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All photos courtesy of “The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows – The First 100 Years” by Robert S. Anderson, available at www.thebeverlyhillscollection.com.
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The Beverly Hills Hotel’s unique history
October 18, 2019
It’s thanks to The Beverly Hills Hotel that bean fields and a barren hillside were transformed into one of the world’s most famous cities.
Let’s go back to the start
The Beverly Hills Hotel was originally owned by Margaret Anderson and opened on May 12, 1912. This was two years before there was even a city called Beverly Hills. There are not many hotels able to claim that the city they are in was literally built around them.
The grand vision
The idea was to create a hotel for people to stay at while looking at property to buy in the local area, somewhere that would entice them to relocate. When Margaret Anderson opened the hotel her motto was, “Guests are entitled to the best of everything regardless of cost!” Today, we still pride ourselves on offering our guests the very best.
Realising a dream
The hotel was built for a total of $500,000 with the help of architect Elmer Grey, and promoted as ‘halfway between Los Angeles and the sea’. Up until this time only six homes had been constructed in Beverly Hills. It wasn’t until 1914, once the hotel had been firmly established, that Beverly Hills officially became an incorporated city.
Celebrity success
In 1920, Douglas Fairbanks and his wife Mary Pickford moved to ‘Pickfair’, their house built on 18 acres of land above the hotel. This was the turning point for Beverly Hills becoming recognised as one of the most sought-after addresses, as many stars followed their lead.
Past meets present
Who better to share the legacy of our hotel than the original owner’s great grandson, Robert S Anderson. The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows – The First 100 Years, written by Robert S Anderson, has just been relaunched and offers a fascinating look at the many stories behind our legendary hotel.
Los Angeles
The Beverly Hills Hotel
For over a century, The Beverly Hills Hotel has been the spot for Hollywood’s brightest lights, the ultimate beacon of glamour. She greets you like a movie star from the moment you pass the iconic signage, step onto the signature red carpet and enter the grand lobby. Welcome to the legacy.
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