HOLLYWOOD, CA — A fire late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Jan. 4, left the former Hollywood Center Motel in ruins. The historic Sunset Boulevard structure, a century-old landmark, was well known as a filming location for the movie "L.A. Confidential."
According to FOX 11, the building was vacant when the fire broke out. Fire investigators have not yet determined what caused the blaze. Despite the destruction, the Cultural Heritage Commission still plans to go ahead with a previously scheduled tour of the site.
The loss of the building has drawn sharp criticism from local preservationists. Kim Cooper of Esotouric called the fire a "pointless loss" caused by "demolition by neglect"—a term used when a property is allowed to fall apart until it can no longer be saved. Cooper said she blames the city for refusing to hold property owners accountable for the condition of the building.
Brian Curran of Hollywood Heritage said preservationists had urged the city council and building department to secure the site after community members repeatedly raised concerns. Before the fire, nearby residents reported that the fenced-off property had become a place where trash piled up and people camped illegally.
Following the fire, the office of Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez announced it is working with city departments to lock up the site and manage public safety concerns.
This is the second time in three months that a historic Los Angeles landmark has burned down, part of what preservationists call a troubling series of fires at vacant historic sites. The motel, built in 1905, had received frequent safety warnings before the blaze.
