Maybe this mess will be a warning for people who have no concern or thought for buildings that were built when beauty mattered, not just utilitarian nonsense. I, for one, see examples every day of success stories that deal with compromise and intelligent reuse of buildings. If it weren’t for the Conservancy we wouldn’t have the Central Library, Bullocks Wilshire, Vibiana’s Cathedral…the list goes on and on. Anyone can take a look around and see that there are acres upon acres of empty flat parking lots around Los Angeles just waiting for new construction. Of course, some people are going to get burned but people die eventually and hopefully buildings don’t have to all the time. Future generations deserve to see what we see now.
Anyone is free to their opinion on this site. I didn’t read anyone saying they had a ‘right’ to choose what ultimately happens with this property. They are simply stating their opinion, just like you, which they do have every right. By the way, what’s the conservatory….a green house or a music school?
Thanks for the confirmation. I guess I haven’t seen the HPOZ sign yet walking through Carthay Circle. I’ve only seen one example in the neighborhood where they demolished a home and put up some kind of crazy looking 3 story Disney castle that looks like it fell from space and landed there. At least the rest of them are safe now.
which corner was the Picfair on? NW, SW, SE, or NE of Pico & Fairfax? I can’t find a page for it on here and every corner at that intersection has been demolished. I know that Fairax used to run right into Pico and then you had to jog over to get back onto Fairfax. Now they have made it a large curve.
I live in South Carthay on the south side of Olympic in a historical preservation overlay zone(HPOZ) but Carthay Circle is still not protected. It’s amazing that the neighborhood looks as original as it does.
“Kinemacolor was a moderate success in the early 20th century. It made millions in Europe but was completely stymied in the U.S. due to the shenanigans of the Patent Trust, an organization of film producers that worked desparately to prevent outsiders from making an inroad in the film business. The Patent Trust was the main reason why independant producers migrated from the U.S. east coast to California.
Actually, the first link you posted is where the actual theater stood. The second link is where there was a row of stores and the large garden for the theater behind.
I’m trying to find a demolition date but the wording in this article is confusing….I don’t understand what ‘improved with’ means:
(Dec. 2, 1924)
NEW ORPHEUM TO RISE SOON
Work on what is to be the largest and finest theater in the Orpheum chain of showhouses will be started withing the next thirty days at 838 South Broadway at a cost in excess of $1,000,000, it was announced yesterday by Joe Toplitzky, representative for the building syndicate. Bids for the contstruction of the building will be accepted in about three weeks when working plans by Architect G. Albert Langsburg will be completed. Present plans provide for the erection of a twelve-story and basement structure, Class A and of steel frame and reinforced concrete construction, with an auditorium to seat 2300 persons. The site, with a frontage of 138 feet on Broadway and a depth of 148 feet to an alley, is now improved with the Mission Theater and a parking station.
I found a chunk of brick from the southwest corner of the block and took it home. I’m letting myself believe that it was part of the Westminster Hotel. Be careful looking over the fence….there are piles of human you-know-what all around the perimeter. I almost ruined my shoes.
I think after this place opens it should be on a separate page since its not the same theater at all. It’s the same situation with the Tower Theater replacing the Garrick Theater on the same footprint.
I would go to the library in Hollywood and find a nice librarian who will tell you the correct places to find the information. They might even have some of the info at the library or at the Central Library downtown.
I’ve been watching them dig up the parking lot where the Hippodrome and the Westminster Hotel once stood for the past few weeks. It’s fascinating because it looks like an archaeological dig. After they removed the parking lot and started digging down, all of the foundations for these buildings have appeared and are now being demolished. I guess the buildings had basements because there are deep trenches with brick walls that are being demolished. There are huge piles of ancient bricks and broken up concrete walls all over the lot now. I wish I could get a couple of those bricks for a souvenir.
Joe, from the sept. 4, 1919 article above, I think the theater closed then and was turned into a men’s club with a gymnasium. It was probably then turned completely into a gym. The 1920 article had another part that made it sound as though they just let the oldsters celebrate one more time.
maybe they should rename the theater the PH.
Maybe this mess will be a warning for people who have no concern or thought for buildings that were built when beauty mattered, not just utilitarian nonsense. I, for one, see examples every day of success stories that deal with compromise and intelligent reuse of buildings. If it weren’t for the Conservancy we wouldn’t have the Central Library, Bullocks Wilshire, Vibiana’s Cathedral…the list goes on and on. Anyone can take a look around and see that there are acres upon acres of empty flat parking lots around Los Angeles just waiting for new construction. Of course, some people are going to get burned but people die eventually and hopefully buildings don’t have to all the time. Future generations deserve to see what we see now.
Anyone is free to their opinion on this site. I didn’t read anyone saying they had a ‘right’ to choose what ultimately happens with this property. They are simply stating their opinion, just like you, which they do have every right. By the way, what’s the conservatory….a green house or a music school?
I don’t know….I think Kermit was a bastard child. Luckily, he made his way in the world.
I wouldn’t mind seeing ‘Fiddle Dee Dee’, but for my money I’d probably choose Ferry, The Human Frog over at the Broadway.
Thanks for the confirmation. I guess I haven’t seen the HPOZ sign yet walking through Carthay Circle. I’ve only seen one example in the neighborhood where they demolished a home and put up some kind of crazy looking 3 story Disney castle that looks like it fell from space and landed there. At least the rest of them are safe now.
which corner was the Picfair on? NW, SW, SE, or NE of Pico & Fairfax? I can’t find a page for it on here and every corner at that intersection has been demolished. I know that Fairax used to run right into Pico and then you had to jog over to get back onto Fairfax. Now they have made it a large curve.
I live in South Carthay on the south side of Olympic in a historical preservation overlay zone(HPOZ) but Carthay Circle is still not protected. It’s amazing that the neighborhood looks as original as it does.
I guess when they rip down that many buildings to build those two monstrosities the addresses get all jumbled up.
Here’s an interesting article on that early color process. This quote from the page is especially interesting:
View link
“Kinemacolor was a moderate success in the early 20th century. It made millions in Europe but was completely stymied in the U.S. due to the shenanigans of the Patent Trust, an organization of film producers that worked desparately to prevent outsiders from making an inroad in the film business. The Patent Trust was the main reason why independant producers migrated from the U.S. east coast to California.
I posted this above but here it is again…it shows the exact location of the theater.
View link
Actually, the first link you posted is where the actual theater stood. The second link is where there was a row of stores and the large garden for the theater behind.
from imdb:
Marie Doro
Date of Birth
25 May 1882, Duncannon, Pennsylvania, USA
Date of Death
9 October 1956, New York, New York, USA. (heart ailment)
Birth Name
Marie K. Steward
Spouse
Elliott Dexter (1915 – ?) (divorced)
Trivia
Stage actress.
She had portrayed the role of Oliver Twist on stage before she appeared in the movie of the same name, in a critically successful production.
That makes sense….I still can’t find anything about the actual demolition.
There’s a big billboard over it on the larger picture for the Belasco….did he have something to do with the Optic or was he just being a jerk?
I’m trying to find a demolition date but the wording in this article is confusing….I don’t understand what ‘improved with’ means:
(Dec. 2, 1924)
NEW ORPHEUM TO RISE SOON
Work on what is to be the largest and finest theater in the Orpheum chain of showhouses will be started withing the next thirty days at 838 South Broadway at a cost in excess of $1,000,000, it was announced yesterday by Joe Toplitzky, representative for the building syndicate. Bids for the contstruction of the building will be accepted in about three weeks when working plans by Architect G. Albert Langsburg will be completed. Present plans provide for the erection of a twelve-story and basement structure, Class A and of steel frame and reinforced concrete construction, with an auditorium to seat 2300 persons. The site, with a frontage of 138 feet on Broadway and a depth of 148 feet to an alley, is now improved with the Mission Theater and a parking station.
Call this number for confirmation…. (323) 463-6819 It sounds like the message was recorded in Old Delhi.
I found a chunk of brick from the southwest corner of the block and took it home. I’m letting myself believe that it was part of the Westminster Hotel. Be careful looking over the fence….there are piles of human you-know-what all around the perimeter. I almost ruined my shoes.
I think after this place opens it should be on a separate page since its not the same theater at all. It’s the same situation with the Tower Theater replacing the Garrick Theater on the same footprint.
I would go to the library in Hollywood and find a nice librarian who will tell you the correct places to find the information. They might even have some of the info at the library or at the Central Library downtown.
I’ve been watching them dig up the parking lot where the Hippodrome and the Westminster Hotel once stood for the past few weeks. It’s fascinating because it looks like an archaeological dig. After they removed the parking lot and started digging down, all of the foundations for these buildings have appeared and are now being demolished. I guess the buildings had basements because there are deep trenches with brick walls that are being demolished. There are huge piles of ancient bricks and broken up concrete walls all over the lot now. I wish I could get a couple of those bricks for a souvenir.
Joe, from the sept. 4, 1919 article above, I think the theater closed then and was turned into a men’s club with a gymnasium. It was probably then turned completely into a gym. The 1920 article had another part that made it sound as though they just let the oldsters celebrate one more time.
does the card catalog list a section and page number?
Joe, how did you find the article? I keep looking through the paper for that day and can’t find it.
Here’s a photo I took last weekend of the Balboa with its new paint job. I wonder if some type of marquee will be replaced.
View link