Making up for lost time and missed opportunities, one adventure at a time.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query grecian. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query grecian. Sort by date Show all posts
November 15, 2021
Photo Essay: The Greek Theatre, Upon Griffith Park's 125th Anniversary
Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated the 3000-acre parcel of land that's today known as Griffith Park to the City of Los Angeles back in 1896—125 years ago. But in 1919, he also carved out some money for two specific construction projects inside the park boundary: Griffith Observatory and a Greek-style outdoor amphitheater.
September 10, 2023
Photo Essay: The Nirvana Apartments, A Vivid Hollywood Version of the 'East'
I can't tell you how many times I've passed by The Nirvana on Orange Drive in Hollywood, either on my way to the parking structure at Hollywood & Highland (now Ovation) or heading home from The Magic Castle.
But I never noticed its pagoda roofline—or any of the strange, eclectic decorative details that adorned the four-story, brick-clad apartment building.
October 14, 2018
Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of the Brownie, Upon Its 125th Anniversary
I love a good old hotel, and I'll always choose to stay and/or eat in one over the latest, hippest, most modern accommodations.
So, while I chose to stay at the Allerton Hotel by Chicago's Magnificent Mile, I was eager to check out the Palmer House—the longest continually operating hotel in the country.
The Palmer House that stands in the Chicago Loop today is actually the third iteration of the hotel—the first having been built across the street in 1871, just 13 days before succumbing to the Great Chicago Fire.
The second (the world's first fireproof hotel) was built in its current location two years later—and hosted "The Greatest Banquet in American History" in 1879, held in honor of Ulysses S. Grant, hosted by Mark Twain, and attended by Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, and even Buffalo Bill.
It was one of the first Chicago hotels to contain passenger elevators, advertised as "a vertical railroad"...
...as well as in-room telephones and incandescent bulbs.
The third iteration, designed by the architectural firm of Holabird and Roche, replaced the second at the same site in 1925, increasing its height from seven to 25 floors.
In celebration of Bertha Honoré Palmer's French heritage and the time she spent in France with the likes of Monet, the Palmer House is decorated in the style and period of the French Empire. The Grecian frescoes on the ceiling of the gilded lobby were created by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal.
The statue of Romeo and Juliet at the entrance dates back to the French Empire, though it wasn't installed at the Palmer House until the 1920s.
By 1945, the Rococo landmark attracted the attention of its next owner, Conrad Hilton—hence it being known since then as The Palmer House Hilton.
But the real significant date in all of the hotel's timeline is the year 1893. The World's Fair (then known as the Columbia Exposition, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival) was in full swing, and Bertha needed a dessert for a group of women who were attending the exposition. She wanted something cakey that could be cut into squares and portable.
And so, the chocolate brownie—with walnuts and apricot glaze—was born.
The hotel still uses the same recipe to serve the iconic brownie in its eateries—including at the Lockwood Restaurant and Bar, where you can get it as part of a marshmallowy ice cream sundae.
Tours of Palmer House are available once monthly and give access to the hotel's archives and museum room, which is otherwise locked. The timing didn't work out for this trip, but if it does for the next, I'll be back.
But this time around, I really just went for the brownie.
Related Post:
Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of the Caesar Salad, Upon Tijuana's 129th Birthday
So, while I chose to stay at the Allerton Hotel by Chicago's Magnificent Mile, I was eager to check out the Palmer House—the longest continually operating hotel in the country.
The Palmer House that stands in the Chicago Loop today is actually the third iteration of the hotel—the first having been built across the street in 1871, just 13 days before succumbing to the Great Chicago Fire.
The second (the world's first fireproof hotel) was built in its current location two years later—and hosted "The Greatest Banquet in American History" in 1879, held in honor of Ulysses S. Grant, hosted by Mark Twain, and attended by Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, and even Buffalo Bill.
It was one of the first Chicago hotels to contain passenger elevators, advertised as "a vertical railroad"...
...as well as in-room telephones and incandescent bulbs.
The third iteration, designed by the architectural firm of Holabird and Roche, replaced the second at the same site in 1925, increasing its height from seven to 25 floors.
In celebration of Bertha Honoré Palmer's French heritage and the time she spent in France with the likes of Monet, the Palmer House is decorated in the style and period of the French Empire. The Grecian frescoes on the ceiling of the gilded lobby were created by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal.
The statue of Romeo and Juliet at the entrance dates back to the French Empire, though it wasn't installed at the Palmer House until the 1920s.
By 1945, the Rococo landmark attracted the attention of its next owner, Conrad Hilton—hence it being known since then as The Palmer House Hilton.
But the real significant date in all of the hotel's timeline is the year 1893. The World's Fair (then known as the Columbia Exposition, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival) was in full swing, and Bertha needed a dessert for a group of women who were attending the exposition. She wanted something cakey that could be cut into squares and portable.
And so, the chocolate brownie—with walnuts and apricot glaze—was born.
The hotel still uses the same recipe to serve the iconic brownie in its eateries—including at the Lockwood Restaurant and Bar, where you can get it as part of a marshmallowy ice cream sundae.
Tours of Palmer House are available once monthly and give access to the hotel's archives and museum room, which is otherwise locked. The timing didn't work out for this trip, but if it does for the next, I'll be back.
But this time around, I really just went for the brownie.
Related Post:
Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of the Caesar Salad, Upon Tijuana's 129th Birthday
April 18, 2021
Photo Essay: Soaring With Butterflies at South Coast Botanic Garden
I first encountered butterflies up close—really up close—in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Conservatory, maybe 20 years ago.
I've spent the last couple of years chasing the annual monarch migration—just when the species has become so critically endangered, the millions of butterflies have dwindled down to thousands, hundreds, or even just dozens.
July 22, 2012
Photo Essay: City Hall at Sunset (Updated for 2017)
Last Updated 7/16/18 3:29 PM PT
During the summer, the Los Angeles Conservancy (of which I am a proud member) hosts weekly "sunset" tours of various Downtown LA attractions on Wednesday nights.
Although the Summer Wednesday tours are actually shorter in duration than the regular Saturday morning tours, there is one destination only available on Wednesday nights: City Hall.
Municipal buildings always interest me, partially because of their restricted entry policies, but also because they don't often receive a lot of attention when it comes to preservation and restoration.
Built in 1928, City Hall's grandiose hallways - including the rotunda with its ornate ceiling and tremendous chandelier - are awe-inspiring, and in great condition.
You can even walk to the upstairs balcony to get a closer view.
What a rare treat to be able to walk around a city government building like City Hall...
...an architectural crown jewel of historic Downtown LA...
...as a civilian...
...at night.
Its Grecian and Romanesque design elements keep the eyes cast upwards.
Take the elevator to move the entire body up to the 26th floor, and then walk up one more flight to get to the top for an even bigger treat...
...visiting the observation deck that wraps around the entire 27th floor of the building...
...giving views not only of the Downtown skyline...
...but also the Magic Hour sunlight reflecting off the mountains in the distance.
Sometimes I like to visit a place during both day and night...
...since changes in light make such a difference on how you view anything (a building, a trail, whatever)...
...but I can't imagine a better time to see LA's City Hall,..
...or see LA from City Hall.
Related Posts:
Underneath the City (Hall)
Downtown LA's Upwards Build into the Open Air
Photo Essay: Transforming the View of LA
During the summer, the Los Angeles Conservancy (of which I am a proud member) hosts weekly "sunset" tours of various Downtown LA attractions on Wednesday nights.
Circa 2017
Although the Summer Wednesday tours are actually shorter in duration than the regular Saturday morning tours, there is one destination only available on Wednesday nights: City Hall.
Circa 2017
Municipal buildings always interest me, partially because of their restricted entry policies, but also because they don't often receive a lot of attention when it comes to preservation and restoration.
Third floor rotunda, ceiling
You can even walk to the upstairs balcony to get a closer view.
What a rare treat to be able to walk around a city government building like City Hall...
Spring Street entrance, interior
...as a civilian...
Corridor
East Lobby, Third Floor
circa 2018
John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340
Window latch, 27th floor observation deck
27th floor observation deck
Bell, 27th floor observation deck
27th floor observation deck
27th floor observation deck, facing northeast
Spring Street entrance forecourt
Related Posts:
Underneath the City (Hall)
Downtown LA's Upwards Build into the Open Air
Photo Essay: Transforming the View of LA
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