TRAVEL BY NIC…….The
Perpetual Tourist!
I think I’ve mentioned before that I LOVE architecture and I
love being a member of the LA Conversancy.
With my membership I was able to take a tour of the historic hotel for
$5 / $10 for non members. The Conversancy
offers tours of the Biltmore on Sundays only and the tour lasts about 2 hours. We meet at Pershing Park right across the
street where they point out that the hotel had its grand opening in 1923. If I remember right it was 10 million to
build and at the time it was the largest hotel west of Chicago. As we walk around the outside of the hotel we’re
able to see the additional tower that was added years later. With the addition of the Biltmore tower, I
found it interesting that they were able to use bricks from the same quarry as
the original building. At that time they
also offered added covered parking and place for their guest to pull in off the
street. Because of the tower some of the interior was altered. But trust me you won’t be disappointed with
the beauty you find when you walk inside.
Inside you will find the Biltmore angel everywhere. Remember to look up! Every ceiling is breathtaking. Inside you will find frescos, murals, carved
marble fountains, oak paneled walls, lead crystal chandeliers.
The tour did give us access to several of the ballrooms. Each ballroom had its own personality and
beauty. The Emerald Room was once the
hotels main guest dining room. There you’ll
find beautiful wood work and the décor features images of hunt and harvest with
hand painted animals and fish on the cast plaster ceiling beams. Next to the Emerald room you’ll find the Gold
Room that used to be 2 rooms separated by columns. When it opened it was a dining room for the
elite. In the later years it became a room with an
upper & lower level. It soon opened
as a night club and during the prohibition era had hidden liquor compartments and panels can
be found. Along the ceiling press photographers
would hide cameras in secret compartments to capture the Hollywood elite at the
club. It is decorated with a gold cast
plaster ceiling. The entrance to the
Gold Room as a beautiful gilded gate that was installed when it because a club.
At the other end of the Galleria you will find the Tiffany
Room, beautiful in its own right but….it is just the drop off point for the
Crystal Ballroom. The Crystal Ballroom
is the crème de la crème of beautiful ballrooms. You will find several balconies looping
around the room. Remember to look
up! There you will find a hand painted
mural on the ceiling that was created by Giovanni Smeraldi known for his work
in the Vatican & the White House. We learned that the mural had to be hand
cleaned because of all of the cigarette smoke that had damaged it; I found it
interesting that they used buttermilk to preserve it! It was a natural way to protect the precious
mural. The Austrian crystal chandeliers are 12 feet across in size. Here’s the history I found most interesting
about this room; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in
this very room! Louis B Mayer met to
discuss plans for the Academy awards, and it was in that room that Cedric
Gibbons grabbed a linen Biltmore napkin and sketched the design for the Oscar
statue!! Eight Oscar ceremonies were
held in the Biltomore Bowl during the Academy’s early years of 1931, 1935-39
and 1941-42. In 1977 Bob Hope hosted the
Academy’s 50th Anniversary in the same banquet room.
Being the movie buff that I am wanted to know what movies had
been filmed at the hotel. I’m sure there
is a long list, but the ones that stood out….Ghostbusters! Pretty in Pink was filmed in the gorgeous
Crystal Ballroom. Some other familiar
films: A Star is Born, Splash, Bachelor Party, Beverly Hills Cop, True Lies,
Independence Day, Ocean’s 11, Bugsy, Wedding Crashers, Italian Job, National
Treasure and Spider Man! I also noticed
some episodes of 90210 filmed in the Gold room and the Rendezvous Court. Glee also did a scene in Rendezvous Court. As I mentioned the hotel has been around for
so long, I’m sure there are many more movies filmed there!
Rendezvous Court is where the original lobby was prior to the
tower being built. Organically it had a Gentleman’s
lounge off of it, but now you’ll find a restaurant next door. The Rendezvous Court’s staircase is the 1st
thing that takes your breath away as you enter!
The decor is described as Moorish Revival. The ceiling is painted with 24 carat gold
accents. You will also find two original
imported chandeliers from 1923 and a grand Spanish baroque revival bronze
doorway. The astrological clock, at the
stop of the staircase, still keeps time
today. Today the lobby features a tea in
the afternoon that runs $35 a person.
We also enjoyed the beauty of the current lobby. We viewed the bar off the lobby that takes
you back in time. They have a hallway
near the office that features awesome historic photographs. The Galleria is the main hallway that is
breathtaking….remember to look up! We
were not able to view the Biltmore Bowl, it was destroyed by fire and at the
time they did not bring it to its former grandeur. From what I understand that was the largest
of all of the ballrooms. Because the rooms was sooooo large instead of splitting
it in 2 horizontally, they spilt it in 2 vertically! Isn’t that crazy?! It must have been huge!
Because of my passion for architecture, I loved this
tour. If this is up your alley, I highly
recommend spending $25 and joining the LA Conversancy, you’ll have lot of
opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our city.
Wanna hear about the good eats?!
Philippes – 1001 N Alameda, Los Angeles, CA
Philippes is a historic landmark that has been family owned
and operated since 1908. It’s located
just 1 block from Union Station and Olivera Street. They are famous for their French dip
sandwiches, and they’re proud to say that the menu hasn’t changed. They offer beef, ham, turkey and lamb French
dip sandwiches.
Folks come to Philipes for the nostalgic feel. It still retains its original furnishings,
wooden stools, sawdust floors and hand painted menu board. Downstairs you’ll find the communal tables
where you can people watch upstairs you will find a quieter atmosphere where it
is easier to chat. I loved the old 1927
candy counter and a row of telephone booths.
So happy to have experienced an LA keepsake! Highly recommend it!
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