Submitted by someotherguy at: December 25, 2010
Someguy- needless to say the world is a lot bigger than Los Angeles. Anything that anyone does here is going to be insignifigant. Somehow I don't think that plowing over that which exists would not be smart when you consider all the costs in terms of the production of materials as an "ego-locical footprint"(pun intended). Better to retrofit what's there.Why break something that ain't broke?

Submitted by execchef at: July 11, 2010
I trained as an apprentice chef at the Century Plaza under Walter Roth. The hotel is grand and is always a destination when I am in Los Angeles. It is a blessing to the city and has brought prestige and elegance and should be preserved. The design of the hotel should last for many years to come it is a beautiful structure and the proposed towers would hardly replace the years of elegance. I know that LA is not the place that preserves its heritage but it should preserve this grand hotel.

Submitted by someguy at: April 25, 2010
This building is an architectural eyesore and frankly I would not care if they demolished anything built between 1966 and 1990. If they want to preserve it they should do so digitally. If they are concerned about energy usage they can use more energy efficient construction methods and incorporate greener climate controls. If you are really concerned about the environment you should be concerned with overpopulation. That is what drives over development and leads to the destruction of the environment. Classifying inefficient 1960's era buildings as heritage sites and putting your faith in technologies such as hybrid cars, hydrogen fuel, and corn make me YOU feel better but they are actually worse for the environment.

Submitted by Hotel lady at: February 17, 2010
Dear hotel guy - historic value is not just bsed on the age of the building but the reasons it is significant. In the US 50 is "historic" per the National Register and other highly significant buildings can be listed even earlier.

Submitted by MCM at: January 12, 2010
I stayed in this hotel a couple of years ago-- it's beautiful! I can't stand the destruction of such wonderful examples of architecture from mid century. To those who say that mid-century modern architecture isn't worth saving...(yes, folks like you, hotelguy), I say go buy some empty land and build your ugly stucco monstrocity somewhere else.... True, it's not been 100 years, but had we the forthought to save prominant turn-of-the-Century architecture before most of it was lost to the ages and greedy developers, we'd have more examples of their beauty. The same holds true for MidCentury design-- why wait until there's none left to save? SO much has already been lost!

Submitted by Jonathan (my reak name) at: November 17, 2009
Living in North Caroilina and having recently visited Calfornia, I can really understand everyones blogs regarding the hotel. I however feel if CA is going to be the leader in substaniable design then you'all need to do a really close look at the demolishon vs the new construction proposed. Personally i think you could retrofit solutions to all of the energy consumption issues for less tahn building a new eocfreindly mixed uses property there. BEWARE OF THE DEVELOPER THEY ARE AFTER ONLY ONE THING AND THAT IS GOOD PROFIT MARINS AT THE END OF THE YEAR REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT TAKES! tHE ARE VERY FEW THAT ARE ACTUALLY CONCERNED WITH THE GOOD OF THE ENVIROMENT.

Submitted by Mr. Lee at: November 9, 2009
When I was younger and working for the major networks, I used to do major press conferences at the Century Plaza. Now as a media CEO, I always stay at the Century Plaza, simply because of the great historical significance of this hotel to Los Angeles and the roots of American broadcasting. Additionally, as a serious lay student of modern American architecture, I understand the deep significance of Minoru Yamasaki and the Gropius era architects. Now that the World Trade Center in New York has been destroyed by terrorism, the Century Plaza stands as one final monument to Yamasaki's brilliance. Anyone who doubts this should read MIT press' "Divided Responsibilities: Minoru Yamasaki, Architectural Authorship, and the World Trade Center, by David L. Salomon in the Spring 2002 issue of 'Grey Room' an MIT architecture publication. To lose the Century Plaza will be to permanently damage the 1960's ambiance of Century City, especially now that the hotel has been restored, correctly, to it's original elegance. Some things should be preserved for posterity, and just as the Roman edifices and even minor bath houses now tell us about the history of Rome, so will structure like the Century Plaza tell future generations about American culture and engineering in the post-modern American era.

Submitted by Rudy at: October 1, 2009
Starwood extensively remodeled the south tower as the St. Regis Los Angeles which had the largest standard rooms for any 5 star hotel in LA. After less than 5 years, the entire building and hotel was razed for a residential condo tower. It's insane that Century City keeps razing its hotels for resdidences. Aren't there enough? We lost the Ambassador, now the Century Plaza? No wonder LA is considered a city with NO history!

Submitted by Philly at: September 25, 2009
philp prestage I also was one of the first apprentice to graduate at this magnificent Hotel. It is the only hotel of its time that served banquets up to 2600 French Style served, employed 100s of waiters full time for years on end.For years it catered to ABC NBC CBS for elaborate menus for 2000 or more there is no banquet kitchen of its kind there were no budget cuts for kitchen design. long live this most unique Hotel in side and out. The CP! was the Mayflower of Western International Hotels 5 star rated.

Submitted by Eric Rose at: September 12, 2009
I was an apprentice chef back in the 60s'-70s' at The Century Plaza Hotel under Executive Chef Walter Roth. This hotel holds many memories for me as well as the other apprentices that graduated with me. This aside, I agree with many of the other posters in that to tear down a perfectly functioning, recently renovated, gorgeous hotel to build over priced condos would be a travesty!! SAVE THE CP!!!!

Submitted by hotelguy at: August 18, 2009
I'm in the hotel business. Older hotels built in this are difficult to operate, use a ton of energy and have high maintenance costs. Hyatt is the operator, not the owner. Respect private property rights and focus on saving buildings for history, it's only 40 some years old, for crying out loud. This is crazy.

Submitted by Jimbo at: August 2, 2009
I can't believe this! I just stayed at the hotel last week and it's incredible! I didn't even know the history until I got there, and after the renovation it's really beautiful. Very classy. If this gets torn down, it's a sin. Doesn't Hyatt have a say in it?

Submitted by Mr Bill at: June 1, 2009
The Guy is a complete idiot.

Submitted by Deb at: May 31, 2009
In 1982 I was a receptionist at an entertainment law firm in Century City, and took a call from Mick Jagger, who was in town for the Rolling Stones' *first* world tour concert to be performed at the Coliseum. He left word for his attorney that he could return the call to the Penthouse at the Century Plaza and gave me the direct number. "Tell him Mr. Jagger called" in that rockstar Brittish accent was just magic to hear. I hung up the phone all starstruck. Later that day a motorcycle messenger delivered to reception a thick envelope. I knew it contained 100 prime seat tickets to next day's concert, compliments of the Stones. As I held the delivery under my desk, I asked the young man "Do you know what you just delivered?" and told him. His dance of frustration with "Oh My God - you mean I was holding those!?!" *exlpetive deleted* [several times]. He begged me to say they never came and he'd split the scalper proceeds with me, but knowing at least two tickets were for me, I quickly nixed his suggestion. It was a cruel thing to do to the delivery guy but the visual still makes me laugh. It was an awesome concert next day, and I always recall that youthful memory every time I drive past the Century Plaza Hotel, which is still every morning on my way to work. Now I'm no longer a receptionst - I'm Executive Coordinator of Legal Affairs in the corporate legal department of a real estate equity investment firm. But I'll always consider the Century Plaza as a place where the stars have always gathered on the Avenue of the Stars. No replacement building could change that history, or those memories. New is not always better. As Jagger sang: "Time is on out side" so please consider strongly heritage over politics. I vote to save the Century Plaza.

Submitted by Former Political Operative at: May 28, 2009
This is a great addition to this years list. I had multiple meetings with Clinton White House staff at White House West in the 90's.

Submitted by TrueAngeleno at: May 1, 2009
I love Los Angeles, and this building is a true landmark. It is one of the few grand hotels that Los Angeles has, and one of the few hotels nationwide that has a true "presidential suite". Historic buildings must be preserved not just for eco-friendly reasons, but also to maintain the city's history and character. Whenever friends & family visit, I make sure to show them this hotel as part of my tour because Presidents, European Royalty, and Angelenos period have stayed and had their events here. Make the Century Plaza last for a Millenium

Submitted by hildy j at: April 30, 2009
My high school prom was at the Century Plaza. I was on the planning committee and remember looking at many other sites, including the Ambassador Hotel, before we selected Century Plaza. To us kids from the Valley it was the epitome of contemporary class. Slick yet fancy, and that sunken dance floor! I remember that night so well, and will always think fondly of the Century Plaza.

Submitted by Les at: April 29, 2009
The Century Plaza is a Los Angeles landmark. In 1966 my brothers Bar Mitvah party was held in one of the ballrooms. In 1967 my father and brothers marched from Rancho Park to the Century Plaza Hotel in a antiwar demonstration while LBJ was inside attending a $1000-a-plate fundraiser. After that demonstration Johnson rarely demonstrated in public again and 9 months after that he decided not to run for reelection. Other presidents stayed their over the years, but my fondest memories were when my Aunt & Uncle would come visit and stay at the hotel. I would spend afternoons with them swimming in the pool and diving off the high diving board. One Labor day my 2 cousins were photographed by the pool for the front page of the L.A. Times. We lived close by in Cheviot Hills and my Mom did her grocery shopping at the Century City Gelsons. I remember one time Richard Nixon landing in a helicopter on the side parking lot next to the hotel. As my mother and I watched it seemed as though hardly anyone was around (no paparzzi)except for secret service and his people. There was also an old airplane that was always parked on that lot. I think 20th Century Fox studios parked it there until the property was bought. I have a life time of memories from this hotel and it makes me so sad. We have already lost the Ambasador Hotel, lets hang on to this landmark. The city already has enough condos.

Submitted by tovarishch at: April 28, 2009
My father worked for Century Plaza Hotel during the 70’s to mid 90’s as a waiter for private banquets. My father viewed Century Plaza not just his place of work, but of historic significance and sophistication. Century Plaza Hotel is a hotel, but a hotel that holds a timeline of historical events in Los Angeles. My father retired from Century Plaza in 1995, and recently passed away in September of 2008. During his retirement years and his illness he talked about Century Plaza as if he had retired yesterday. I am sure that hotel guest, passed and present employees, and the Century City community would be sadden to see Century Plaza Hotel be replaced by ANOTHER set of high-priced condominiums.

Submitted by buzz at: April 28, 2009
I have stayed at the Century Plaza every time I have visited LA> It is truly a magnificent example of modern architecture. It belongs in LA! While I am strongly in favor saving this building, how does the LA Conservancy plan to accomplish this considering the costs involved? Regardless of their plan, they will have to spend untold amounts to again restore it and then to make it economically competitive. I truly salute their efforts which, at this point in time, seem almost insurmountable. It is a goal that must be accomplished. I wish them all the good fortune in the world

Submitted by tp at: April 28, 2009
Usage of the terms "green roof" and "sustainable materials" to justify the demolition of a structurally sound building is like saying I'm going to push my working car off a cliff because I want one with a cup holder.