Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California Los Angeles Youngwood Court
Youngwood Court is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Youngwood Court

Iconic Los Angeles residence famous for its 19 statues of Michelangelo's David.

Los Angeles, California

Added By
anhie
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/vampiress144/...
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/vampiress144/...
David during the Holidays   http://www.flickr.com/photos/vampiress144/...
Youngwood Court, Holidays 2010   http://www.flickr.com/photos/vampiress144/...
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

For the past fourteen years, controversy has stirred over a private residence in Hancock Park. The affluent Los Angeles neighborhood, known as the place where the Ku Klux Klan once left a burning cross on Nat King Cole's lawn, has garnered much recent attention for another one of its residents: R&B music producer, Norwood Young. More specifically, the nearly 20 statues of Michelangelo's David that adorn the front lawn of his estate.

The street-side private residence, known as "Youngwood Court," has been the subject of many lawsuits, traffic jams, and heated debates on aesthetic preference. Young purchased the home in the mid-1990s and -- much to the chagrin of the local homeowner's association -- painted it white, erected an elaborate white iron gate, and set up 19 white statues of Michelangelo's David.

For over a decade, Young faced -- and filed -- numerous lawsuits against neighbors and city officials who sought to tear down his aesthetic vision. Today, Young has finally ended his long legal battle and continues to exercise his yard-decorating rights, earning LA City Beat magazine's title as the "King of Hancock Park."

Though the David statues are the main attraction, Young adds to the spectacle by decorating his yard in thematic designs. This past year, Young celebrated his birthday with a tribute to the other "King," Michael Jackson. Each David statue was fitted in a Thriller-esque jacket, and a 7-foot replica of MJ's famous sequined glove was put on display.

For his annual winter holiday tradition, Young dresses his Davids in Santa Claus hats and displays an African-American Mr. and Mrs. Claus on a gold throne. Not to be outdone by the Claus', however, the holiday scene also includes a larger-than-life replica of Young himself, as well as a gigantic lights display of a crown and "Norrywood" sign on his roof.

UPDATE: Longwood Court is for sale/was sold. The famous statues of David have been removed.

 

Related Tags

Eccentric Homes Lost Wonders Homes

Community Contributors

Added By

anhie

Published

February 2, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2009/08/norwood-yound-hancock-park-youngwood-court.html
  • http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/17/local/me-54826?pg=1
Youngwood Court
304 S. Muirfield
Los Angeles, California, 90020
United States
34.068696, -118.328357
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Marciano Art Foundation

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Petersen Automotive Vault

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Pink's Hot Dogs

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

California

Places 237
Stories 60

Nearby Places

Marciano Art Foundation

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Petersen Automotive Vault

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Pink's Hot Dogs

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

California

Places 237
Stories 60

Related Places

  • The estate lies in disrepair.

    Santa Barbara, California

    Franceschi Park

    The home of one of California's most important horticulturalists wilts amidst a lovely park.

  • Eugene, Oregon

    Shelton McMurphey Johnson House

    A Victorian-style home known as the “Castle on the Hill.”

  • Side of house.

    Toronto, Ontario

    The Wood Cake House

    This knick-knack-covered house (complete with a matching van) is a charming oddity in the middle of a modest downtown neighborhood.

  • Front exterior

    Alcoa, Tennessee

    Millennium Manor Castle

    One man’s religious convictions led him to build this stone castle meant to withstand an apocalypse.

  • Castel Meur

    Plougrescant, France

    Castel Meur

    A small house sits between two huge rocks, with its back to the sea.

  • Interior of 575 Wandsworth

    London, England

    575 Wandsworth Road

    What started as a way to address damp basement walls turned into a house filled with intricate hand-carved designs.

  • Florence, Italy

    Massimo Listri Foundation

    An extraordinary house museum and cabinet of curiosities in the heart of Florence.

  • Warner Castle.

    Rochester, New York

    Warner Castle

    This New York estate was designed to resemble a medieval Scottish castle.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.