Unveiling West Hollywood‘s Colorful Past
Discover the Fascinating History Behind 8439 and 8477 Sunset Blvd
A Journey Through Time
Once an Unincorporated haven for less-than-legal activities, West Hollywood‘s history is as captivating as it is notorious. Nestled between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, this iconic area became a playground for vices like gambling and prostitution, thanks to its celebrity-laden foot traffic along Sunset Blvd. The 1920s saw the rise of speakeasies and gambling halls on what we now know as the Sunset Strip, cementing its shady reputation.
8439 Sunset Blvd: The House of Francis
You may have driven past the Italian Renaissance revival-style building at 8439 Sunset, but did you know it was once home to the “classiest brothel on the Sunset Strip,” the House of Francis? Madam Lee Francis catered to Hollywood‘s biggest names, with her alluring courtesans earning up to $1,000 a week during the Depression. Legends like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Spencer Tracy, and Jean Harlow were among her clientele, and rumors even suggested that MGM had a corporate account here.
The End of an Era
Madam Francis managed to thrive by generously sharing her earnings with law enforcement and elected officials. However, her reign came crashing down in 1940 when she was arrested and convicted of operating a house of ill repute. Her memoir, “Ladies on Call: The Most Intimate Recollections of a Hollywood Madam,” immortalizes her exploits.
Rod Stewart’s Sojourn
8439 Sunset passed through several hands until rock star Rod Stewart and a partner acquired it in the 1970s. Stewart later became the sole owner but had a change of heart after a harrowing robbery in 1982. Today, the building, now known as Piazza Del Sol, houses offices for renowned movie production companies like Miramax and a trendy Japanese restaurant.
The Clover Club and the Changing Times
The Sunset Strip was once home to numerous concealed gambling dens, but the grandest of them all was the Clover Club at 8477 Sunset. Hidden behind mirrored doors, it hosted celebrity gamblers who could wager up to $10,000 in a single night. In 1949, a crackdown on vice dens reshaped the landscape, pushing gambling rings towards the bright lights of Las Vegas. Tragically, the Clover Club was reduced to ashes in a fire in 1952.
A Modern Twist: Urbn Leaf West Hollywood
Today, 8477 Sunset Blvd. houses Urbn Leaf West Hollywood, the Sunset Strip’s first legal adult-use cannabis dispensary. A testament to changing times, it’s a far cry from the vice-ridden past. Explore West Hollywood‘s captivating history, where every corner has a tale to tell. #WestHollywoodHistory #SunsetStrip #HistoricalTales
