Christie Realty Building
{{Short description|Historic building in Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Christie Realty Building
| nocat = yes
| nrhp_type = cp
| partof = Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District
| partof_refnum = 85000704
| image = Wax museum bldg.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = The building in 2024
| location = 6765-6773 W. Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, California
| coordinates = {{coord|34.102|-118.338|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Los Angeles
| map_caption = Location of building in Los Angeles County
| built = 1928
| architect = Carl Jules Weyl
| architecture = Spanish Colonial Revival
| designated_nrhp_type = April 4, 1985
}}
Christie Realty Building, also known as Wax Museum Building, is a historic two-story building located at 6765-6773 W. Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood, California. It is best known for Hollywood Wax Museum, its 1965 to present tenant.
History
Christie Realty Building was designed by Carl Jules Weyl and built in 1928.{{Cite web |title=Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/236d3254-47ee-4b31-9045-c2999cc465f2/ |publisher=United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service |date=April 4, 1985 |language=en-US}} The building was owned by the Christie brothers,{{Cite web |title=Christie Realty Building - Hollywood Historic Site |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=254638 |publisher=Hollywood Chamber of Commerce |accessdate=August 18, 2024 |language=en-US}} two of early Hollywood's most powerful movie moguls who also owned the nearby Christie Hotel.{{Cite web |title=The Christie Hotel - Hollywood Historic Site |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=231703 |publisher=Hollywood Chamber of Commerce |accessdate=July 2, 2024 |language=en-US}}
The building's second story was originally home to the Embassy Club, a private club that catered to film stars looking to avoid the crowds at next door's Café Montmartre, both of which were owned by Eddie Brandstatter.
In 1933, due to the effects of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression, the Christie brothers's companies were forced to file for bankruptcy. Assets, including this building, were sold away.{{Cite web |title=Charles Christie |url=https://walkoffame.com/charles-christie/ |publisher=Hollywood Chamber of Commerce |accessdate=July 2, 2024 |language=en-US}}
In 1946, the Disney-themed restaurant and bar Snow White Cafe opened in the building, where it would remain for 78 years.{{Cite news |title=Historic Disney-themed dive bar in Hollywood abruptly closes |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/historic-disney-themed-cafe-in-hollywood-abruptly-closes/ |publisher=KTLA |author=Josh DuBose |date=June 24, 2024|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Disney-Themed Snow White Cafe In Hollywood Shutters After 78 Years |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/cartoon-culture/disney-themed-snow-white-cafe-shutters-in-hollywood-after-78-years-241689.html |publisher=Cartoon Brew |author=Amid Amidi |date=June 24, 2024|language=en-US}} In 1965, the Hollywood Wax Museum moved into the building, where it remains to this day.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/obituaries/25singh.html?_r=0 |title=Spoony Singh, 83, Dies; Created Hollywood Wax Museum |author=Douglas Martin |work=New York Times |page=A17 |date=October 25, 2006}}
In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with Wax Museum listed as a contributing property in the district.
In 2021, the building was sold for $22 million {{USDCY|22000000|2021}}.{{Cite web |title=6763 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 |url=https://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Property/16443789/6763-Hollywood-Blvd-Los-Angeles-CA-90028/ |publisher=PropertyShark |accessdate=July 16, 2024 |language=en-US}}
Architecture and design
Christie Realty Building features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with street-level arches and Churrigueresque detailing on its second story.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Greater Hollywood}}
{{HBCED}}
Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1928
Category:1920s architecture in the United States
Category:Revival architecture in the United States
Category:Buildings and structures in Hollywood, Los Angeles
Category:Buildings and structures in Los Angeles
Category:Historic district contributing properties in California