History of the Roosevelt Hotel
The red neon letters "Roosevelt Hotel" have towered over Hollywood Boulevard through a star-studded heyday, years of neglect and a resurrection of Hollywood glamour.
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Milestones
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Real estate magnate Charles E. Toberman (Hollywood Bowl, Grauman's Chinese Theatre) opened the hotel in 1927. Hollywood Roosevelt Partnership filed for bankruptcy in 1989 and had three separate corporate owners until Clarion sold it to developers Goodwin Gaw and David Chang in 1995. Named for Theodore Roosevelt, it became a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 1991.
Famous Ties
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The penthouse is named for one-time residents Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.
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Design
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Spanish colonial style is well-preserved in the hotel's famous tile staircase, fountain and painted ceiling in the lobby. The pool's geometric pattern was painted by David Hockney in 1987.
Fun Fact
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The first Academy Awards were held in the ballroom in 1929.
Transformations
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The 12-story hotel was renovated in 1986 and again in 2005. Design by Dodd Mitchell, new management by Thompson Hotels and a nightlife scene promoted by Amanda Demme helped it go from old Hollywood to new Hollywood virtually overnight.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo: Jorge Mir
