Ready to peek behind the curtains of your favorite superhero hideouts? Today we’re taking you on a tour of the homes and hangouts of your favorite superheroes and villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Think of it like MTV Cribs but with Iron Man and Doctor Strange instead of hip-hop stars.
From Tony Stark’s swanky Malibu mansion to Peter Parker’s humble abode in Queens, these places aren’t just sets — they’re part of the Marvel magic that keeps us coming back for more. And some of them are real-life properties that you can actually visit (or stay at, as we’re about to find out).
So, buckle up for a journey through the Marvel Universe’s coolest cribs. We’ll spill the beans on where Tony Stark’s Malibu mansion really is (or rather, isn’t) and give you the lowdown on the inspiration behind Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, Thor’s Asgardian palace, Black Panther’s opulent homebase in Wakanda, and Clint Barton’s family farm, among others. Let’s dive in!
#1 Tony Stark’s Malibu mansion
Location: Malibu, California
Description: A luxurious mansion perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the fictional address of 10880 Malibu Point in Malibu, which serves as Tony Stark’s residence and the headquarters of Stark Industries. It boasts state-of-the-art technology and breathtaking views.
Real-life counterpart: While often confused with Alicia Keys’ futuristic mansion in LaJolla, Calif., the house we see in the Marvel movies does not exist in real life. It was created for the screen using CGI, based entirely on digital concepts by artist Phil Saunders.
#2 Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum
Location: 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, New York City
Description: A mystical townhouse serving as the residence and mystical headquarters of Dr. Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. It houses ancient relics and serves as a sanctuary against otherworldly threats.
Real-life counterpart: The Sanctum building doesn’t actually exist in real life (not in this reality anyway!) and is instead made up of a series of sound stages built at the Longcross Studios in Surrey, UK. But the address is real — and it harks back to the very beginnings of the Marvel comics era. Back in the ’60s, Marvel writers Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich shared an apartment located at, you guessed it, 177a Bleecker Street in New York. But I’d refrain from visiting, as you’ll only find a regular-looking apartment building at that address.
#3 Thor’s Asgardian palace
Location: Asgard
Description: Fictionally known as the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf and said to be located in the realm of Asgard, the opulent palace serves as home to the Asgardian royal family, including Thor, Loki, and their father, Odin. It features grand halls, intricate carvings, and advanced Asgardian technology.
Real-life counterpart: While the palace is a CGI creation, it draws inspiration from various real-world ancient Norse architecture and fantasy imagery. Select scenes depicting the interiors of Asgard were filmed at Durham Cathedral, which was also used for the dream sequences Thor had in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
#4 Black Panther’s Royal Palace
Location: Wakanda, Africa
Description: A technologically advanced palace hidden within the African nation of Wakanda, serving as the residence of the Black Panther and the ruling monarchy. It seamlessly blends advanced technology with traditional African design.
Real-life counterpart: The palace is a CGI creation inspired by various African architectural styles, including Zulu and Maasai influences. However, for the 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the former Ritz Carlton hotel-casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico served as the would-be palace and was used as a backdrop for the many flashbacks in the film, EnVols reports.
#5 Peter Parker’s Aunt May’s House
Location: Queens, New York City
Description: A modest apartment in Queens, New York, where Peter Parker resides with his Aunt May. It’s a cozy and familiar setting that contrasts Peter’s superhero adventures.
Real-life counterpart: While most MCU locations were filmed in and around Atlanta, GA, Peter’s apartment shows exterior scenes filmed in New York City. MCULocationScout places Peter Parker’s apartment in Homecoming on 43rd Street in Queens, stating that “Peter’s apartment is probably on the West side of the street, but the building shown is the one on the East side.” Historically, Peter Parker’s fictional address was 20 Ingram Street in Queens, whose past residents include a family named Parker.
#6 The WandaVision house
Location: Westview, New Jersey
Description: A charming suburban home that serves as the primary setting for the events of the WandaVision series. It undergoes various transformations reflecting different sitcom eras.
Real-life counterpart: The town we see in the series is actually an extensive set located on the Warner Brothers Ranch in Burbank, California. As for the house itself, the exterior shots were also filmed on the ranch using the famed Blondie Street. Built in the 1930s, this crescent-shaped block has been featured in countless movies and TV shows such as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, American Beauty, The Middle, as well as Bewitched, a series that WandaVision took huge design inspiration from for its second episode, Don’t Touch That Dial.
#7 Tony Stark’s lakeside cabin
Location: Unspecified, possibly near a lake in upstate New York
Description: A secluded cabin where Tony Stark retreats to live a quiet life with his family after the events of Avengers: Infinity War. It’s a rustic yet idyllic retreat away from the chaos of superhero life, which he shares with Pepper Potts and their daughter, Morgan.
Real-life counterpart: Set on private property in the middle of the beautiful Bouckaert Farms, Tony Stark’s cabin is located in Chattahoochee Hills — a small, private community of less than 2,500 people in Fulton County, Georgia. The Atlanta-area cabin, which you can book on Airbnb to recreate key scenes from Endgame, is no stranger to big blockbusters filming here. The same cabin was used in Godzilla: Kind of the Monsters, as Kyle Chandler’s home.
#8 Thanos’ retirement farm at the Garden
Location: Unspecified
Description: A remote cabin where Thanos lives out his retirement at the beginning of Avengers: Endgame. It reflects his desire for solitude and contemplation following his victory in Infinity War.
Real-life counterpart: The cabin’s exact filming location is undisclosed, but the farm and the Garden are representative of Thanos’ quest for peace and solitude, and are surrounded by lush greenery, trees, and unlandscaped terrains, which underscore his belief that nature should be let to prevail, undisturbed by issues like overpopulation.
#9 Avengers Tower
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Description: Formerly known as Stark Tower, it serves as the headquarters of the Avengers. The tower features advanced technology and serves as a symbol of the team’s unity and power.
Real-life counterpart: Unfortunately, the tower doesn’t exist outside of the MCU. However, the actual building that serves as the basis for the Avengers/Stark Tower does exist, and it’s the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan — though it’s worth noting that the exterior shots used CGI to establish a very different look. The interiors too were created using a combination of sets and CGI.
#10 Hawkeye’s farm
Location: Unspecified, possibly Missouri
Description: A quiet farmhouse where Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, resides with his family. It’s a peaceful retreat away from the superhero life, providing a sense of normalcy for Clint and his loved ones.
Real-life counterpart: The farm’s exact filming location is undisclosed, but it represents a typical rural setting in the American Midwest.
#11 Hulk’s apartment in Sakaar
Location: Sakaar
Description: A glossy, colorful apartment located on the trash-covered planet of Sakaar in the Grandmaster’s Palace, where Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, resides while competing in the Grandmaster’s gladiatorial contests.
Real-life counterpart: While the apartment is a CGI creation, it reflects the chaotic and eclectic nature of Sakaar’s environment and Hulk’s status as the Grandmaster’s most prized champion.
#12 Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
Location: Westchester County, New York
Description: A mansion that serves as both a school and a sanctuary for mutants, led by Professor Charles Xavier. It’s a place where young mutants learn to harness their powers and find acceptance in a world that fears them.
Real-life counterpart: Quite a few real-life mansions were used throughout the years to bring Professor X’s ancestral home to life, with most recent movies filming scenes at both Casa Loma and Parkwood Estate in Ontario, Canada.
Did we miss any memorable MCU homes?
These iconic locations not only provide memorable settings for our favorite Marvel characters but also add depth and richness to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From grand palaces to humble homes, each location plays a significant role in shaping the stories and identities of the characters who inhabit them.
And if you think there’s another superhero home or prominent Marvel location that’s missing from our list, let us know in the comments. We’ll add it right away!
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