Tag Archives: Ambassador Hotel
Aerial photo of the Ambassador Hotel under construction, Los Angeles, 1920
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 … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Ambassador Hotel, Hotels, Wilshire Blvd
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Evening shot of the Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles (undated)
I don’t know when this photo of the Ambassador Hotel was taken, or who took it. But I like to think it was someone out for an evening stroll, all gussied up in their snazzy clothes after an evening dinner … Continue reading
Angelenos attend the 17th Annual Candlelight Ball at the Cocoanut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, December 12, 1952
It’s hard to tell in a black-and-white, photo, but it looks like the Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel was decked out in white for the 17th annual Candlelight Ball. It appears to have been a fundraiser for the … Continue reading
An orchestra entertains Ambassador Hotel guests while standing in the Lido swimming pool during an outdoor dance, circa 1920s
No wonder they called it the Roaring Twenties with this sort of shenanigans going on. This shot was taken at the Lido pool at the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd. It’s undated, but by the looks of the clothes, I’d … Continue reading
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Tagged Ambassador Hotel, Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Swimming pools, Wilshire Blvd
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An American Airlines aircraft on display in the gardens of the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 1937
From Dave DeCaro’s always-fascinating Davelandweb.com site, comes this interesting shot. If you’re American Airlines and you want the public to see your latest aircraft, you need to find a location with plenty of space. The gardens out front of the … Continue reading
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Tagged Airports Aircraft Airlines, Ambassador Hotel, Hotels, Wilshire Blvd
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Aerial view of the Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 1940
This 1940 aerial view gives us a whole different perspective of the Ambassador Hotel which stood on Wilshire Blvd at Alexandria Ave. The hotel opened in 1921, when the land along that part of Wilshire Blvd was cheap and plentiful, … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Ambassador Hotel, Brown Derby, Churches, Hotels, Restaurants, Wilshire Blvd
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Looking east along Wilshire Blvd from the Gaylord Apartments at Kenmore Ave, Los Angeles, 1928
In this photo taken from the Gaylord Apartments (which are still around) on Kenmore Ave we’re looking east along Wilshire Blvd in 1928, when the Immanuel Presbyterian Church (also still around) was under construction. We can see the shape of … Continue reading
Entrance to the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Once—just once, is that too much to ask?—I would have loved the chance to walk through this ornate entrance (look at the detailed artwork around the arches and columns) and into the famed Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel … Continue reading
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Tagged Ambassador Hotel, Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Movie Stars, Nightclubs, Wilshire Blvd
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Empty Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Ambassador Hotel, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Most photos of the Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel show it crowded with funseekers, which makes for great atmosphere, but also makes it hard to see what the famous nightclub itself looked like. This photo shows us how big … Continue reading
Gus Arnheim Orchestra, Cocoanut Grove at Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, 1932
One of the names most often associated with the Cocoanut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel was Gus Arnheim, whose orchestra and a three-year engagement in the late 20s/early 30s. He was also instrumental in helping to get Bing Crosby’s … Continue reading
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Tagged Ambassador Hotel, Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Hotels, Nightclubs, Wilshire Blvd
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