Christie Hotel

Christie Hotel
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
The building in 2024
Location of building in Los Angeles County
Location	6724 W. Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California
Coordinates	34°06′04″N118°20′13″W / 34.101°N 118.337°W / 34.101; -118.337
Built	1922
Architect	Arthur Rolland Kelly
Architectural style	Georgian Revival
Part of	Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District (ID85000704)
Designated CP	April 4, 1985

Christie Hotel, formerly The Hollywood Inn and The Drake, is a historic eight-story building at 6724 W. Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California. Considered Hollywood's first skyscraper ^[1] and also its first luxury hotel, ^[2] the building features Georgian Revival architecture and has been described as "an excellent example of its style" by the United States Department of the Interior. ^[3]

History

Christie Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, 1928

Built in 1922, the Christie Hotel was designed by Arthur Rolland Kelly and owned by the Christie brothers, ^[2] two of early Hollywood's most powerful movie moguls who also owned the nearby Christie Realty Building. ^[4] The building, considered Hollywood's first skyscraper and also its first luxury hotel, was state-of-the-art for its time period, and consisted of 100 guestrooms, each with steam heat and an individual bathroom. ^[5]

In 1933, due to the effects of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression, the Christie brothers's companies were forced to file for bankruptcy. Assets, including this hotel, were sold away. ^[6]

Between 1933 and 1974, the hotel exchanged hands several times, at one point operating as The Drake and another point The Hollywood Inn. ^[1] In 1974, the Church of Scientology purchased the building for $1.25 million ($7.97 million in 2024) ^[7] and remodeled it into their information center, with apartments on the upper floors. ^[8]

In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with Christie Hotel listed as a contributing property in the district. ^[3]

Architecture and design

Christie Hotel is made of brick and features Georgian Revival architecture, with classical proportion and detailing evident in the massing and decorations. The building is divided into three towers, each of which has a dormer with rounded pediments that project above the roofline. The United States Department of the Interior considers the building "an excellent example of its style." ^[3]

See also

• List of contributing properties in the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District

References

1. "Early Views of Hollywood (1920 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 2. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
2. "The Christie Hotel - Hollywood Historic Site". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
3. "Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. April 4, 1985.
4. "Christie Realty Building - Hollywood Historic Site". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce . Retrieved August 18, 2024.
5. "Current Projects: Christie Hotel". NOVA Hotel Renovation & Construction. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
6. "Charles Christie". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. October 25, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
7. "Hotel Christie, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database . Retrieved July 2, 2024.
8. "Scientology's Historic Hollywood Holdings". Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 2, 2024.