Skinny House (Long Beach)

The Skinny House in Long Beach, California, is a narrow, historic residence located at 708 Longfellow Avenue. Constructed in 1932 by Newton Pullen, it is widely believed to have been built out of spite, to fill a narrow lot left vacant after a dispute with a neighbor. The house is only approximately 10 feet wide and 50 feet long, providing a total living space of around 850 square feet. Despite its unusual dimensions, the Skinny House is a fully functional home, featuring multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and living areas spread across its two stories.

The design maximizes vertical space to create a comfortable living environment. It is considered an example of "spite house" architecture, a building constructed primarily to annoy or obstruct a neighbor or otherwise inconvenience others. The Skinny House has become a local landmark and a point of interest for tourists visiting Long Beach. While privately owned and not generally open to the public, its unique appearance makes it a recognizable and photographed feature of the neighborhood. The architectural style is difficult to categorize precisely but incorporates elements of early modern design adapted to its extreme spatial constraints.