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Friends often refer to me as a “foamer,” i.e. a person who foams at the mouth over all things Disney. Apparently, I am not a very good one, though, because up until just recently I had no clue that for the past thirteen years the Disney Store has been headquartered at the Royal Laundry Complex, a historic former laundry plant in Pasadena. I was only made aware of the locale and its Disney connection a couple of weeks ago when, while perusing Instagram, I came across an image of an incredible Minnie-Mouse-shaped topiary on fellow stalker Julie’s page. I immediately clicked on the location link at the top of the photo and just about fell over when the map came into view with a pin dropped at 443 South Raymond Avenue in Pasadena. I was further intrigued when I read Julie’s caption, which stated that the site had been featured in the Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me” music video. How in the heck did I not know about this place – especially considering I lived in Pasadena for almost two decades and count myself an expert on the city? I, of course, promptly added the location to my To-Stalk list and headed right on over there last weekend while visiting Crown City. Thank you, Julie!
The Royal Laundry Complex was originally constructed for the Royal Laundry Company in 1927. Designed by Gordon Kaufmann, the prolific architect who also gave us the La Quinta Resort & Club, Santa Anita Park and Greystone Mansion, the property was initially composed of a single Spanish Colonial Revival building (pictured below) situated on the southwest corner of East Bellevue Drive and South Raymond Avenue.
At some point before 1931, the company needed additional space and a large one-story annex was installed along the building’s south side.
While originally designed in a utilitarian style, the structure was remodeled to be more Streamline Moderne in 1939.
That same year, Royal Laundry added a third, drive-up facility in order to accommodate its growing customer base.
It, too, was designed in a Streamline Moderne style.
The marquee signage, which originally boasted neon lettering that spelled out “DRIVE-IN & SAVE,” was added in 1955.
Though the neon has long since been removed and the background lettering painted over, you can still sort of see the wording in my photo below.
After the Royal Laundry Company closed its doors in the 1980s, the complex was left vacant for many years.
It was finally sold to Lee Group Inc. in 1995 and underwent an extensive $8-million renovation that was completed in 2005. The Disney Store leased the complex that same year and transformed it into their worldwide headquarters.
The company hired Clive Wilkinson Architects to redesign the interior of the sprawling 72,500-square-foot facility prior to moving in.
Of the highly innovative and unique space, the Clive Wilkinson website says, “The existing brick-walled structure inspired the creation of brick-like elements for the interior, which allude to the playful building block habits of children. A 20-person ‘Block Conference Room’ is formed on two sides by foam block walls. When the foam modules are disassembled, they become the seating system for 200-person company meetings. A modular honeycomb structure, conceived as a flexible means of managing Disney sample product display, forms a second conference room.” You can check out some interior photographs of the 260-person facility here.
In September 2014, the Royal Laundry Complex, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was sold to the Swig Co. for $26.1 million. At the time, the Disney Store still had a little over 3 years left on its 13-year lease, so the company remained in place. The lease did just expire at the beginning of this month, though, and, from what I’ve read, it does not appear that it was renewed. I am unsure of what that means for the future of the complex – or its Minnie Mouse topiary.
Sadly, not much of the topiary can be seen from the street.
You can just make out the top of Minnie’s shrubberied ears in my images above and below.
Those who want a better view can check out some close-up images of the statuary here. Man, what I wouldn’t give to pose in front of it!
The Backstreet Boys descended upon the Royal Laundry Complex on June 15th, 1997 to shoot their “As Long As You Love Me” music video. Though AJ, Nick, Kevin, Brian, and Howie D. had already taken Europe by storm by that time, the group was just on the cusp of becoming famous stateside and Tiger Beat magazine was on hand to report on the shoot. Prior to coming across Julie’s Instagram post, I had never actually seen the “As Long As You Love Me” video (while I am familiar with their music, the Backstreet Boys hit just a little bit after my time) and I wound up absolutely loving it! And slightly obsessing! I’ve literally seen it like thirty times now. I cannot stop watching. It is such a great video (that chair dance!), especially considering the fact that it was made over two decades ago! The song is fabulous, too. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head for like three weeks straight.
“As Long As You Love Me” mainly makes use of Royal Laundry’s interior, but the exterior is shown for a brief moment at the very end.
Interestingly, Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell met his future wife, Leighanne Wallace, during the filming. She played model “Donna” in the video. (That’s her below.) The two apparently hit it off while on set, started dating, and eventually tied the knot on September 2nd, 2000. They are still married today. The “As Long As You Love Me” video shoot took place relatively early on in Brian’s career, before he hit superstardom, so the fact that they are still together is incredible – and incredibly cute.
You can watch the full “As Long As You Love Me” video by clicking below. (Be prepared to have the song stuck in your head for the foreseeable future!)
The Royal Laundry Complex can also be seen in the Backstreet Boys – All Access DVD, which documented the making of the “As Long As You Love Me” video, as well as several others. You can can watch a segment of it here.
The Royal Laundry Complex also pops up a couple of times as Donatelli’s Royal Laundry & Dry Cleaning in An Innocent Man. Both the exterior . . .
. . . and interior of the facility are shown in the 1989 drama.
For more stalking fun, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Los Angeles magazine and Discover Los Angeles.
Big THANK YOU to fellow stalker Julie for alerting me to this locale!
Until next time, Happy Stalking!
Stalk It: The Royal Laundry Complex, from the Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me” music video, is located at 443 South Raymond Avenue in Pasadena.
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