Park Plaza Hotel (Los Angeles) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Park Plaza Hotel |
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Park Plaza Hotel Building
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| Location | 2400-2416 W. 6th St. 603-607 Park View St. |
| Built | 1923-24 |
| Architect | Curlett & Beelman |
| Architectural style(s) | Art Deco |
| Designated | 1983 |
| Reference no. | 267 |
The Elks Lodge No. 99 / Park Plaza Hotel is a famous building in Los Angeles, California. It is now known as The MacArthur. You can find it at 607 Park View Street, close to Wilshire Boulevard and downtown Los Angeles. The building was finished in 1926. It was designed by a talented architect named Claud Beelman. He later became very well known for his Art Deco designs.
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Contents
History of the Park Plaza Hotel
What Was the Building Used For?
This grand building was first built for a group called the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E). The Elks were a large club with many wealthy and powerful members in Los Angeles. You can still see a brass sculpture of elk antlers above the main entrance. It is part of the clock there.
The building had 169 hotel rooms. But it was mostly designed for the Elks' many activities and events. It had beautiful rooms inside, including a huge ballroom. This ballroom could also be used as an auditorium for shows. There were also many dining rooms, a gym, a swimming pool, and a bowling alley.
The Building's Unique Design
The building's style is a mix of different ideas. It has classic columns and arches. It also features cool Art Deco details. The overall shape is symmetrical, like Beaux Arts buildings. It also has a stepped shape, like a skyscraper.
The building was created to honor soldiers from World War I. Outside, you can see special carvings called Assyrian friezes. There are also sculptures of figures in military uniforms. Huge stone warrior angels guard the corners of the building.
Inside, the lobby has an arched ceiling. A famous artist named Anthony Heinsbergen painted it. He worked very hard on his back, just like Michelangelo, to create the amazing artwork.
Changes Over the Years
In the 1960s, the Elks sold the building. Their membership had become smaller. The building was then turned into a fancy hotel called the Park Plaza Hotel. It looked out over the beautiful MacArthur Park. In the 1980s, the hotel became a popular spot for nightclubs.
In 2016, there was exciting news. A group called DCGG Park Plaza announced they would restore the hotel. This is the same group that restored the famous Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.
The Park Plaza Hotel's Location
A Landmark That Lasted
The area around the building has changed a lot over time. It has gone through periods of decline and then renewal. But the Park Plaza Hotel has remained a great example of Beelman's architecture. It still stands strong today.
For a while, the building was empty. It was mainly used for filming movies, TV shows, and music videos. It was also rented for special events. In 1983, the City of Los Angeles made the building a Historic-Cultural Monument. This means it is a very important historical site.
This was a big deal because many other famous buildings on Wilshire Boulevard were torn down. One example is the well-known Brown Derby restaurant. Luckily, the Park Plaza building kept its amazing jazz age style. This made many Los Angeles architecture fans very happy.
Art Inside the Building
The beautiful murals and decorative paintings inside were done by Anthony Heinsbergen and Co. Heinsbergen was a famous painter of many cultural landmarks in Los Angeles. The main design on the lobby ceiling is based on the Villa Madama. This was a Renaissance project by Raphael and Giulio Romano.
About the Architect, Claud Beelman
Claud Beelman (1883–1963) was a very important architect in his time. He started as a simple draftsman in the Midwest in the early 1900s. He worked his way up to become one of the most popular architects in Los Angeles. Many of his buildings are still standing today.
Sadly, Beelman was almost forgotten in modern times. But then, the Wilshire Center and downtown areas of Los Angeles were restored. Because of this, the beauty of Beelman's work has been discovered by new fans around the world.
