The Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District is a historic district that consists of twelve blocks between the 6200 and 7000 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. This strip of commercial and retail businesses, which includes more than 100 buildings, is recognized for its significance with the entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood and its golden age, and it also features the predominant architecture styles of the 1920s and 1930s.[1]
Development of the area that would become the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District began in the 1880s, when several developers recognized the area's potential for entertainment and the arts. The neighborhood was connected by rail to Los Angeles in 1887, Paul de Longpré built its first tourist attraction in 1901, and the entire area was annexed into the city of Los Angeles in 1910.[2]
Most of the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was built between 1915 and 1939, during the rapid boom of the film industry. Three commercial centers rose and expanded until they merged into one, with every major film studio, the industry's most significant talent and advertising agencies, numerous theaters and movie palaces, and other entertainment-related businesses and institutions located in the area.[1][3][4][5] Many of Los Angeles's most notable architects designed the buildings these businesses were in, resulting in a neighborhood filled with significant works, most notably in the Classical Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Art Deco styles.[1]
The neighborhood saw continued success through the 1940s, after which it experienced significant decline.[6] Preservation efforts began in 1980,[7] and in 1985, the entire district was entered into the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
Description
The Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District encompasses twelve blocks and 102 buildings in Hollywood, California. The area, close in proximity to classic Hollywood's major film studios, contains an array of buildings and businesses that catered to the film industry and is generally known for its significant role in the history of cinema. Furthermore, according to the United States Department of the Interior, the area contains "excellent examples of the predominant architecture styles of the 1920s and 1930s" and it retains the development pattern it developed the 1920s – a mix of high-rise buildings separated by smaller retail structures.[1]
The integrity of the district is fair, as major landmark buildings remain largely untouched and while many smaller buildings have been altered or covered with signage, their upper stories remain largely unaltered. And while the number of contributing properties is only 56% of the total parcels in the district, it is a significantly higher percentage of the large scale buildings. Other features that add to the historic nature of the district are its colored terrazo entryways, neon signage, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and its streetlights, the latter of which were developed specifically for the neighborhood.[1][2]
The Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District boundaries were defined by the United States Department of the Interior based on the area's remaining integrity. They include twelve blocks along Hollywood Boulevard, from 7065 Hollywood Blvd on the west to the northwest corner of Hollywood and Argyle Avenue on the east. However, certain sections were excluded from this area, including the south side of the 6500-block, most of the north side of the 6600-block, the north side of the 6800-block, and the south side of the 7000-block.[1]
Nine buildings just north or south of Hollywood Boulevard were also included in the district, including one on Highland Avenue near Hollywood and Highland, one on Ivar Avenue near Hollywood and Ivar, and seven on Vine Street near Hollywood and Vine.[1]
The district also has a significant grouping of Spanish Colonial Revival buildings, ones that feature designs meant to create a feeling of sophisticated and upscale yet relaxed shopping and entertainment. The style, which often features courtyards or other open space and extensive Churrigueresque detailing, was used primarily in the district's low-rise office, retail, service, and entertainment establishments. Prominent examples of this style in the district include Hotel Roosevelt (1924), El Capitan Theatre (1925), and the Baine (1926), Hollywood Toys (1927), and Cherokee (1930) buildings.[1]
Including and beyond these architectural styles are some of the district's most well known structures: its stage and movie theaters. Featuring a variety of styles and designs, Hollywood's theaters enabled the street to function not just as a business but also an entertainment center. The programmaticEgyptian (1921) and Chinese (1927) as well as the ornate Hollywood (1913, 1933 redesign), El Capitan (1925), Palace (1926), Warner (1927), and Pantages (1930) contributed to the "Hollywood" fantasy for both tourists and locals.[1]
45 of the 102 properties in this district were deemed non-contributing. Most are unnamed storefronts, but there are several historic and/or otherwise notable non-contributing buildings as well. Most notable is Garden Court Apartments (1916), which was to be listed as a contributing property before an attempted demolition damaged the building. Other notable non-contributing properties include Alexanders (1917), Artisan Patio (1918), Sardi's (1923), Vine Street Theater (1923), Old Post Office (1925), Vogue Theater (1935), and the Gitelson (1919), Palmer II (1921), and Laemmle (1932) buildings.[1][19] Additionally, Woolworth, which the listing incorrectly cites as having been constructed in 1927[1] when it was actually constructed in 1910,[20] was also listed as a non-contributing property. Of these buildings, Garden Court Apartments, Laemmle Building, and the Old Post Office have been demolished.[21][22][23]
Unlisted properties
The district contains several notable unlisted properties as well. Most are unlisted because they were built after the district was designated, but a few were built before. Most notably, Iris Theatre, while not listed, was mentioned in the listing as one of the theaters that "created an aura of fantasy for the population of the area — and satisfied the tourists in search of "Hollywood" as well."[1] It is not clear whether this statement refers to the former Iris Theatre (1914) that no longer stands[24] or Fox Theater (1918), which was known as Iris Theatre from 1918 to 1968.[25]
By 1900, Prospect was still a small dirt road surrounded by lemon orchards and vegetable fields.[30] The street was lined mostly with houses and also a few establishments, most notably at Prospect and Cahuenga Boulevard, where the Paul de Longpré Residence (1901-1927) drew not only Hollywood society, but also property buyers and tourists, and Sackett Hotel (1888-1905) served as the area's first hotel and was also home to its first post office.[2][31] After 1900, more large establishments were added to the street, including Hollywood Memorial Church (1903-1923) at Prospect and Vine Street, and Hollywood Hotel (1902-1956) at Prospect and Highland Avenue.[23]Janes Residence (1903) was also built during this time.[1]
In 1903, the Beveridge family attempted to rename Prospect Avenue after Paul de Longpré, who they and others believed "had done more than any other man to make Southern California...known to the world," but were not successful as many in the community did not want the street named after a Frenchman.[31] In 1904, the Los Angeles Gas Company installed the city's first gas meters, which allowed for the appearance of street numbers, and in 1910, Los Angeles annexed Hollywood. Then, on January 5, 1910, the Hollywood Board of Trustees officially renamed Prospect Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard.[30]
Two of Hollywood's three major commercial centers began to emerge around this time. The first at Hollywood and Cahuenga was part of the Wilcox/Beveridge ranch[1] and saw the Woolworth and Creque buildings rise in 1910[20] and 1913,[32] respectively. The second at Hollywood and Highland was developed by Whitley and Toberman and saw the Bank of America Building rise opposite the Hollywood Hotel in 1914.[1]
Hollywood's first theaters also emerged during this time. Idyl Hour Theater opened at Hollywood and Wilcox in 1910 or 1911, then became Iris Theatre when it moved near Hollywood and Cahuenga in 1914, while Hollywood Theater opened near Hollywood and Highland in 1913 and has remained in its original location ever since, making it making it the oldest theater still standing in the district.[2]
Golden Age of Hollywood Boulevard
Much of Hollywood's historical landmarks were erected between 1915 and 1939,[1] during the rapid boom of the film industry. Those migrating west saw the vast open land in Hollywood as a promising location for studios, and real estate mogul Charles E. Toberman predicted that Hollywood Boulevard would be a mecca for entertainment. He sold vacant land with the promise that "Hollywood is at a threshold of a new era of development."[23]
In 1917, two prominent residential buildings were constructed on Hollywood Boulevard, the luxurious Garden Court Apartments intended for leading members of the film industry, and Hillview Apartments, Hollywood's first artist's high-rise.[33] In 1918, Iris Theatre moved to a new 1000-seat location,[2] and in 1919, Musso & Frank opened; it has since become the oldest restaurant in Hollywood.[34] In 1920, Congregational Church opened, and today it is one of two institutional buildings still standing in the district.[1]
Hollywood and Highland and its surroundings saw more exotic development. Most notable were its movie palaces, specifically the Egyptian (1922), site of the world's first movie premiere, and Chinese (1927), home to Hollywood's famous celebrity handprints and footprints.[10] Along with these was the El Capitan playhouse, which opened in 1926 and was converted to a movie palace in 1942,[39] and the Masonic Temple, built in 1921 and the second of two institutional buildings that remain in the district today. Other notable buildings that went up in this area during this time were Montmartre (1922), Christie Hotel (1922), Hotel Roosevelt (1927), and Security Pacific (1927). The Pig 'n Whistle opened in this area in 1927 as well.[1]
Additional notable buildings that went up in the district in the 1920s include Hollywood Professional (1924), Hollywood Studio (1927), Security Trust (1928), J. J. Newberry (1928), Cherokee (1929), and Shane (1930). This decade saw so much development that Hollywood's three commercial centers merged into one, resulting in a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood that featured architectural monuments separated by smaller scaled commercial buildings.[1]
Despite an end to the district's construction boom, the area experienced continued success through the 1940s. Nearby Radio City brought many radio performers to the district, particularly to Hollywood and Vine and its Equitable Building and Plaza Hotel, the former home to numerous talent and advertising agencies,[5] the latter popular with the performers themselves.[48] The nearby Knickerbocker Hotel also retained its popularity with celebrities,[4] while Palace Theatre rebranded itself El Capitan Theatre and began broadcasting CBS radio shows as well as hosting burlesque.[49]
In 1960, the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled across the entire district. The project, in the works since 1953, was meant to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.” New street lighting and trees were also included in the project.[67]
Decline
Like much of Los Angeles, Hollywood saw significant decline in the 1960s and 70s. Radio City, a major source of Hollywood and Vine's success, was demolished in 1964,[68] and the surrounding area deteriorated soon after. The Knickerbocker closed as a hotel and reopened as senior housing in 1970.[4] Likewise, Plaza Hotel went derelict and was converted to an apartment complex in 1972.[69] The Equitable Building fared somewhat better, undergoing a $1 million renovation in 1969, after which nearby Capitol Records occupied 44,500 square feet (4,130 m2) of office space on the third through eighth floors. But despite this, the building also experienced high vagrancy and decline.[70]
The district's theaters also underwent significant change during this time. Pacific Theatres bought Pantages Theater in 1967 and ten years later they partnered with Nederlander Organization to reopen the movie palace as a playhouse.[76] Pacific Theatres also bought Warner Theatre in 1968, at which point renamed it Hollywood Pacific Theatre, and in 1978 they converted the theater into three theaters and that they named Pacific 1-2-3.[77] Pacific Theatres also bought New View Theater in 1968[26] and Vine Theatre in the 1970s, and converted the latter to a Spanish language theater and a two-dollar grindhouse.[43]
Despite the district's historic designation, it experienced continued decline throughout the 1980s and into the 90s. Garden Court Apartments was demolished in 1984, this despite it being listed as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.[79]Hollywood Brown Derby closed in 1985 and two years later the building was gutted by fire, then further damaged by squatters.[83] The Dyas Building lost its primary tenant in 1982[84] and Millers Stationers moved out of its building in 1986, citing crime and vagrancy in the area.[85]Max Factor also moved out of its salon, the building then turned into a museum that closed in 1996.[86]
On the theater front, Studio Theatre, which had been renamed Holly Cinema, closed in 1986; Pussycat Theater, which had become Ritz Theatre, closed in 1991;[26]Hollywood Theater shut down in 1992;[87] and even the prestigious Egyptian shut down in 1992, after which it fell into disrepair.[88]
The district's fortunes began to change in the late 1990s. In 1996, the American Cinematheque bought the Egyptian for a nominal $1, with the provision that the building be restored to its original grandeur and reopened as a movie theater. The Cinematheque raised $12.8 million to pay for the restoration, which included the addition of palm trees in the forecourt and a second theater in the building. The theater reopened to the public on December 4, 1998.[88] Next door Pig 'n Whistle was renovated soon after, and re-opened in 1999.[97]
The centerpiece of the revitalization effort, however, was the $430 million[100]Hollywood and Highland Center. This construction, which took the place of the First Federal Savings and Loan Building on the site of the former Hollywood Hotel, featured 640,000 square feet (59,000 m2) of commercial space around a Babylonian themed courtyard, six levels of underground parking, and the 179,000 square feet (16,600 m2), 3,600-seat Kodak Theatre, the new home of the Academy Awards.[27] The project, completed in 2001, was meant to encourage development and revitalization throughout Hollywood.[101]
The district saw numerous renovations both during and after Hollywood and Highland Center construction. The neighboring Chinese Theatre underwent a $5 million restoration and modernization while the Hollywood and Highland Center was built, and a Chinese-themed six-plex was added to the Center to connect it to the theater.[102] Across the street, the Walt Disney Company renovated their recently acquired Masonic Temple in 2002[72] and Hotel Roosevelt underwent a $30 million renovation in 2005.[103] Nearby, a Mel's Drive-In opened in Max Factor Salon's one-story wing in 2001,[104] while the Hollywood Museum took over the rest of the building in 2002.[9]
Renovation and revitalization of the district is ongoing. 2022 saw the Hollywood and Highland Center rebranded Ovation Hollywood, with all Babylonian theming removed;[132] 2023 saw another renovation at the Egyptian, this one by its new owner Netflix, who amongst other alterations removed every aesthetic addition received over the years, effectively bringing the theater back to its original form;[133] and 2024 saw the abrupt closure of Snow White Cafe.[56]
Other renovations that have been announced but not yet taken place include preserving Security Trust and Savings[134] and converting Palmer Building into a hotel.[135] Furthermore, the City of Los Angeles has proposed a comprehensive renovation of the district's entire streetscape, with changes that include: adding sidewalk dining, event plazas, and community gathering spaces; improving landscaping, lighting, signage, and mobility access; doubling pedestrian space; and restoring the Walk of Fame.[18][136]