Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel facts for kids
The Hollywood Knickerbocker Apartments is a famous building in Los Angeles, California. It used to be a fancy hotel called the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel. Now, it's a home for older people. This building has a long and interesting history, especially with the movie industry in Hollywood.
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History of the Knickerbocker
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The building was designed in 1923 by an architect named E.M. Frasier. It was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was first planned as the Security Apartments but didn't open then.
The building was finished in 1929. It was then named the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel. This happened in June 1929.
A Hotel for Hollywood Stars
The Knickerbocker Hotel became very popular with people from the early movie industry. Many famous and dramatic moments happened there.
On Halloween in 1936, the wife of the famous magician Harry Houdini held a special event. She tried to contact him from the hotel roof.
In 1948, the famous filmmaker D. W. Griffith passed away after being found at the hotel. He was on his way to a hospital. Some people think the actor Rudolph Valentino visited the hotel bar often. But this is not true, as the hotel opened after he passed away in 1926.
Famous Guests and Moments
The hotel stayed glamorous through the 1950s. Many well-known people visited or stayed there.
- Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio often met in the hotel bar. They were a very famous couple.
- On December 1, 1954, a TV show called This is Your Life surprised the comedy stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. They were in room 205 of the hotel. They were relaxing with friends who helped with the surprise.
- Elvis Presley stayed at the hotel in Room 1016. This was while he was making his first movie, Love Me Tender (1956).
On March 3, 1966, the actor William Frawley had a heart attack. This happened after he saw a movie on Hollywood Boulevard. He was taken to the hotel lobby, where he passed away. He had lived in the hotel for almost 30 years. However, he had moved out a few months before this happened.
In 1968, musician Graham Nash was staying there. He was picked up by Cass Elliot to meet Stephen Stills and David Crosby. This meeting led to the famous band Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Later Years
In 1970, the hotel was changed. It became housing for senior citizens. This means it became a home for older people.
In 1999, a special plaque was placed in the lobby. It honors the filmmaker D. W. Griffith.
