Category Archives: Lost Hollywood

After 68 – Remembering the Unforgettable Ambassador in a New Documentary

Posted on August 15, 2013 by

I have risen momentarily from my blog-writing slumber to let everyone know about a wonderful new documentary project by producer/director Camilo Silva called After 68 that’s currently in the works on what is perhaps the single greatest loss of history to ever befall … Continue reading →

Posted in General Announcements, Lost Hollywood, Mid City | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

One Smart Girl – Deanna Durbin (1921-2013)

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Bar none, the best summer job I ever had was as a tour guide at Universal Studios. It was such a thrill running around that famed and historic lot where so many legendary talents had worked. To walk in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brentwood, Interesting People, Lost Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Interlude – Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

Although Paradise Leased is essentially a blog dedicated to Southern California’s historic architecture on occasion we like to veer from the text if we feel it merits doing so. I recently rediscovered a set of photos and plans from one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Hollywood, Paradise Elsewhere | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

So Long Statler – A Cheerless End for L.A.’s Atomic Age Hotel

Posted on June 9, 2012 by

Like the condemned prisoner it is, the old Statler Center/Statler Hilton/Omni/Wilshire Grand Hotel at the corner of Wilshire and Figueroa @ 930 Wilshire Boulevard, at this hour stoically sits awaiting its fate. Unlike any human counterparts, however, there’s no chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Lost Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Lost Hollywood – A John De Lario in the Hills of Beverly

Posted on May 13, 2012 by

Today we remember architect John De Lario for the fine work he did throughout the picturesque Hollywoodland development in the 1920’s. He did so many notable homes there it is easy to forget that De Lario also designed homes and businesses in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architects, Beverly Hills, Lost Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Cool in Concrete – Old Hollywood’s Concrete Bungalows

Posted on April 13, 2012 by

A century ago there was a great deal of excitement over the possibilities of using concrete to build houses – not just for foundations but for the whole house itself. After all, what was there not to like about concrete? … Continue reading →

Posted in Central Hollywood, Lost Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

URGENT!!! Your Help is Needed NOW to Save the Historic Pickford/Fairbanks Studios!!!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

As some of you may have heard, much of the historic old Pickford/Fairbanks/Goldwyn/United Artists/Warner Hollywood Studios (a/k/a The Lot) at Santa Monica Boulevards and Formosa Avenue is threatened with demolition – immediate demolition of some structures unless something is done to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Announcements, Lost Hollywood, West Hollywood | Tagged , , | 10 Comments