From the moment it opened its doors on January 1, 1921, the Ambassador Hotel became a focal point for LA’s social life, especially at its premier nightclub, the Cocoanut Grove. This aerial shot shows it under construction in 1920. Wilshire Blvd is the street running from near the top of the left-hand side upwards toward the top right-hand corner. The spot where the original Brown Derby is an empty field, which isn’t surprising because a lot of the surrounding land is open. No wonder the Ambassador was considered a country resort when it opened!
These days, the Ambassador Hotel site is occupied by a large complex known as the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools. This satellite image is from January 2020. No more open fields!
I will always hold a grudge against the LAUSD for rejecting the proposal to convert the Ambassador into a school facility. What an opportunity for kids to learn about Los Angeles history, simply by going to school in one of the city’s most historic places.
What part of the building would the coconut grove have been??? Can you point that out please. Thanks Martin
Don’t quote me on it, but I believe it faced north, which is the top left-hand corner of the vintage photo.