The developers that purchased L.A.'s Century Plaza Hotel, a swooping mid-century building, planned to raze it and start over. Preservationists fought back, and a new plan has been announced to preserve a significant section of it.
One push towards saving the Century Plaza came from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which included the building on its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places in America.
Martha Groves reports, "As of now, plans call for "sensitive rehabilitation" of the hotel to preserve 400 hotel rooms while converting those on the top floors to 45 condos. Meeting space would be reduced, and a slightly smaller ballroom would replace the existing one. The developer plans to propose other buildings on the site to the rear and/or sides of the hotel and a low-scale structure with some retail shops or restaurants to enliven the front of the hotel."
FULL STORY: Deal spares Century Plaza hotel from wrecking ball
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