture, The Magic Castle offers some high-class magical experiences.

To attend magic shows, visitors must be a member. However, they are often available for public performances on weekends (more expensive than the showings). Magicians give lectures in the afternoon and evening, and the list of acts is long enough that you can see something different every time you go. The Magic Castle is also an extremely popular venue for weddings. Regardless of whether you want to be a magician or just visit one, The Magic Castle’s secluded area is a great Halloween escape!

The Academy of Magical Arts

Where the Magic Happens

The Academy of Magical Arts is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1962 to promote, preserve, and advance the art of magic. It is based in Los Angeles, California, and operates The Magic Castle, which is a world-famous private nightclub for magicians and magic enthusiasts. The Magic Castle is the official clubhouse of the Academy and serves as both a hub for members to meet and perform as well as a venue for public magic shows and events.

As a private club, access to The Magic Castle is limited to members and their guests, who must abide by a dress code and follow certain rules while visiting the castle. However, the club also hosts public events and shows, such as the annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards show, which honors outstanding magicians and performers in the industry.

The Academy of Magical Arts also runs a Junior Program, which is designed to teach magic to young people and give them opportunities to perform in front of live audiences. The program operates under the guidance of the Academy's Junior Committee and provides training, mentorship, and performance opportunities for aspiring young magicians.

Overall, the Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle are closely linked organizations that work together to foster the art and craft of magic and provide opportunities for magicians and magic enthusiasts to connect, learn, and perform.

Construction of The Magic Castle

The Castle was originally constructed in 1909 as an elegant single-family home by Dr. William W. Laws, who bought the land from General Harrison Gray Otis, publisher of the Los Angeles Times. After Dr. Laws died in 1924, wealthy businessman and collector of the arts Arthur Edward Nelson purchased the property.

Over the years, Arthur Nelson transformed the residence into a private nightclub called “The Magic Castle”, which was frequented by all types of celebrities of the time such as Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, and Marilyn Monroe to see different types of magic. The Castle eventually became famous for hosting some of the greatest magicians of all time including Harry Houdini (who was a good friend to Mr. Nelson), Al Jolson, Mae West and Orson Welles.

Mr. Nelson’s heirs rented out The Castle from 1960 to 1975 to Hollywood producer Tony Elizabeth. In 1975, Elizabeth sold the Castle to a syndicate headed by Harry Winston and Isaac Perlmutter; who leased it out to entertainers, including Liberace. Mr. Winston was later sued by Liberace for taking money from his personal accounts and used the Castle as collateral (later paid back). The Castle was then put up for sale again in 1982, but did not sell until 1985.

After 1984 the The Magic Castle was closed down and converted into an apartment building. The building was designed by noted architect Paul Williams in the style of an Italian Renaissance villa. In 1985, it was sold to the Walt Disney Company and used as a private club to entertain their guests and co-workers. The building has since been purchased by Doc Ebersol (producer of NBC Sunday Night Football), and renovated as a private showroom for use by magicians only. Doc Ebersol would later sell the Castle to Bill Kalush in 2007, who currently owns it today.

From 2012–2013, the castle had its first major renovation since it was built. It now features a beautiful new hardwood floor replacing old carpet board that may have been left over from when the castle served as an apartment complex. It has been repainted and over the years, the paint has flaked and chips have caused many cracks in the hardwood floor. The walls are now painted a charcoal gray, a welcome change from the previously bright yellow/orange color.

The Castle is one of few houses to be built by a magician in Los Angeles as an in-town retreat for those who had no place to during weekends when they needed some time away from Hollywood. This magician architect was a member of The Magic Circle and designed The Magic Castle as a place for magicians to meet, play cards, and practice their "trickery." It was constructed as an in-town retreat for those who had no place to go on weekends when they needed some time away from Hollywood. One unique aspect of The Magic Castle’s construction is that it was one of the few houses with an elevator in Los Angeles at the time.

The Magic Castle is open to the public only for private parties and events. The cost to attend a private event is $25-$100 per person, depending on the time and accommodations.

The Castle now has several rooms for rental by magicians; these rooms are placed in the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills and Hollywood. These rooms can be used for private parties, guest speakers (magicians), lectures, conferences, meetings, or any other kind of affair that benefits a magician.

The Magic Castle’s website can be accessed by clicking here.