In 1940, it was decided that the Hollywood Public Library should be moved from its current location at 6357 Hollywood Blvd to 1623 Ivar Ave—so they picked it up and moved it! It looks so stripped down that I have to wonder if it was worth the effort. Wouldn’t it have been easier to start from scratch? According to one report I found, the cost of the whole operation was $72,000, so maybe it was the cheaper option. In the background, we can see the Broadway-Hollywood department store on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. It’s still there, but is now a loft apartment building.
In the 1982 that building was a victim of arson,
replaced by a starkly modern design by Frank Gehry and renamed the Frances Goldwyn Library, after the wife of movie mogul, Sam Goldwyn. This image is from November 2021.
I can’t say I’m a fan of the Gehry building. It seems to be saying, “Stay out!” – which isn’t what a library should say, I don’t think.
Also, it seems odd that two of LA’s public libraries have been targets of arson.
Here’s the thing that confuses me…Is the building that was moved the 2nd library (mission style with tower)? Was it replaced by the mid-century modern one (the one that burned) or is it the same structure…because one source seemed to indicate that the mission structure was moved again to another neighborhood before it also was lost? [ As a child, I used to read books in that “modernized” library, but never did run into Philip Marlowe.]
Grew up down the street from this library and regularly went to the old one before it burnt down in the early 80’s. The middle picture was the facade they built around the original wooden frame of the old, moved library. It was only moved once, burned down, and then they built the modern one (still standing).
Was it worth saving in that expensive move? Definitely.The interior was a beautiful! It was all crafted wood. I seem to recollect that the ceiling on the second floor was vaulted. Somewhere, I have a picture with a bit of the interior, taken when my ballet troupe performed there.