Hollywood: Half Empty or Half Full?

Hollywood has undergone a facelift over the past few years. There’s a huge new shopping complex, new entertainment attractions and restaurants, increased security and cleaner properties. But not everyone is sold on the so-called Hollywood Renaissance. So the Business Journal asks:

Are you spending more time in Hollywood, and if so, what do you think of it?

Doug Herzbrun

Managing Director

CB Richard Ellis Investors LLC

I’m up in the Hollywood Hills, and I’ve lived in that area for 20 years. Over the first 10, I had no reason to go down there. Since the renovation efforts, I have been spending more time there. I’ve gone to the Hollywood & Highland complex, Amoeba Records and the ArcLight theater, but I’m still waiting for them to develop a broader scale of attractions. I like The Grove better; it’s my regular hangout spot because there’s better shopping and it’s a more attractive environment.

Rex Cook

Executive

Creative Director

AvatarLabs

Hollywood the entertainment industry is such an important part of the California economy, so people who travel from all around the world to see Hollywood and find it’s a dump are obviously disappointed. Over the past 10 years, the area has become bigger and better and some of the luster is slowly being restored. I definitely go out of my way to watch epic movies, like “Lord of the Rings,” in Hollywood at the Mann Chinese or the ArcLight, two of the best theaters in Los Angeles.

Bruce Gellar

Managing Partner

Insignia/ESG

I’ve gone down there for specific events, to Hollywood & Highland and the Pantages Theatre, but other than that I haven’t really hung out. I don’t feel it’s that inviting yet. The area still has a perception of crime and lack of cleanliness. The Grove is an example of a really inviting and safe environment. But there’s a huge difference between The Grove, which is owned by one guy (developer Rick Caruso) who basically built his own little city, and Hollywood, which is challenged by multiple owners with different agendas. It’s going to be a tough area to reinvent, but I’m all for their efforts.

Trista Delamere

Actress

No. I don’t go anymore than I used to. It’s more tourist-friendly now, but I’m not a tourist. Traffic issues are a deterrent, especially around Hollywood & Highland. I do go to a couple of classes on Hollywood Boulevard and I like to support local businesses there. I’ll go to the specialty stores, the wig shops and costumes shops and every once in a while you have to go see a movie at Mann’s Chinese. It’s an event.

Jim Kaplan

Publisher

Studio City Sun

I had a four-year absence from Hollywood between 1998 and 2002, but now I do see a difference and I go to Hollywood more often. Although the side streets are still pretty bad, it’s a lot better than it was a few years ago. It used to be nothing but scary people but that’s changed. There are clubs, a lot of music and great food and it looks like there is some gentrification taking place.

Susan Henderson-Hernandez

Senior Vice President of Marketing

Sizzler USA

I have not spent more time in Hollywood, for no reason other than my time has been needed elsewhere. I’ve been terribly busy and haven’t made it out there.

Richard Stambul

Attorney

Law Office of Richard A. Stambul

We don’t go there more than before. We go to Musso & Frank for breakfast because that’s old nostalgic Hollywood and it’s fun. We go to see music, to the Hollywood Bowl. To me it’s mostly a tourist attraction that’s full of busy crowds I don’t want to be around. I would love it if they could revitalize it to make it more interesting to locals.