Hollywood & Vine is an intersection known the world over as the heart of the entertainment capitol of the world. During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Hollywood & Vine was home to many of the most famous nightclubs, theaters and restaurants. Located nearby are motion picture studios, television studios, recording studios, radio stations, and theaters for stage performances.
The Hollywood Taft Building was built in 1924 as the first twelve story, height-limit building in Hollywood. The opening was a major event in Hollywood, attracting motion picture stars in attendance including Jack Dempsey.
The Hollywood Pantages Theater opened in 1930 as the largest movie palace in Hollywood and the first Art Deco Theater in the United States. The industry’s most prestigious award ceremony, the Academy Awards for Excellence in Motion Pictures, was held at the Pantages Theater from 1949 to 1959. Also in 1930, then president of Universal Pictures Corporation, Carl Laemmle built The Laemmle Building on the NW corner of Hollywood & Vine with restaurants, storefronts, and large billboards overlooking the boulevard. Over the years, it’s tenants included the famous Sardi’s Restaurant, Coco Tree Cafe, Melody Lane and Pig N’ Whistle.
Capitol Records was formed in 1942 and the Brown Derby’s table number 32 was labeled the ‘song writers’ booth. In 1954 the world’s first circular office building, The Capitol Records Building, rose 13 stories over Hollywood & Vine.
By 1945, Hollywood & Vine was the star-studded center of show business. Celebrities danced the night away at the Brown Derby, Clara Bow’s “It” Café, and Al Levy’s Tavern. They met their fans for breakfast at Tom Breneman’s restaurant, Tropics Café, from which live interviews were broadcast on national radio. Art Linkletter’s television show, People are Funny, used the corner to interview the ‘man on the street’, while Ralph Edwards and his television show, Truth or Consequences, filmed stunts along the boulevard. When World War II ended there were celebrations all over Hollywood, but it was the corner of Hollywood & Vine where the celebrations made history by shutting down the streets.
Today, Hollywood & Vine is still recognized as one of the most famous corners in the world. For the first time in over 40 years, the corner will be donned with a significant venue that follows in the footsteps of Hollywood tradition.
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