A Century-Old Landmark and the Black Dahlia Mystery 🕸️

📍 Los Angeles Historic Landmark I attended an academic conference at the Biltmore Hotel earlier this year and was completely blown away by the opulence of the architecture! Afterward, I did some research and discovered its connection to the infamous Black Dahlia case. 🕵️‍♀️ The Biltmore Hotel , which opened in 1923, was the largest hotel west of Chicago, boasting over 1,600 rooms, 11 floors, and occupying half a city block. The construction took 18 months, and the grand opening attracted over 3,000 socialites. Designed by the architectural firm Schultze & Weaver (who also designed New York's Waldorf Astoria), the hotel was inspired by European palaces, incorporating Beaux Arts and Renaissance Revival elements with a focus on symmetry, luxury, and intricate details. 🏰 The interior features ceiling murals by Italian painter Giovanni Smeraldi, who also worked on the White House, the Vatican, and New York's Grand Central Station. The original lobby (now the Rendezvous Court) has a Moorish beamed ceiling adorned with 24k gold and a massive Spanish Baroque staircase leading to a 350-foot-long gallery. The adjacent Gallery Bar and Cognac Room replicate the royal hall where Queen Elizabeth of Spain heard about Columbus's discovery of America. The Gold Room retains Prohibition-era details like secret exits and hidden panels. I wish I had taken more photos during my conference—sadly, the ballrooms are closed when there are no events. 📸 The Biltmore has deep ties to the film industry. In 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its first meeting here and established the Oscars. The hotel also hosted three Oscar ceremonies in the 1930s. 🎖️ On January 9, 1947, Elizabeth Short, the victim of the Black Dahlia case, was last seen in the hotel lobby on a date with an unidentified man. Six days later, her body was found mutilated and severed in a vacant lot in South Los Angeles. 🌹 In the 1970s, the Biltmore faced demolition but was saved due to its historical and architectural significance. It reopened in the 1980s after a major renovation. Today, this luxurious and historic hotel offers afternoon tea, bar dining, accommodations, conference facilities, and wedding services. 🎉 #LosAngeles #Hotels #Travel #HistoricSites #Mystery #Architecture #InteriorDesign #AmericanVintage