What You Can Do
- Connect with the Los Angeles Conservancy.
- Learn more about Sustainability and Modernism + the Recent Past.
11 Most Endangered
Century Plaza Hotel
Year Listed: 2009
Location: Los Angeles , California
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Development
Century Plaza Hotel
The curved façade of the Century Plaza Hotel, looking west from Avenue of the Stars.
Century Plaza Hotel
The Century Plaza Hotel soon after completion in 1966.
Century Plaza Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
Significance
Opened in 1966 as the centerpiece of Century City, the 19-story curved hotel has been a prominent Los Angeles landmark for more than four decades. From its prime perch fronting the spectacular fountains on the Avenue of the Stars, the Century Plaza’s sweeping modern design strongly evokes the exuberant optimism of the 1960s. Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, who would later design New York’s World Trade Center twin towers, the hotel incorporates Yamasaki’s ornamental, textural and sculptural trademarks. Yamasaki also designed the 1975 twin Century Plaza towers, the striking triangular buildings east of the hotel.
According to the National Trust, the energy embodied in the 800,000-square-foot Century Plaza Hotel is the equivalent of 167,000 barrels of oil, a statistic that takes into account the amount of energy used in the construction of the building. If the structure were to be demolished and landfilled, the energy locked up in it would be totally wasted. What's more, the process of demolition would use more energy, and the construction of a new building on the Century Plaza site would require even more.
The Los Angeles Conservancy, founded in 1978 to preserve architectural resources, is leading the charge to save the hotel. Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton, a former board member of the Conservancy and a current trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, participated in the news conference in Los Angeles to announce the 11 Most Endangered listing.
The hotel, which fueled the development of Century City and forged its reputation as a world-class destination, has been a gathering place for celebrities, politicians and world dignitaries since its opening day. Once nicknamed the "West Coast White House," the Century Plaza was a favorite of both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Nixon hosted a celebration for the Apollo 11 astronauts here, while Reagan presided over two presidential victory celebrations in the hotel's vast ballroom and conducted much of his business in the hotel's Presidential Suite while in California.
Updates
April 2009: Currently operating as a Hyatt Regency, the hotel was purchased by Next Century Associates in May of 2008. The new owner promptly called the hotel "a jewel in my hometown" – but less than six months later, the same owner announced plans to raze the building and replace it with two 600-foot towers, which would house a boutique hotel, luxury condominiums and mixed-use space.
The handsome, elegant hotel is in excellent condition and was the beneficiary of a $36 million facelift just over a year ago. The meeting and conference areas have also been renovated and remain among the largest and most desirable convention spaces in the city. The hotel's owners claim their development plan is "part of the greening of Century City," touting the fact that the new construction will be designed with green roofs and environmentally sensitive building materials.
The demolition of a 40-year-old, fully functioning building is not environmentally responsible. The developer propses tearing down a newly renovated, thriving hotel – a landmark of modern architecture – and replacing it with new construction. Because historic preservation inherently involves the conservation of energy and natural resources, it has always been the greenest form of development. Learn more about our Sustainability Initiative.
Site videos produced by Polivision Productions.
Share your memories of this endangered place
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.