Do you love architecture, or seeing buildings from your favorite film scenes? Hollywood is chock full of these as many productions had shot scenes in and around the neighborhood. This post presents 9 Hollywood iconic buildings.
Whether you are planning a visit Hollywood, or if you live here but haven’t noticed these monuments to see in Hollywood, this list is for you. In our research to develop a Tourist Scavenger Hunt in Hollywood, we’ve come across much information, some of which can only be gleaned when doing the actual scavenger hunt.
However, we also wanted to share some of that information with you for your visit planning. Here 9 Hollywood iconic buildings.
Top 9 Hollywood iconic buildings
Roosevelt Hotel- This 1927 landmark is a beautiful example of Spanish colonial design. At one time it welcomed all of Hollywood’s A-listers. It’s worth walking into the downstairs lobby to see the architecture and design. If you have a chance to see the Tropicana Pool, it presents a wonderful mural by famed British painter David Hockney.
- This hotel served as the set for not only Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), but also The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989), Internal Affairs (1990) as well as Almost Famous (2000).
- Of course, the very first Oscars ceremony took place here as a private dinner for only 250 attendees. In fact, entry cost the stars only $5. Moreover, the ceremony lasted only 15 minutes and was not televised!
- As a matter of fact, Marilyn Monroe stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel for 2 consecutive years in suite 1200!
- You will find the Roosevelt Hotel located at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Orange Dr.
- Hollywood Melrose Hotel
- Located on Melrose Ave at Wilton Pl., south of Hollywood Blvd, the Hollywood Melrose Hotel is a redbrick 1927 hotel with original bathtubs in rooms and suites. Designed by architect S.Charles Lee, this is now a historic landmark and member of the National Register of Historic Places.
TCL Chinese Theatre- The world-famous Chinese Theatre, built by Sid Grauman in 1927, is a great place to catch the latest movie, ideally, in the main theatre. However, most people come here to see the hand and/or foot imprints of approximately 200 Hollywood stars.
- The Chinese Theatre served as the backdrop for many scenes in Blazing Saddles (1974) and Singing in the Rain (1952).
- You will find it located on Hollywood Blvd at Orange Dr. You can take a tour of the theatre or actually see a film here.
- Taft Building
- The Taft Building is located at the southeast intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Indeed, this twelve-story building first opened in 1923. Architects Percy Eisen and Albert R Walker designed this 1st high-rise office building in Los Angeles. Not to mention, it has now been designated as a World Heritage Site.
- Built over the Hollywood Memorial Church (torn down), it represents an example of Classical Revival architecture. Not only did Charlie Chaplin and Will Rogers have offices here but also did the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Capitol Records Building- You will find the Capitol Records Building, owned by Universal Music Group, on Vine one block north of Hollywood Blvd. Capitol Records represent many well-known artists such as Katy Perry, The Eagles as well as The Beatles. It also represents Sam Smith, The Beach Boys, Avenged Sevenfold, Frank Sinatra together with the Beastie Boys.
The Egyptian Theatre- This 1922 movie house built by Sid Grauman, the same man who later built the El Capitan and the Chinese Theatre. The American Cinematheque faithfully restored the Egyptian Theatre in 1998, including a large inner courtyard featuring columns and hieroglyphs. Today you can see here classic films on the big screen.
- The Egyptian is also on Hollywood Blvd near N.McCadden Pl.
- Yamashiro
- Originally built in the 1920s as a private art museum, this Japanese-style palace today serves as a well-rated Asian restaurant overlooking Hollywood. In fact, the restaurant serves Japanese, Korean and Chinese traditional fares.
- The Yamashiro stands in Hollywood Heights above the Magic Castle and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
- The Knickerbocker Hotel
- The Renaissance Revival / Beaux Arts style luxury apartment building opened in the 1920s and became a hotel soon after. It played a key role in Tinseltown history for decades.
- Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio honeymooned here in 1954. Equally, other celebrities have been regulars of the Knickerbocker include Harry Houdini, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Mae West, Laurel & Hardy, as well as Cecil B. DeMille.
- The Knickerbocker Hotel resides on Ivar Ave just north of Hollywood Blvd, 1 block west of Vine St.
Crossroads of the World- Located on Sunset Blvd between Cassil Pl. and Las Palmas Ave, Crossroads of the World opened in 1936 as L.A.’s first modern shopping mall. Indeed, the centerpiece resembles an Art Deco ocean liner with portholes, railings, and life preservers. Moreover, an outdoor village of small old-European-style bungalows surrounds the Crossroads.
- Today, an office complex calls the Crossroads of the World home which includes art galleries and a few retail shops.
We invite you to try our Hollywood Tourist Scavenger Hunt. It is a 2-hour guided walking tour throughout the heart of Hollywood you do on your mobile phone (how it works). It only costs $30 for your group. Moreover, you will enjoy seeing Hollywood iconic buildings and much more while completing challenges and learning about Hollywood’s history.
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