August 28, 2005
Save the Derby!
Members of the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee and other local preservationists have started an organized effort to save the last remaining original Brown Derby Restaurant, which is threatened by demolition. The historic structure, located at 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard (at the corner of Hillhurst and Los Feliz) is currently home to The Derby nightclub and Louise's Trattoria.
Richard Gable of Hillhurst/Los Feliz LLC, (a subsidiary of Adler Reality Investments Inc.) purchased the property in June 2004. The new owner plans to bulldoze the existing building and surrounding fir trees in order to construct a five-story 88-unit condominium complex complete with retail space.
The original idea for the Brown Derby Restaurant is believed to have been the brainchild of Herb Somborn (then husband of actress Gloria Swanson), Wilson Mizner and Sid Grauman. According to legend, in 1925 these individuals were chatting with Abe Frank, manager of the Ambassador Hotel, when Somborn remarked, "You could open a restaurant in an alley and call it anything, or you could even build it in the shape of a hat, and if the food and service were good, the patrons would come flocking." (Mizner's version was that he said to Somborn: "If you know anything about food, you can sell it out of a hat.")
The first Brown Derby restaurant, aka the Little Hat, was opened in February 1926 across the street from the Ambassador Hotel. The Little Hat was often the site of afterparties following the closing of the Ambassador Hotel's Coconut Grove, and was a well-known celebrity hangout during Hollywood's Golden Age. The restaurant was best known, of course, for being built in the shape of a hat.
The Brown Derby soon established itself as a local restaurant chain with the opening of four other locations in subsequent years. The second Brown Derby opened in Hollywood, at 1628 Vine Street near Hollywood and Vine, on Valentine's Day in 1929. Other locations were opened in Beverly Hills across from the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel on Wilshire and Rodeo, and in Crenshaw at the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and Stockard. The Brown Derby's Los Feliz location was the last to be established, opening in 1941. It is the only Brown Derby restaurant still in existence.
Unlike the other Derby restaurants, the Los Feliz Brown Derby was designed as a streamline moderne style car hop and drive-in. The restaurant's design is attributed to architect Wayne McAllister, who is credited with many of Los Angeles' 1940s and 1950s-era coffee houses and drive-ins, including Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake.
The original restaurant building on the site was constructed by Los Feliz resident and legendary film director Cecil B. De Mille in 1928. It first opened in 1929 as Willard's Chicken Inn, which was billed as the "in" gathering place for Hollywood's elite. The restaurant had a dome-shaped roof that actually had an unique purpose. Water pumped to the top of the dome, which then ran down the sides into a moat below, made Willard's Chicken Inn one of the first "air conditioned" buildings in the city.
In 1960, the restaurant Michael's of Los Feliz was opened on the property. It remained in operation until December 31, 1992. The Derby and Louise's Trattoria were started in January 1993. For the opening of these establishments, the property was rehabilitated to create an environment that evoked a lush 1920s and 1930s Hollywood ambience.
Today, the Derby nightclub and Louise's Trattoria remain in operation and open to the public. However, development plans continue and the property owners are expected to apply for the necessary permits and variances for their propject sometime in the near future. At that time, as required by law, the public will have a chance to give their input on the demolition and proposed development project.
Ensure that your voice is heard. Visit http://www.savethederby.com/ for the latest news on this issue and to find out how to help!
Group tries to save L.A.’s last Brown Derby
"To young and old alike, the Brown Derby restaurants have symbolized Hollywood’s "golden days." Now the last remaining of the five Derbys may become a martini-soaked memory..."
Mobilizing to Save Part of the Golden Age of Hollywood
"For decades, the Brown Derby restaurants, a favorite of the stars, dished up Hollywood cachet to the world. Now the last of the five Brown Derbys, which included the famous "hat" on Wilshire Boulevard, is headed for the final curtain call..."
http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2002/02.04.16.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Derby
http://www.the-derby.com/history.html
http://www.sportshollywood.com/hollywoodcobb.html
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