~hooray for hollywood~

July 10th, 2010

click to expand.

My great grandfather managed a handful of hotels in the Hollywood/Downtown area 1930s-60s. My Dad and I took a tour of a few, following the trail of balsawood airplanes he and his brothers sailed from the rootops. Above is a view from the fire escape of The Gaylord, 13th Floor (called 14th, of course). Dead center in the hills is Griffith Observatory  (nice air, no? kindly take my word for it…), a childhood haunt of mine.

Below is the Hotel Roosevelt lobby. They hosted 1st Academy Awards in 1929 inside the Blossom Ballroom.

Tucked behind the Bryson is the Wilshire Royale, one of the last places my Grandpa worked. very Chandler, no?

Miracle Mile, Bullocks Wilshire, built 1929.

When he managed this one, it was called The Elk, and was a private clubhouse for Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Across the way is MacArthur (Westlake) Park.

Below is The Gaylord, a long-time gig for grandpa.

They lived in an apt directly overlooking The Brown Derby.

The spot where the original Brown Derby was. This dome was painted salmon…

and moved to the top of the Korean Town strip mall. Hooray for Hollywood.