The Hillview

Hillview Apartments
The building in 2024
The Hillview is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
The Hillview
Location of building in Los Angeles County
Location6533 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California
Coordinates34°06′07″N 118°19′56″W / 34.10199°N 118.33226°W / 34.10199; -118.33226
Built1919
ArchitectTifal brothers
Architectural styleMediterranean Revival
Part ofHollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District (ID85000704)
Designated CPApril 4, 1985

The Hillview, also known as Hillview Apartments, Historic Hillview Hollywood, The Hudson Apartments, and The Harlan Residences, is a historic building located at 6533 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Hudson Ave. Considered Hollywood's first artist's high-rise, it was a hotspot during the silent era.

History

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The Hillview was founded in 1917 by movie moguls Jesse L. Lasky, co-founder of Paramount Pictures, and his brother-in-law Samuel Goldwyn, co-founder of MGM. Designed by the Tifal brothers in the Mediterranean Revival style, the building was Hollywood's first apartment complex built specifically to accommodate actors and from 1917 to 1922 was the tallest building in Hollywood. Amenities included a parlor lobby, writing room, ladies waiting room, garbage incinerators, and automatic elevators.[1][2]

During Hollywood's silent era, The Hillview became a local hotspot, with residents that included Viola Dana, Mae Busch, Oliver Hardy, Evelyn Brent, and more. Charlie Chaplin was once the building's proprietor, and the basement was used as rehearsal space until Rudolph Valentino reputedly converted it to a speakeasy.[1][2]

In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with Hillview Apartments listed as a contributing property in the district."[3]

Tenants resided in The Hillview until 1994, when the building suffered structural damage, first from the Northridge Earthquake and later during construction of the B Line. A building fire caused further damage in 2002, at which point the building was saved from destruction and refurbished. Further renovations were performed in 2006, after which tenants filled the building once again.[1]

In October 2009, The Hillview's owner filed for bankruptcy, forcing the building into foreclosure, after which the new owner changed the building's name to The Hudson Apartments. In July 2010, real estate investment group CIM purchased the building for $13 million.[2]

In October 2021, True Urban USA and JCI Development bought The Hillview from Adolfo Suaya for $19.2 million.[4] They then restored the building and renamed it The Harlan Residences.[5]

Filming Location

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The Hillview was featured in the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend episode I'm Making up for Lost Time (season 4 episode 4).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Hudson, Kim (August 8, 2014). "Have You Ever Wondered… Why There's a 1920s-Era Apartment Building Right in the Middle of a Business District?". hollywoodpartnership.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Early Views of Hollywood (1920 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 5. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form – Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". United States Department of the InteriorNational Park Service. April 4, 1985.
  4. ^ "New Owners Plan to Take Hollywood Hillview Apartments Upmarket". therealdeal.com. October 19, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19.
  5. ^ Steven Herrera (April 12, 2022). "Classic Hollywood Buildings Refreshed for New Era". hollywoodpartnership.com.
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  • "The Hillview" (PDF). 19 Mar 2021. Investment Offering Brochure - Lee and Associates Los Angeles West, Inc.