The Hillview
Encyclopedia
The Hudson Apartments is a historical building, located on Hollywood Boulevard
, it is considered Hollywood's first "artist's" high-rise. It 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 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
, better known as MGM. It was one of Hollywood's only apartment buildings at the time willing to rent to aspiring actors, as they were considered a financial risk by most apartment building owners. In fact, it catered specifically to actors. It quickly became a Hollywood hot spot. The vast basement housed a rehearsal space until Rudolph Valentino
reputedly converted it to a speakeasy
. Former big-screen residents include, Mae Busch
, Stan Laurel
and Viola Dana
. Charlie Chaplin
was once a proprietor of the Hillview. Clara Bow
found her first home at the Hillview in 1923. The Hudson eventually slipped into obscurity and went into ruin, suffering structural damage during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Hudson was restored and completely redone by 2005.
In October 2009 the corporation that owns the Hollywood Hillview Apartments filed for bankruptcy and the Historic Hollywood Hillview was forced into foreclosure. The basement lounge club, the restaurant and the gym have been closed since January 2009. The name was also changed to The Hudson Apartments.
In July 2010 Hollywood real estate investment group CIM purchased the building for $13,000,000.
Restoration along the Hollywood corridor from the new W hotel off vine to the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex to the west has not been a boom for business with the The Hudson Apartments.
Hollywood Boulevard
-Revitalization:In recent years successful efforts have been made at cleaning up Hollywood Blvd., as the street had gained a reputation for crime and seediness. Central to these efforts was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and adjacent Kodak Theatre in 2001...
, it is considered Hollywood's first "artist's" high-rise. It was founded in 1917 by movie moguls, Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse Louis Lasky, Sr. was a pioneer Hollywood film producer. He was a key founder of Paramount Pictures with Adolph Zukor, and father of screenwriter Jesse L...
, co-founder of Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
and his brother-in-law Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
, co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
, better known as MGM. It was one of Hollywood's only apartment buildings at the time willing to rent to aspiring actors, as they were considered a financial risk by most apartment building owners. In fact, it catered specifically to actors. It quickly became a Hollywood hot spot. The vast basement housed a rehearsal space until Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
reputedly converted it to a speakeasy
Speakeasy
A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the period known as Prohibition...
. Former big-screen residents include, Mae Busch
Mae Busch
Mae Busch was an Australian film actress who worked in both silent and sound films in early Hollywood. In the latter part of her career, she appeared in many Laurel and Hardy comedies, where she frequently played Hardy's shrewish wife.-Early life and career:Born in Melbourne, Australia, Busch was...
, Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
and Viola Dana
Viola Dana
Viola Dana was an American film actress who was successful during the era of silent movies.- Career :Born Virginia Flugrath, Dana was a child star, appearing on the stage at the age of three. She read Shakespeare and particularly identified with the teenage Juliet. She enjoyed a long run at the...
. Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
was once a proprietor of the Hillview. Clara Bow
Clara Bow
Clara Gordon Bow was an American actress who rose to stardom in the silent film era of the 1920s. It was her appearance as a spunky shopgirl in the film It that brought her global fame and the nickname "The It Girl." Bow came to personify the roaring twenties and is described as its leading sex...
found her first home at the Hillview in 1923. The Hudson eventually slipped into obscurity and went into ruin, suffering structural damage during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Hudson was restored and completely redone by 2005.
In October 2009 the corporation that owns the Hollywood Hillview Apartments filed for bankruptcy and the Historic Hollywood Hillview was forced into foreclosure. The basement lounge club, the restaurant and the gym have been closed since January 2009. The name was also changed to The Hudson Apartments.
In July 2010 Hollywood real estate investment group CIM purchased the building for $13,000,000.
Restoration along the Hollywood corridor from the new W hotel off vine to the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex to the west has not been a boom for business with the The Hudson Apartments.