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(SITE OF) HOTEL HOLLYWOOD
Northwest corner of Hollywood and Highland
(Architect unknown; 1905)
Built by Myra Hershey, a member of the Pennsylvania chocolate family, the Mission Revival style Hotel Hollywood was the first major hotel in the area and served as the residence of many of the film community's stars. The hotel was torn down in 1956.
MAX FACTOR BUILDING
1668 Highland Ave.
(S. Charles Lee, architect; remodeled 1931)
Theater architect S. Charles Lee turned two plain buildings -- a furniture warehouse and an automobile service garage -- into a statement of sophistication for the Hollywood location of the Max Factor Company. The uniqueness of the structure -- a combination of the popular Art Deco styling and French Empire -- was not limited to its exterior as, in the salon, Factor specially decorated rooms that would complement the complexion and hair colors of the patrons.
HOLLYWOOD FIRST NATIONAL BANK
6777 Hollywood Blvd.
(Meyer & Holler, architects; 1927)
This fanciful combination of Gothic and Art Deco was created by the same architects who designed the Chinese Theater. This structure was briefly the tallest in the city -- until the Los Angeles City Hall was built in 1932.
BANK OF AMERICA/RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT
6780 Hollywood Blvd.
(Morgan, Walls & Clement, architects; remodeled 1935)
This classically-detailed building was originally a four-story apartment building. The classical facade was added in the 1920s. In 1935, the top three stories were removed to create the building as it is today.
HOLLYWOOD THEATER/GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS MUSEUM
6764 Hollywood Blvd.
(Claude Balch, architect; 1913/1931)
The oldest theater in Hollywood began as the Idle Hour Theater in 1913. It was remodeled to its Art Deco appearance in the 1930s -- and now houses the GuinNess Book of Records Museum.
MONTMARTRE CAFE
6753-63 Hollywood Blvd.
(Meyer & Holler, architects; 1922)
This cafe and nightclub on the second floor of a financial institution sparked the nightlife of the Hollywood community in the early 1920s. The restaurant was frequented by fans and stars alike.