A small stone footbridge in the Los Feliz hills, and one of the last reminders that this neighborhood was first designed for people on foot.
What is the Shakespeare Bridge in Los Feliz?
The Shakespeare Bridge, also called the Glendower Place Bridge, is a historic pedestrian footbridge in the Los Feliz hills connecting Glendower Avenue with Glendower Place. It was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #111 in 1972, and it is one of the city's few surviving neighborhood footbridges, recognizable by its stone-faced columns and storybook character.
Known locally as the Shakespeare Bridge, and not to be confused with the larger Gothic-style bridge on Franklin Avenue, this modest pedestrian crossing links Glendower Avenue with Glendower Place in the Los Feliz hills. It is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it landmarks that quietly tells the story of how this neighborhood was meant to be lived in.
The bridge dates to the early 20th century, a time when hillside neighborhoods like this one valued both beauty and access. With its stone-faced columns and tucked-away setting, the Glendower Place Bridge has a storybook quality that fits the cinematic character of Los Feliz.
At a glance
A surviving neighborhood footbridge
Designated Historic-Cultural Monument #111 in 1972, the bridge remains one of the city's few surviving neighborhood footbridges. It is a symbol of pedestrian-friendly planning and a lesser-known piece of Los Angeles infrastructure history. It sits within easy reach of Griffith Park and the hillside streets that thread through this part of Los Feliz, the same hills that hold the neighborhood's concentration of designated historic homes.
An era of walking
"The bridge is a quiet reminder that these hills were first laid out for people on foot."
Visiting the bridge today
Crossing the Shakespeare Bridge is a small act of time travel. It is still a working part of the neighborhood, used by residents walking the hillside streets, and it pairs naturally with a wider wander through the area's landmarks. The same hills hold a remarkable run of designated architecture, from the Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra houses to the public stairways that climb the slopes, and Griffith Park sits just beyond.
Buying or selling a historic home in Los Feliz?
Historic-Cultural Monuments reward representation that understands the architecture, the Mills Act math, and the specific buyer pool. If you are buying a home in Los Feliz or selling a Mills Act or HCM property, it pays to work with a Los Feliz architectural homes specialist. You can start with a no-pressure valuation or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Shakespeare Bridge designated a Historic-Cultural Monument?
The City of Los Angeles designated the Shakespeare Bridge as Historic-Cultural Monument #111 in 1972, recognizing the early 20th century footbridge as a cultural and historical resource.
Where is the Shakespeare Bridge located?
The bridge connects Glendower Avenue with Glendower Place in the Los Feliz hills, within easy reach of Griffith Park. It is a pedestrian crossing, not a vehicle bridge.
Is the Shakespeare Bridge the same as the bridge on Franklin Avenue?
No. The Shakespeare Bridge discussed here is the small Glendower Place pedestrian footbridge in the Los Feliz hills. It is often confused with the larger Gothic-style road bridge on Franklin Avenue, which is a separate structure.
The Los Feliz Historic-Cultural Monument series
An ongoing series documenting every Historic-Cultural Monument in Los Feliz. You can also explore the full HCM guide or the architectural map.
- Ennis House: Frank Lloyd Wright's Mayan Revival Masterpiece | HCM #149
- Lovell Health House: Richard Neutra's 1929 Masterpiece | HCM #123
- Derby House: Lloyd Wright's Mayan Revival
- Midtown School: John Lautner's Organic Architecture | HCM #553
- The Jacobson House: Edward Fickett, Mid-Century Modern | HCM #674
- Sherwood House: Mid-Century Modern in The Oaks | HCM #1026
- The Shakespeare Bridge: Glendower Place | HCM #111
- Blackburn Residence: Paul R. Williams Spanish Colonial Revival | HCM #913
- Abraham Gore Residence: Spanish Colonial Revival | HCM #1061
- Durex Model Home: Spanish Revival in The Oaks | HCM #1025
- Paul Lauritz House: California's Plein Air Master | HCM #784
- Los Feliz Heights Steps: Hidden Historic Stairway | HCM #657
- Avocado Trees: Los Feliz's Natural Monument | HCM #343
About the author
Debbie Pisaro is a Los Feliz real estate specialist with 24 years of experience and founder of Coastline 840, an independent California real estate brokerage. She specializes in architectural and historic homes across Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and the Eastside, and lives in a 1907 Craftsman in Silver Lake with her Doberman, Lennon.
California DRE #01369110
The Shakespeare Bridge is one of the civic monuments alongside the homes. It is one of more than fifty Historic-Cultural Monuments in Los Feliz. For the full overview, see the Los Feliz HCM guide, browse the complete collection of Los Feliz monuments, and if you are weighing designation for your own home, here is how to get a home designated.