The herald., 1894-03-11
HOW TO GET A TOURIST HOTEL,
A Plan of Action Which Ap-
pears Feasible.
A Communication of Interest to
Progressive People.
The Site, Style OF Building, Euvi-
rOnments and Coat OonsId-
cred with n Line OF
Campaign.


communication
Referring to the excessive need OF Los
Angeles for a large new hotel, l beg
leave TO submit few ideas tending to q
successful solution OF this much vexed
problem. l will not rehash the facts
that demonstrate the urgent demand for
an elegant. commodious and picturesque
hotel in our city, and will therefore start
from the conceded premise that the
greatest necessity of Los Angeles today
ie a caravanHary in every particular in
keeping with modern styles and de-
mands.
In this connection the 6rst consdera-
alton is
THE SITE.
This must be accessible to all classes
OF patrons, the pleasure-seeker as we'll
as the business man, because it will
take the patronage OF all classes to make
any large hotel erected in Los Angeles
paying enterprise. 1t must be central
and reached directly and quickly from
all parts of the city by the different
lines OF street cars. And still its envi-
ronments must be so treated as to dis.
gulse its commercial side as much as
possible, 30 that it may be acceptable
TO the tourist and pleasure-seeker. Now,
IS 1t possible to secure this com bination
in Los Angeles? l answer, Yes, and in
this way: Secure for the site of the
hotel both the Temple block and the
old courthouse, and connect the hotel
buildings with an artistic bridge from
the second story. 1t is doubtful if there
is such another site for a hotel in any
city in the United States. These blocks
have four fronts, without requiring the
building up of an area that makes the
cost prohibitory, and then about all the
rooms in these hotel buildings could be
''outside rooms" which lie a great desi-
deratum to the hotel proprietor as we'll
40 to the guests.
THE STYLE OF THE BUILDINGS.
In appreciation of the early history Of
the state and its romantic side, the ar
chitecture should be of Moorish Span
ish style. The Alhambra or some of
the old castles in Spain should be fol-
lowed in treatment OF the detail, which
should be consistent, and not have an
architectural alteration" as ia so fire.
quently the case in such matters.
THE ENVIRONMENT.
Then the space or square on and from
Court Street and along Main street to
Commercial street on the east, and
from Court street along Spring to the
north line of the Downey block On the
west, should be termed "New SPAIN"
or some other appropriate designation,
and the architecture OF every building
fronting the cite OF the hotel should be
changed to conform to the general idea
of making the representation of a mag
nifcent Spanish quarter at this place.
The frontH of the stores should be
changed and the EMISSION archn and
''arcsde" should be very much in evil
dence all along these streets. Spanish
tile should show from every roof and
cornice, and artistic iron lamps of
Moorish pattern, drinking fountains and
statuary should take the place OF un-
slightly telegraph, telephone and electric
light and trolley poles. When l say
etatuary, do not mean such inartistic
efforts as have made San Francisco
ridiculous in artiats' eyes. This, how
ever, is a mere outline, and the imagin-
alton can easily fill in the details OF the
decorations for the buildings and the
surrounding square, amusem ents and
sources OF recreation and the marts of
trade that will be creatsd and enhanced
by such surroundings. Besides, such q
plan consistently carried out would soon
become a feature OF national repute, as
much so as the Ponce de leon hotel Of
Florida. And such a notpeiaty will be
needed for the hotel erected here, which
must compete with Del Monte, Coro-
naGo, Raymond and Redondo.
THE COST.
At first blush this looks like very
expensive plan, and so it is in many
respects, but a careful consideration of
the cost and material and labor for the
character of construction contemplated,
causes me to venture the assertion that
the whole plan of construction, includ-
ing the alterations of the fold buildings
to conform to the idea set forth, would
not cost more than $500, 900. And the
result would be series OF buildings and
improvements that for comfort, conven-
fence and attractlons would not be ex-
ceiled anywhere. OF course, embelIish-
ments could be added that would run the
cost up almost indefinitely.
HOW TO ooNsUMMATE THIS PLAN.
Now, the important matter of secur-
ing this result is the next question.
1t cannot be done by the passage
of sets of resolutions by the
clique that run the So called ''cham Der
of commerce" but it must be done by
the property holders in the immediate
locality of the proposed site by forming
joint stock company and raising the
necessary money to establish the enter
prise. The Messrs. Newmark, Mr. Cohn,
Mr.. Bullard. Mr.. Phillips, the Lam
franco estate, Mr.. Mesmer. Mrs. Jones
and all the property holders in this
vicinity should by this time see the
handwriting on the wall' and be i'm.
pressed by the necessity Of come plan to
preserve the value of their property
from the drifting away of the business
center from this section, and as they
are ali liberal and enterprising citizens
(that is, | believe they all have this
reputation) they should enter heartily
and literally in such an enterprise.
Furthermore, venture the further
assertion that il the property holders
will take hold OF some such plan as
herein outlined, know of responsible
architects and contractors who will nm
dertake the work have outlined within
the figures named, and | also know of
responsible parties In the city of Los
Angeles who will lease. furnish and CON