The Houdini Estate — Attraction in Los Angeles

We just wrapped up what was an amazing, successful, and stunning event at the Houdini Estate! This venue is awe-inspiring and full of enchantment and whimsy, perfect for our couple’s Enchanted Forest wedding. We started this journey during the COVID pandemic, and after having to reschedule twice with their original venue, we found the Houdini Estate. Our experience working with the contact at Houdini Estate, Ella, has been an absolute pleasure. I truly hope we are invited to another function here since every aspect of this place is simply magical. This was not what I would have described to be an easy journey, since the Houdini Estate is a build-your-own venue, and has strict rules given that this is a historic venue, in the Hollywood Hills with neighbors who live in their own private residences. However, Ella was the perfect liaison as she kept our vendor team aware of the estate’s regulations but was always respectful and worked hard to accommodate all of our needs. The staff at the Houdini Estate (shout out to Santos and his team!) were all such a pleasure to work with as well! They all had a can-do attitude and had no issues taking care of any requests we needed, including moving a heater last minute through all the hustle and bustle of guests and tables to keep the bride’s grandma warm. They also did not hesitate in helping our team move all guest seating from Ceremony space to Reception. What we loved the most about this venue was the versatility of spaces! Our couple got married in front of the Pond Terrace and hosted their cocktail hour between the Mosaic Terrace and Upper Pool Deck. We finally invited our guests down to the Grand Lawn for the reception. A few things to note for any vendors/planners who are working with the Houdini Estate for the first time. Speakers need to be off by 10 PM, but we moved the party inside the estate, and offered headphones for a silent disco outside to continue the fun! If you want access the day before, your client will need to extend their rental to the day before. There is a strict 16’ truck limit, due to the steep hill and curve, so be sure to tell your fellow vendors this early on to avoid any penalties. Additionally, you need to be on top of staggering your load-in and load out times since there is limited space and only 2 trucks can be unloading at a time. As long as you stay in touch with Ella and communicate all your needs, you shouldn’t have a problem! The price is affordable, and the views are breath-taking! Your guests will definitely have an amazing time at this venue, with lots of photo opportunities! Attached are some phenomenal teasers from our talented photo team...

I don't even know where to begin. I hesitated posting this because we wondered if we just caught the property on a bad day, so I will try to remain objective. My fiancé and I scheduled a tour with Houdini on February 28. The following week, I got a call from Sarah at Houdini asking "if I wanted to schedule a tour." When I informed her we had already scheduled, she apologized profusely and I went about my day. On March 11, I got another text message from Sarah, asking if I wanted to schedule a tour at Houdini. I informed her, again, that we had a tour scheduled for March 31, and again she apologized for the disorganization. Fast forward to today:

The tour: We arrived at Houdini promptly at 9:55 for our 10am appointment to find the gate closed and locked. I gave Sarah a call to inform her we were out front, and I was met with "I'm sorry I didn't hear back from you, so I had assumed you had cancelled." Very strange response for someone I had confirmed my appointment time with three separate times. Sarah gave us the gate code and said she would arrive in 15 minutes. She arrived at 10:45am. Beginning the tour, something immediately seemed very off. I'm not sure if it was because we are a young couple, but she mentioned that she had gone out the night prior. Normally, I would not care, but given the unprofessional nature of everything we'd experienced at that point, I was incredibly turned off to a venue that I was previously very excited about. Throughout the tour, Sarah seemed to struggle to pull sentences together, and had difficulty gaining access to parts of the property via gates/locks. Overall, I do not want to make any accusations, but she very well may have been intoxicated from the night prior. At the end of the tour, Sarah did not sit us down and provide a quote sheet or anything of the nature, asking me to pull up the information on my cell phone for reference. Not a great look for a 20 thousand dollar wedding venue

The property: Do not get me wrong, the historic nature of this property is beautiful, but it had not been well maintained. The reception space that is seen in photographs is comprised of turf grass and fake hedges. The art collection is fun, but combined with the poor sales experience we found it to be a bit gimmicky. The house itself was much smaller than we had imagined based on the photos on the website as well.

Final thoughts: I'm so disappointed that we had this experience with Houdini as we were very excited about it. Needless to say we won't be moving forward, and I hope this was just a bad day and not the usual presentation of their...

I recently had the privilege of securing and activating a high-profile event at The Houdini Estate, and we must say it was an experience that surpassed all expectations. We were tasked with creating an entire world within the estate in just four days, and what seemed like an impossible feat turned into a miraculous accomplishment.

The team at The Houdini Estate is nothing short of incredible. From the moment we started planning until the final moments of the event, their professionalism, expertise, and dedication were evident in every aspect. Lori and Adriana, in particular, shone as true stars, going above and beyond to ensure that our vision came to life seamlessly. Their attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and unwavering support made them an absolute pleasure to work with.

The estate itself is a treasure trove of natural beauty and enchantment. The lush gardens, with their vibrant colors and fragrant blooms, provided a stunning backdrop that required minimal effort to bring to life. The venue has a unique ability to scale and accommodate various needs, making it suitable for any type of event. Whether it's an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, The Houdini Estate can be transformed into the perfect setting to suit your vision.

What truly sets The Houdini Estate apart is its ability to transport guests into a world of wonder and magic. From the moment they step onto the property, they are captivated by the rich history, hidden gems, and caves that speak to the legacy of Harry Houdini himself. The deep-water tank and endless Houdini curious are sprinkled throughout the property, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement. The estate exudes a sense of grand mystique that creates an unforgettable atmosphere for any occasion.

We highly recommend The Houdini Estate to anyone seeking an extraordinary venue for their next event. The space is not only visually stunning but also offers a level of flexibility and adaptability that is truly remarkable. With the exceptional team at The Houdini Estate by your side, you can rest assured that your event will be flawlessly executed, leaving guests in awe.

We can't wait to work with Adriana, Lori, and the entire team at The Houdini Estate again very soon. They are truly magicians in their craft, capable of turning dreams into reality. So, if you're in search of a venue that will leave a lasting impression and create moments of pure enchantment, look no further than The Houdini Estate. You won't be...