Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Melrose Place (1992-1999)









Melrose Place began as a lame drama a la St. Elmo's Fire (1985) - early twenty-somethings starting out in the real world.   Unfortunately no one really cared if Billy's cab driving job was in jeopardy, if Rhonda's areobics career was past the expiration date or if Sandy would or would not have her Southern accent that episode.  

Then salvation came in the form of a leggy blonde whose business power suits kept getting shorter and shorter.  Add a scheming red-headed sister and a psycho doctor back from the dead and pretty soon Melrose Place was transformed into a pop culture phenomenon.  Whether it was the Alison/Billy/Amanda love triangle, Sydney turning tricks, Jo getting battered left and right, each episode was all the rave at the water cooler, or in my case, the high school cafeteria.  And Kimberly ripping her wig off remains the ultimate Melrose moment.  For me, the show jumped the shark when Kimberly blew up the building and creator Darren Star left to create Central Park West (1995-1996).  Storylines quickly went downhill, followed by numerous cast departures.  But I watched until the bitter end, hoping for the return of original cast members.  Unfortunately they wouldn't return for another ten years until the ill-conceived Melrose Place 2.0.    

Be sure to check out more Melrose Place locations at 90210locations



Location: Melrose Place
Address: 4616 Greenwood Pl, Los Feliz, CA


2003



2016













In reality, Melrose Place is a little enclave off Melrose Avenue with high-end boutiques.  In Father of the Bride (1991), it was used as Frank's storefront.

Location: D&D Advertising
Address: 5700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA


Alison received her daily emotional beating from Amanda here each and every day.  I can't blame her for hitting Shooters.

Aaron Spelling Productions was housed in this building.   The identical building across the courtyard is where my former employer - E! Entertainment Television is.


2004



2016




Location: Shooters
Address: 6808 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

The gang's hangout in earlier episodes and Alison's home away from home in later ones...  









Location: Michael & Kimberly's Beach House
Address: 1125 Capri Way, Oxnard, CA




















Location: Wilshire Memorial Hospital #1
Address: 1401 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  
California Hospital Medical Center

For most of season 1, this hospital stood in for Wilshire Memorial.  It was also used as the hospital on Nightingales (1989)






Location: Wilshire Memorial Hospital #2
Address: 5901 E 7th Street, Long Beach, CA   VA Medical Center






The entrance shot is actually the production studio at 25135 Anza Drive, Santa Clarita, CA





Location: Jane Mancini Designs
Address: 310 E 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA

Jane's studio was so spacious she finally added that second office chair she initially sent back...





Location: The Pretty Lady Boat Dock
Address: 2911 Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, CA  Channel Islands Harbor

For someone with all that New York instinct, Jo sure made a lot of bad choices, including falling for drug lord Reed Carter, who kidnapped her on his "charter boat" The Pretty Lady.









Season 1, Episode 12: "Polluted Affairs"

Location: Keith Gray's Petition Signing
Address: 1013 Swarthmore Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA

Here is where Alison first meets Keith Gray, who seems like a nice guy. She later finds out he's married and much later finds out he's a total psycho.  This area is under major renovations and pretty much unrecognizable.





Location: Keith Gray's Beach House
Address: 18808 Topanga Beach Drive, Malibu, CA








Season 1, Episode 16: "The Whole Truth"

Location: Jo's Jewelry Store
Address: 110 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA

The old Henshey Department Store sign was a nice clue in tracking down this location.







Later, when Jo asks Jake to pawn her ring, she waits for him across the street in Palisades Park.





Location: Kay Beacon's Design Studio
Address: 11830 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA   American Apparel

Jane's flighty boss' studio is right next door to Keith Gray's Beach House...







Season 1, Episode 22: "Three's A Crowd"

Location: Alison, Billy & Amanda's Waterskiing Lake
Address: Castaic Lagoon, Santa Clarita, CA

This episode was the end of the two episode arc where Alison and Amanda actually got along.  Things were never the same once Amanda and Billy met for coffee...








Location: Billy & Amanda's First Date
Address: 14633 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA   The Sherman

The Le Reina theater marquee can be seen in the background, which was severely damaged in the Northridge earthquake.  It's now a shopping center but the facade is still recognizable...








Season 1, Episode 23: "My New Partner"

Location: Billy & Amanda's Ice Skating Rink
Address: 8750 Van Nuys Boulevard, Panorama City, CA





The West Valley Wolves sign they skate past helped in tracking this location down...









Season 1, Episode 24: "Bye Bye Billy"

Location: Billy & Amanda's Hot Dog Stand
Address: 6743 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA

It's here that Billy feels guilty for not being there for Alison after her carjacking.  The Walk of Fame was a nice clue in tracking this one down as was the B Dalton Bookstore sign in the background...




Location: Billy & Amanda's Sculpture Garden
Address: UCLA - Murphy Sculpture Garden, Westwood, CA

Amanda brings Billy to her favorite statue and eerily describes it to him as he daydreams about Alison...








Season 1, Episode 25: "Irreconcilable Similarities"

Location: Amanda's Condo
Address: 4265 Marina City Drive, Marina Del Ray, CA






Location: Alison & Billy's Jogging Route
Address: Dracena Drive & Clarissa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Just a few blocks down from Melrose Place...







Location: Billy's Chair Returns to Melrose
Address: N Vermont Avenue & Finley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA




Billy then turns down Greenwood, er, Melrose Place...







Season 1, Episode 26: "End Game"

Location: Alison & Billy's Carousel
Address: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA





Andrew Shue conveying pathos in perhaps his finest hour as a thespian...



This was also used on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000) and Nightingales (1989)


Season 1, Episode 31: "State of Need"

Location: Jane & Michael's Reconciliation Restaurant
Address: 1804 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA








Season 1, Episode 32: "Suspicious Minds"

Location: Jo's Gun Arrest
Address: Corner of 14th Place & South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA




Season 2, Episode 1: "Much Ado About Everything"

Location: Jo & Jake's Move-In Decision
Address: 1804 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA







This is also the same spot as Jane & Michael's reconciliation restaurant from season one. 


Season 2, Episode 3: "Revenge"

Location: Keith Gray's Seattle House
Address: 4021 S Carolina Street, San Pedro, CA





Season 2, Episode 5: "Of Bikes And Men"

Location: Katya Petrova's Apartment Building
Address: 2031 Dracena Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Melrose Place had numerous outrageous storylines. It also had a few clunkers.  And Matt and Katya's green card romance was one of them.  Thankfully it was a short-lived, whether pre-determined or through fan outrage.




This is right around the corner from Melrose Place apartment building.


Season 2, Episode 6: "Hot And Bothered"

Location: Robert's Apartment Building
Address: 1943 N Mariposa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA






This was later used as Jeffrey's Apartment.


Season 2, Episode 14: "Strange Bedfellows"

Location: Palmer Woodward's Police Station
Address: 4736 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA








Season 2, Episode 15: "Under The Mistletoe"

Location: Alison & Jo Christmas Shopping
Address: starting at 4375 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA















Season 2, Episode 23: "Otherwise Engaged"

Location: SBG Modeling Agency
Address: 5951 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA

During a shoot, Jo thinks she's been hit with the flu, but she later finds out it was morning sickness.




Season 2, Episode 25: "The Two Mrs. Mancinis"

Location: The Parker House
Address: 6332 Orion Avenue, Van Nuys, CA

Outside, it appears warm and inviting.  Inside, a dungeon of unspeakable horror.  Maybe that's a little dramatic, but this is Melrose Place.  It is here Alison's disturbed father molested her and her sister Meredith in the basement.









This charming street of ranch houses is nestled deep in Van Nuys, the porn capital of the world.  This was also Elaine Spencer's house in Ghost In The Machine (1993)


Season 2, Episode 26: "In Bed With The Enemy"

Location: Billy & Alison's Church
Address: 1100 Avenue 64, Pasadena, CA   Church of the Angels





Do these two look like they're ready to tie the knot or what?







This church was also used in Heathers (1989)

Season 2, Episode 27: "Psycho-Therapy"

Location: Dr. Levin's House
Address: 2405 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz, CA

Wilshire Memorial's Chief-Of-Staff, who liked to play cowboy with high-priced hookers, resided at this posh dwelling.




This was also Donna's first house on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)

Season 2, Episode 31: "Till Death Do Us Part"


Location: Sydney's Hooker Beatdown
Address: Hollywood Boulevard & Sycamore Avenue, Hollywood, CA

After she's shunned by Hollywood Madam Lauren Ethridge, Sydney resorts to picking up all kinds of strangers... if the price is right.  Unfortunately she stumbles upon the turf of some of Hollywood's toughest and roughest-looking streetwalkers.











Location: Meredith Parker's House
Address: 1547 Council Street, Los Angeles, CA

Alison's sister's San Francisco abode is actually a hop, skip and jump from downtown Los Angeles.




Location: Hillary Michael's House
Address: 4563 Petit Avenue, Encino, CA

Amanda's estranged mother lived in this ritzy house with her boy toy Chas.






A different house was later used on Models Inc. (1994-1995)


Season 3, Episode 1: "I Am Curious, Melrose"

Location: Jane's Police Station
Address: 6045 York Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Jane was one of the earlier Melrose residents to be read their Mirandas.  During this season, Alison, Michael and Matt would soon follow...










This was also seen on Roseanne (1988-2018).


Season 3, Episode 4: "Grand Delusions"


Location: Michael Regains His Memory
Address: 24201 Valencia Boulevard, Valencia, CA

Westfield Town Center





You can catch a quick glimpse of the Sisley Restaurant sign just before Michael almost gets mowed down again.  The restaurant has since closed...












Season 3, Episode 8: "Love Reeks"

Location: Chasen's Restaurant
Address: 9039 Beverly Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA

This was used a few times as just an establishing shot, but used in a scene when Susan goes for a job interview.



It is now a Bristol Farms but you can still what was once the entranceway.  This was also used on Nightingales (1989) 


Season 3, Episode 9: "Dr. Jekyll Saves His Hide"

Location: Henry Waxman's Office Building
Address: 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA   Fox Plaza Building

For the first half of season 3, if you took a drink every time Jo said she wanted her baby back ribs, you'd be as drunk as Alison.  Her attorney's office is instantly recognizable as Nokatomi Plaza from Die Hard (1988)






Season 3, Episode 11: "The Days Of Wine And Vodka"

Location: Alison Hits Boy On Bicycle
Address: Vista Pacific & Deville Way, Malibu, CA

Before cell phones distracted drivers, there were car phones.  After downing a few vodka tonics no tonic, Alison rams into this poor boy trying to work off his Thanksgiving meal.










Season 3, Episode 12: "The Doctor Who Rocks The Cradle"


Location: Alison's Police Station
Address: 1 W Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA





This was also used as the police station on Models Inc. (1994-1995)



Location: Bruce Teller's House
Address: 4000 W Hemlock, Oxnard, CA

Amanda's boss, who later hung himself in her office after she backstabbed him, resided in this sprawling home not too far from Michael & Kimberly's Beach House and The Pretty Lady Boat dock.  




Location: Chris Kidnaps Sydney
Address: Cross Creek Road & Burgess Meredith Way, Malibu, CA

Jane's boyfriend, Chris Marchette, or "That Down Under Dipwad" as Michael refers to him, whisks Sydney off the streets of West Hollywood (even thought it was shot in Malibu) and a bizarre Las Vegas kidnapping ensues...







Season 3, Episode 12: "Sex, Drugs & Rockin' The Cradle"

Location: Twin Oaks Rehabilitation Center
Address: 448 St. Katherine Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA

Or as Amanda refers to it: Pity Me Pines







Season 3, Episode 17: "They Shoot Mothers, Don't They?"

Location: Jake & Jo's Diner
Address: 7577 Foothill Boulevard, Tujunga, CA






Location: The Carter's House (Version 2)
Address: 23265 Haskell Vista Lane, Newhall, CA






Location: Rikki's Diner
Address: 4336 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA


  




Season 3, Episode 19: "Boxing Sydney"

Location: Marvin's Cult Retreat
Address: Mesa behind Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA  




Season 3, Episode 20: "St. Valentine's Day Massacre"

Location: Jake & Jane's Diner
Address: 15564 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA  

Saving a loved one from a cult can take a lot out of you, so Jake and Jane grabbed some sustenance at this roadside diner...  







Season 3, Episode 22: "And The Winner Is..."

Location: The Palomino Bar
Address: 6907 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA

Jake comes to Sydney's rescue from this dive biker bar... 






Season 3, Episode 23: "Love And Death 101"

Location: Sam Bennett's Law Office
Address: 1 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, CA



This area is also seen in Halloween II (1981) and Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982).

Location: Jake & Jess' Mother's Cemetery
Address: 601 E Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA







Another location from the Halloween (1978) franchise shows up in this episode, this time the cemetery where Judith Myers' tombstone was stolen.

Season 3, Episode 29: "The Framing of The Shrews"

Location: Alison & Brooke's Park
Address: 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA

Brooke Armstrong was about as good a friend to Alison as Susan was.  She tries to convince Alison to apply for a job which ends up being in Japan, so she can move in on Billy...








Location: Kimberly's Motel
Address: 3474 E Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena CA  Hi-Way Host Motel

Kimberly's descent into madness began at this motel.  Unfortunately this is also where Melrose Place began to jump the shark...






Location: Billy & Brooke Get Engaged
Address: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA


Billy and Brooke have been dating for a few weeks so naturally the next step would be to get hitched.  Over a bet playing air hockey.  On the Santa Monica Pier.  Everything but the white horse.





Season 3, Episode 30: "The Big Bang Theory"

Location: Peter Burns' House #2
Address: 2734 Edwin Place, Los Angeles, CA

This location was used through season 4.



Season 4, Episode 30: "Peter's Excellent Adventure"

Location: Peter's Mental Hospital
Address: 306 S Loma Drive, Los Angeles, CA






This was also the orphanage in Twins (1988)

Locations Visited: October 2003, May 2004, March 2016, October 2016, October 2018, June 2021



Still Need to Locate:

Kimberly's Garden Apartment Building
Matt & Jeffrey's Cafe
Sydney's Strip Joint
Hank's Pool Hall
Paul Graham's House
Zach Phillips' House

Related Locations:

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)Models Inc. (1994-1995)




8 comments:

  1. In season 7 episode 6 when Peter had Amanda kidnapped. Do you know the exact location where the kidnapping occurred? I found it once but have since forgotten where it was. Its the episode where the bad guys bump into Amandas car as she is going home from Kyles.

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    1. Sorry, I'm not aware of that location. I only own the first three seasons on DVD and haven't seen the last three seasons since they originally aired.

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  2. Everything is being remodeled and updated because I heard that they are going to be making a new Melrose Place and not the one that was so poorly made back 2010 which by the way had the worst actors to date.I heard that they are going to bring everyone back for another series though it will be a long time overdue since most of the main have died or moved on to other career choices in their lives and went off the radar just like that. This is going to be a whole new generation enjoying what Melrose has to offer which is complicated scheming of scandals to the murderous plots of lovers. It's about tiem they came out of retirement and put on some sunblack because this drama is going to be hot to even miss.

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    1. Really? I hadn't heard anything about another reboot.

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  3. This is fantastic �� I'm curious about the front of the hotel in "Palm Springs" and sometimes "Santa Barbara" that was often seen in an establishing shot. It had a circular driveway.

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    1. Thanks! Amanda & Alison's Retreat from season 1 and Alison & Zach's Santa Barbara Hotel from Season 3 were both shot at 2101 Mandalay Beach Road in Oxnard.

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    2. OMG yes! That's the one. Used for many many scenes/opening shots. Thank you :)

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