In this rather striking aerial we’re photo, looking west along Wilshire Blvd from Sycamore Ave. It was taken around 1930 when a good proportion of the land north and south of Wilshire was still undeveloped. In the top right hand corner we can see the oil wells pumping up black gold in what would later become the Park La Brea apartment community, which has over 4,200 residential units. These days, we call this section of Wilshire “Miracle Mile” known for its museums and department stores. But back then, it was all at least a decade in the future.
John J. said: “The empty land was all owned by the Hancock family and has little to do with “development.”Today the land is filled with LACMA and the Page museums. The area to the west of the park was Sportstown, where the LA automobile show and many circus’ were held until WW II. The other properties on Wilshire that has been built up was done through court cases against the Los Angeles planning commission to allow businesses on what was meant to be a residential street! The big change in the photo came when the Hancock’s donated the oil fields to UCLA, who then held a contest to design modern housing, which is what Park La Brea was. I could also add that the insurance buildings that line Wilshire are from the 70s and 80s when the city of LA let them build with huge tax subsidies! Otherwise almost everything in the photo is still here!”
This is roughly how that view looked in December 2023. We can see the towers of Park La Brea in the top right corner.
Interesting, seeing those wells at LA Brea, it made me think of that scene in The Two Jakes, where Gittes goes to talk to Otley.
Yes! I do, too!
What a view! Many years back at I worked at 3333 Wilshire Blvd, across from the old Ambassador Hotel. I’d sometimes spend my lunch hour there. What a landmark! The Miracle Mile is a great area, of course if you don’t mind the traffic. That 1930 vintage photo showing all the available land and vacant lots is what lots of Hollywood stars bought back in the day. The true Hollywood star made their money off real estate, not movies. The studios made the money, so you invested in real estate. Never forget the story about actor Francis Lederer, who at one time owned most of Canoga Park! Amazing Grace!
Lucky you to have visited the Ambassador! It was closed by the time I arrived in LA. What years were you working at 3333 Wilshire.
Martin, that was around 2002 and 2003. I was an assistant manager at a telemarketing company. To tell you the truth, I was so caught up in my work, I didn’t realize the Ambassador was across the street until one day I took a look-see. Amazing! The grounds were well kept, but the place looked old and was probably due for the wrecking ball. All the Hollywood history in that building, all overshadowed by Bobby Kennedy’s death there. What a shame.
Martin, one more thing. I think after Bobby’s death there, the Ambassador was cursed. Its been said many times. It turned into more of a place for morbid on-lookers than the entertainment mecca it was originally designed to be. The biggest tragedy of all because it could have been restored and still around to this day.