Garden Court Apartments
in the 1920s
in the 1920s
One of the many places that absolutely fascinated me in Hollywood was the Garden Court Apartments, located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. It was one of my favorite historic buildings. Designed by architect Frank Meline, it opened in 1917. In the 1920's it was a posh residence - four stories, 190 rooms, two ballrooms, a billiard room, and tennis courts. It also contained a wide display of priceless antiques and paintings.
In it's heyday the Garden Court Apartments were inhabited by such luminaries as Clara Bow, John Gilbert, Rudolph Valentino, Mae Murray, Tom Mix, and Mack Sennett.
(Marilyn Monroe supposedly lived there early in her career, but I can't confirm this).
(Marilyn Monroe supposedly lived there early in her career, but I can't confirm this).
I also heard a rumor that silent screen actress Lillian Gish once lived there. When I corresponded with her (she was then in her nineties) I mentioned this. She told me that she didn't remember ever living there.
A glimpse of the interior
I had the privilege (or perhaps adventure?) of living there briefly when I was twenty and first came to Hollywood. At that time it was more like a quasi-hotel rather than an apartment, and I only stayed there for about a month.
Old photo of the Garden Court Apartments
located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard
A glimpse of the interior
I had the privilege (or perhaps adventure?) of living there briefly when I was twenty and first came to Hollywood. At that time it was more like a quasi-hotel rather than an apartment, and I only stayed there for about a month.
By then it was nothing but an ancient, deteriorating relic - - hopelessly outdated and largely forgotten. I had a great love for the place simply because it had such a rich, glamorous history.
I was amazed that it was still in existence. The building once stood alone on a lush, sprawling property. By the time I discovered the Garden Court it was sandwiched in among other buildings and seemed completely out of place on Hollywood Boulevard. For a brief time, there was a gay movie theater next door called The Bijou. Later it became a shop that sold Turkish rugs.
Long before it was engulfed by the ever-expanding businesses on Hollywood Boulevard
After the Garden Court Apartments was closed in 1980, it became a creepy and dangerous haven for runaway teens, derelicts, prostitutes, and drug addicts and was aptly dubbed "Hell Hotel".
The place was completely trashed and set on fire numerous times. Rapes, beatings, and attempted murders were common occurrences inside the once-lavish walls.
Me - and a few other hardcore Hollywood aficionados - desperately tried to keep the building from being demolished. Actress Debbie Reynolds attempted to buy the place and turn it into a museum. All of our pleas fell on deaf ears and the building was demolished in 1984.
I remember the very last time I saw the Garden Court Apartments. It was a late summer night in 1984 when I walked past it. A temporary chain link fence had been constructed around the building to keep people out - but I saw a few ghouls lurking in doors and windows.
Me - and a few other hardcore Hollywood aficionados - desperately tried to keep the building from being demolished. Actress Debbie Reynolds attempted to buy the place and turn it into a museum. All of our pleas fell on deaf ears and the building was demolished in 1984.
Rare old photo of the front of the Garden Court, looking out towards Hollywood Boulevard
I remember the very last time I saw the Garden Court Apartments. It was a late summer night in 1984 when I walked past it. A temporary chain link fence had been constructed around the building to keep people out - but I saw a few ghouls lurking in doors and windows.
Security guards? Or a few obstinate derelicts?
Some of the ornamental figurines along the outside top of the first floor had already been knocked down. I really wanted to have one as a souvenir, but I didn't want to climb the fence and risk getting caught.
Some of the ornamental figurines along the outside top of the first floor had already been knocked down. I really wanted to have one as a souvenir, but I didn't want to climb the fence and risk getting caught.
I lament the grim fact that the golden Hollywood of yesteryear has crumbled, turned to ashes, and is largely forgotten - - like the mighty walls of ancient Babylon.
Jon
I, too, would be drawn to the Garden Court Apartments. That's interesting about Debbie Reynolds' efforts; I wonder why her proposal was shot down.
ReplyDeleteYour closing paragraph is epic. I don't know why some people with money and power think it necessary to destroy something that's not necessarily to their liking. Thank God that mindset doesn't exist in Europe. Yet.
It seems like the wealthy bigwigs were determined to tear the place down, no matter what. The old Hollywood that once existed has been completely dismantled and destroyed by greedy foreign investors and American businessmen who couldn't care less about historical preservation.
DeleteWhat a fascinating story about the Garden Court. You could almost see Norma Desmond coming down those stairs! I bet that place had some 'ghosts'. If those walls could talk! That's really great you were actually able to stay there if only for a month. Do you know what occupies the space now? So many of our beautiful, historic structures have met the wrecking ball. Sad.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
I haven't heard of any Garden Court ghost stories, but I have no doubt that they probably exist. After the place was torn down, a new modern building was built there. It was called the Hollywood Galaxy and was some sort of film industry museum - - but it was eventually closed in 2007. I have no clue what is there now.
DeleteThe old golden Hollywood that once existed is almost entirely gone.
I would never want to go back.
What a fantastic apartment building the Garden Court was in its day, Jon! I was so intrigued by your post that I read more online accounts. Its unfortunate that it was demolished by the last owner, despite being listed on the National Historic Record and later designated as a landmark historic cite. How wonderful for you to have at least had the chance to be in it before it was gone.
ReplyDeleteIt's really strange (and infuriating) that it was demolished despite being on the National Historic Record. It's possible that the building was in such disrepair that it would have been too costly to renovate.
DeleteSadly, most of the old historic Hollywood landmarks are now gone. Greedy foreign investors (and American business owners) have taken over the place - and none of them seem to care about preserving history.
WOW, what a HUGE building! And so exquisite, too! I would have enjoyed seeing that in person!
ReplyDeleteIt was an elegant and impressive structure and it's a shame that it had to be demolished. Unfortunately, it fell into decay over the years. I'm sure it would have cost an enormous amount of money to renovate it.
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