A reel revitalization in Hollywood

by Josh Marks, September 29, 2007

Strike up the band and start playing “Hooray for Hollywood” because Tinseltown is making a comeback.

For year tourists visited Hollywood searching for the glitz and glamour associated with the entertainment industry, only to be universally disappointed by the sad reality of the area. Replacing the major studios, classic movie palaces and thriving street life were prostitutes, seedy shops, neglected landmarks and general urban blight -- the Hollywood dream had turned into a nightmare.

Today a walk along Hollywood’s major boulevards reveals more construction cranes than crack addicts. The area’s decline is being reversed with recent attempts at revitalization and the results are beginning to show. This fabled district is undergoing a major rewrite of its script and here are some of the cast members playing lead roles in this Oscar-worthy performance:

Hollywood & Vine

This historic intersection is experiencing major growth with a high-profile project currently under construction. The 1600 North Vine development consists of 375 apartment units (including 78 affordable units) and a 305-room W Hotel with 143 adjoining condos. There will also be new restaurants, retail stores and improvements to the Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line station. The project is expected to be completed in 2009 at a cost of $600 million.

Hollywood & Highland

The massive 387,000-square-foot Hollywood & Highland complex opened in 2001 and is home to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, site of the Academy Awards. The center also includes 75 retail stores, the Highlands nightclub, restaurants, a movie theater and the 637-room Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. The three-story courtyard at the center of the complex is a recreation of the set from D.W. Griffith’s 1916 silent film “Intolerance” and offers views of the Hollywood Sign.

Sunset & Vine

This mixed-use development located along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame was completed in 2004 and includes street-level retail and 300 residential units. The complex is anchored by a Borders Book Store and a recreation of the historic Schwab’s Drug Store. Another big project is underway on the east side of Vine as CIM Group is converting the 20-story Sunset & Vine Tower into 59 luxury apartments and 7,000 square feet of retail space.

Blvd 6200

The Clarett Group is set to break ground next March on a 1.1 million-square-foot mixed-use project. The development will be located along seven acres of Hollywood Boulevard from Argyle to Centro Avenues. The project calls for over 1,000 apartment units in addition to retail and office space.

Sunset Gower Studios

The legendary 17-acre lot was built by movie mogul Harry Cohn as Columbia Pictures in 1921. Now Hollywood’s largest independent studio is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion. Among the improvements is modernization of its 12 soundstages, 300,000 square feet of office space, expansion of the parking structure and a six-story building to house Technicolor’s post-production facilities. With this facelift, President and CEO Robert A. Papazian hopes to lure film and TV productions back to Hollywood again.