By Jessica Morelock
Located steps from world-famous Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel is on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. As a luxurious Four Seasons hotel, the Beverly Wilshire is hot spot for celebrities and star-studded events. As a landmark hotel of Beverly Hills, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel has an exciting history that you will want to know before you plan your visit.
Opening
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel originally opened in January 1928 as the Beverly Hills Apartment Hotel and began as a gathering place for Hollywood celebrities.
Architecture
Walker & Eisen, the original architects of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, were inspired by a mixture of Italian Renaissance and French neoclassical styles. The hotel has undergone a number of restorations over the years, but the original style still remains.
Name Changes
New owners changed the name from the Beverly Hills Apartment Hotel to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in the 1940s. When the luxury Regent Hotel chain purchased the property in the early 1980s, the hotel was called the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. That name remained until 2006 when Four Seasons (which purchased the property in the 1990s) changed its name back to Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel.
National Register of Historic Places
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 for its exemplary architecture. Additionally, the hotel was a celebrity hot spot, which made it a cultural landmark.
Famous Backdrops
Most people recognize the Beverly Wilshire Hotel because the blockbuster hit movie "Pretty Woman," starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, was taped there. The HBO series "Entourage" also frequently tapes at the Beverly Wilshire.
Famous Guests
Many A-list celebrities and important political figures have been guests at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, including Cary Grant, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Elton John, Mick Jagger and the Dalai Lama.
About the Author:
Jessica Morelock began her professional writing career in 2007, after a three-year stint as a producer and co-host on Sirius Satellite Radio. She has also worked for the airline industry and as a travel agent. She completed a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
