Crossroads of the World facts for kids
|
Crossroads of the World
|
|
Crossroads of the World in 2005
|
|
| Location | 6671 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Robert V. Derrah |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000805 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1980 |
Crossroads of the World is a very special outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles, California. You can find it on Sunset Boulevard. It's famous for its main building, which looks just like a giant ocean liner (a big ship!). Around this central building, there's a small village of cute, cottage-style shops.
This unique place was designed by Robert V. Derrah and built in 1936. Many people say it was America's very first outdoor shopping mall! While it was once a busy shopping spot, today it mostly holds private offices. Many of these offices are for people who work in the entertainment industry. This includes music producers, script writers, film companies, and casting agencies. The current owner is planning to update the site.
Contents
History of Crossroads of the World
The story of Crossroads of the World began in 1931. After her husband, Charles H. Crawford, passed away, Ella Crawford decided to build something special. She wanted to create an outdoor market that felt like a "permanent world's fair." It would have a fun, international feel.
She hired Robert V. Derrah, a talented architect. He was known for his Streamline Moderne style. Derrah was also working on the Coca-Cola Building at the time.
Designing the Unique Mall
Derrah designed the main building to look like a ship. The smaller buildings around it were made to represent different countries. When it first opened on October 29, 1936, the complex had:
- 57 shops and cafes
- 36 offices on the upper floors
The Crossroads of the World wasn't a huge success right away. However, its design became a great example for other outdoor malls built later around the world.
Crossroads as an Office Hub
In the 1950s, Crossroads of the World changed. It became an office complex instead of a shopping center. Many famous people and groups rented offices there. These included the Screen Actors Guild, the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, singer Jackson Browne, and even the famous director Alfred Hitchcock.
In 1977, a real estate investor named Mort La Kretz bought the property. He worked to restore it. Later, in 1985, Michael Perricone started Interlock Studios there. This was a company that worked on sound for movies and TV. It stayed in Bungalow 1522 until 1998.
Future Plans for Crossroads
In January 2019, the Los Angeles City Council approved a plan to update Crossroads of the World. The goal is to make the area more lively. The plans include building:
- Three tall buildings
- About 950 new apartments and condos
- A hotel with 308 rooms
- Over 190,000 square feet of space for businesses
Some people who care about old buildings were concerned about these plans. They felt it would change the look of Hollywood too much. The project also plans to include over 100 apartments for families with lower incomes.
Famous Reproductions
Did you know there's a copy of Crossroads of the World? You can see a reproduction of its famous tower and spinning globe. It's located right inside the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida!
