The Big Five O Oh....A Love Letter.

Yup, about 2 1/2 years later, I arrive at my 500th post! 

In my first post I used a photo of the Warner Bros. first Hollywood studio (not much more than a barn really) and noted that in starting the blog I had no idea where the endeavor would take me.  Well, the coincidence is, the property in that old picture is now a featured stop on my Walking Tour!

I want to thank all you guys.  From the very start you've given me companionship, support, clarity, love and courage.  Courage to follow the dream I am now living!

So without further adieu.....

You may recall a post I did in September of 2010 on the fabulous El Royale apartments, but since you have a life, chances are, you don't.  To refresh your memory it's here.

I'm bringing this up because to celebrate my 500th, I want to turn this post over to YOU!  Recently one of you, a wonderful fellow named James Pappas sent me a message offering to share some pictures of the El Royale with us if I would like.  Would I ever!

James grew up in Hollywood and his dad was a lifeguard at the Ambassador Hotel pool in the '40s and '50s!  Of that star-studded poolside he had particular memories of gangster Johnny Roselli being an almost daily fixture.

As an adult, James lived in the building for many years.

Here are the 4 beautiful shots he sent for us:

From James' email:

"I have had these from my own collection for years. I also have an Architectural Digest with pictures from when George Raft lived in the penthouse. Even Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures had the other penthouse at one time. They was a bust in the parking garage in the 40’s with some gangsters."


Thank you James.  Thank you readers.  Thank you tour guests.  Now on to the next 500.

I Just Adore A Penthouse View...

If you drive down Vine St. in Hollywood, at the intersection of Melrose Ave. Vine becomes Rossmore and remains so until it terminates at Wilshire.  There is a short stretch of Rossmore (namely, between Melrose and Beverly) that has always kind of reminded me of Manhattan's Riverside Drive....without the river.  It's because of the apartment buildings there.  There are two Grande Dame buildings on this street; The Ravenswood (where Mae West lived) and the El Royal (often referred to as the Dakota of the west coast):

The list of Tinseltown luminaries who have resided here, either short or long term, include George Raft, Loretta Young, Clark Gable and William Frawley.  Frawley had lived there a short few months when on a stroll down Hollywood Blvd., not far from his former residence at the Kickerbocker, he collapsed and died in front of Leeds Shoes.  It has been erroneously stated that he was still living at the Knickerbocker when he died, not true.  A former neighbor of Frawley's at the El Royale recalls Bill knocking on his door in the afternoons to borrow a walnut for his martini! (for those who imbibe, and are daring, try it and let me know)  Judy Holliday lived there with her mother while she was filming "Born Yesterday".  This fact is verified by no less than an FBI report. (well she might have been a commie, you know)

By the 1990s and 2000s, it became hipster central with tennants such as:  Uma Thurman, Cameron Diaz, Nicholas Cage, Ben Stiller, Katie Holmes, Jack Black, Judd Apatow, Ellen Page.

And right now (act fast, supplies limited) the Penthouse of the El Royale is offered for rent! A two story, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Penthouse can be yours.  Let's have a look!

Go ahead and walk in.

Lobby

Oh, heck I waited to long!  I was researching this earlier this morning, looking at pictures and deciding to do this post once I got to work.  Well I just went to get the pictures, and apparently it's just been rented, all of the listings are down!  Well if it's any consolation the pictures weren't that great:  The kitchen was completely, and uninspiringly modernized.  But the bathrooms were faithfully original, one in sunshine gold and black tile, the other in a seafoam green and black tile.  Below is the view you would have enjoyed:

The penthouse was listed on the 16th of this month at $9500 per month.  Two days ago, it was re-listed at $8500.  Apparently that did the trick.

 UPDATE!

I was just able to locate some of those pictures and here they are:

Lobby:

Entry of Building:

Living Room with original floors:

Looking into Dining Room:

Green Bathroom:

Ho hum Kitchen:

Private Terrace: