Four historic Sunset Boulevard buildings may be lost to developers as the real estate boom spurs construction of thousands of new housing units in Hollywood. Preservationists are vowing to take developers to court if certain landmarks are threatened to be torn down, the Los Angeles Times reported. But real estate brokers say Hollywood has an office shortage. "Hollywood is one of few places in L.A. that can elegantly accommodate growth," said Tom Cody, a principal at home builder Gerding/Edlen Development Co. The site of the Nickelodeon Theater, which dates back to the Great Depression and once featured Ziegfeld Follies-style dancers, is slated for residential development, Another location is the Columbia Square broadcasting complex, constructed in 1937, which has been the home of television stations KCBS-TV Channel 2 and KCAL-TV Channel 9 and radio station KNX-AM (1070). A third site is the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant, dating back to 1924 that has been an acting school and radio station for KMPC-AM (710). Finally, there’s the 66-year-old Hollywood Palladium, which would be developed with residences, stores and a hotel.
UPI
It is so sad that so many buildings in old Hollywood are being torn down by people who have no appreciation for the history.
