If you drove past 11222 Dilling Street California right now, you’d probably feel a weird sense of déjà vu. It’s that crisp, split-level ranch aesthetic. The parked cars on a quiet Studio City cul-de-sac. It looks like childhood. Specifically, it looks like the 1970s, even though we’re well into 2026. This isn't just a house; it’s the architectural equivalent of a security blanket for millions of people who grew up watching The Brady Bunch.
But here’s the kicker.
Everything you think you know about the inside of that house is a lie. Well, a TV lie, anyway. While the exterior of 11222 Dilling Street became the definitive symbol of the American nuclear family, the "real" house for decades was a tiny, two-bedroom setup that looked absolutely nothing like the sprawling, open-concept home where Mike and Carol raised six kids. It didn't even have a second story. The producers just stuck a fake window on the roof for the cameras.
The HGTV Overhaul That Changed Everything
For about fifty years, fans would pilgrimage to North Hollywood (technically the Studio City border) just to snap a photo of the facade. The owners generally hated the attention. They put up fences. They tried to hide. Then, in 2018, the property went on the market and triggered a massive bidding war. Lance Bass from NSYNC thought he had it, but HGTV swooped in with a winning bid of $3.5 million—way over the asking price—to create A Very Brady Renovation.
This wasn't just a fresh coat of paint.
The network did something borderline insane. They realized the original 11222 Dilling Street was too small to fit the TV layout. So, they excavated the backyard and built an entire addition downward and outward. They meticulously recreated every single inch of the Paramount Studios Stage 5 set inside the actual shell of the house. We're talking about the horse statue near the door. The orange and green kitchen. That iconic floating staircase that leads to... well, originally it led to a wall, but now it leads to the actual bedrooms.
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It’s a bizarre feat of "art imitating life imitating art." You’re standing in a real house that has been modified to look like a fake house that was built on a soundstage fifty-five years ago.
Why Studio City Became the TV Mecca
Location matters. 11222 Dilling Street California isn't in some remote suburb; it’s nestled in the Colfax Meadows neighborhood. This area is a goldmine for location scouts because it feels "Anywhere, USA" despite being minutes away from Universal, Disney, and Warner Bros. studios.
If you walk a few blocks in any direction, you're likely to stumble upon a filming site. But Dilling Street is different. It carries a heavy dose of nostalgia that keeps the property value astronomical regardless of the actual square footage. When HGTV finally sold the house in 2023, it went for $3.2 million. Interestingly, that was a loss compared to what they spent on the purchase and the multi-million dollar renovation. It turns out that while people love the idea of living in a 1970s time capsule, actually living with avocado-green appliances and shag carpeting is a tough sell for a modern family.
The buyer, ironically, wasn't a mega-fan but a developer who appreciated the history. Or maybe just someone who liked the idea of owning the second most photographed home in the United States after the White House.
The Architecture of a TV Legend
Let's get technical for a second. The house was originally built in 1959. It’s a "Mid-Century Modern" but on the more conservative, ranch-style end of the spectrum. When Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of The Brady Bunch, picked it, he chose it specifically because it looked like something an architect—Mike Brady’s profession—would live in.
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- The Roofline: That steep pitch was perfect for the "split-level" look popular at the time.
- The Stone Work: The facade features Palos Verdes stone, a staple of Southern California luxury in the sixties.
- The Windows: Most people don't realize the famous window on the left was actually a fake addition for the show to imply there was a second floor.
During the renovation, the original actors—all six "kids"—came back to help. Christopher Knight (Peter) and Eve Plumb (Jan) were actually quite involved in the sourcing of vintage materials. They spent months hunting down the exact floral wallpaper and the specific shade of wood paneling. It was a weirdly emotional project for them. They had spent years on a set, but standing in a "real" version of that set at the actual 11222 Dilling Street California address was a meta-experience that few humans will ever understand.
Navigating the Neighborhood Today
If you’re planning to visit, don't expect to go inside. It’s a private residence again. The street is narrow. The neighbors are, understandably, a bit tired of people doing the "Brady pose" on the sidewalk. Honestly, the best way to see it is via a drive-by.
California real estate is weird. You have these pockets where history is preserved not by the city, but by the sheer collective will of pop culture fans. If anyone tried to tear down 11222 Dilling Street to build one of those modern "white box" mansions, there would probably be a national day of mourning.
It’s one of the few places in Los Angeles where the "vibe" hasn't been ruined by high-rise developments. The trees are taller now, and the cars are electric, but the house stays the same. It’s a physical anchor to a version of the American Dream that probably never existed, but we all like to pretend it did.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Is it a good investment? Probably not in the traditional sense.
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The maintenance on a house that is essentially a museum is a nightmare. You have specialized materials that aren't made anymore. If a tile breaks in that 70s bathroom, you aren't going to Home Depot to fix it; you're scouring eBay or specialty salvage yards in Burbank.
The value of 11222 Dilling Street California is almost entirely in its intellectual property. It’s a trophy asset. Like owning a screen-used Batmobile, you don't buy it for the gas mileage. You buy it because you want to own a piece of the collective American consciousness.
Actionable Steps for TV History Buffs
If you're obsessed with the history of this property or looking to explore the area, keep these points in mind:
- Respect the Perimeter: The current owners have invested heavily in security. Stay on the public sidewalk. Avoid blocking the neighbors' driveways, as the LAPD does patrol this area specifically for "looky-loos."
- Check the Zoning: If you're looking to buy in Studio City near Dilling Street, be aware of the "H-Overlay" or historical preservation rules. Some homes in this pocket have restrictions on how much you can change the street-facing exterior.
- Virtual Tour: Before you fly to LA, watch the A Very Brady Renovation series. It provides the only high-definition look you will ever get of the interior layout and the insane engineering required to make the house match the TV show.
- Nearby Landmarks: While you're in the area, check out the Lashley House or the Silver-Wallis House. Studio City is a masterclass in mid-century residential design that often gets overshadowed by the Brady house.
The saga of this address is far from over. As long as there are cable reruns and streaming services, people will keep looking for that iconic roofline. It’s a testament to the power of a single image. A house is just wood and stone until a camera points at it, and for 11222 Dilling Street, the camera never really stopped rolling.
Next Steps for Your Research
- Verify Local Parking Laws: Studio City has strict "Preferential Parking" zones. Check signs carefully on Dilling and nearby Bloomfield Street to avoid a $70+ ticket.
- Explore the Colfax Meadows Neighborhood: Walk the surrounding streets to see more untouched 1950s architecture that hasn't been "TV-fied."
- Review the 2023 Sale Records: Look into the public property tax records to see how the valuation of the home has fluctuated since the HGTV flip.