Halo-Halo enticement...

When you are looking for something new and different to eat, run over to Adobo Hut at the corner of Wilshire and Normandie (southwest corner) inside the Food Court and throw your support behind John and Patrick. Recent move-ins, John and Patrick came to the Gaylord this past Fall and opened up their restaurant, just down the boulevard, serving Filipino/Asian cuisine. The reviews are good and from the sample given me, everyone should give it a try. The photo of the Halo-Halo should be enticement enough to get you over there. What a colorful, delicious looking creation!
Mon - Fri, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Sat, 9 am - 3:30 pm

Time for a touch up...

Our friendly Maintenance Supervisor, Freddy, touching up the front of the building early one morning.

Mother Nature blesses us...

It has been a lovely Spring here at the Gaylord with the blooms and colors in our patio area. Be sure to enjoy the peace and quiet of the patio. Take time to reflect.

'WOW' color...

It was a blast of color with a recent floral arrangement in the Gaylord lobby.

Monica pulls no punches...

Our always lively Monica is either a big fan of Olivia Newton John and Jane Fonda or she does not know what year it is. We hope her 'Let's Get Physical' team had a great 5k run.

Butterfinger is still around?!

Butterfinger (the candy bar) is still alive and kicking and dancing! Check out the Butterfinger Defense League on YouTube. Styled/Costumed by our very own vivacious Joanna. Starring Erik Estrada, Lou Ferrigno and one of those 'Bachelor' chicks. You will get a kick out of it. Watch and then go enjoy your Saturday outdoors! It's nice out people.

And keep an eye out for Joanna's handiwork on 'America's Next Top Model.' I hear Andre Leon Talley is a fan of Joanna's work. That's a huge compliment.

for those that enjoy creativity of the darkside...

Sam, one of our more sweetly effusive residents, is doing an internship at this great studio where creatures from other worlds and the dark side come to life. For those of you that enjoy this sort of creativity you will get a kick out of this website. Check it out @ schellstudio.com. Just don't view it right before you go to bed if you are the faint of heart type. Nightmares will sure to ensue.

AND, if you need restoration or creation of your own monsters and goblins, don't forget our own Kelly Delcambre, right here at the Gaylord, to service your needs. You may have seen some of his friends hanging out in our lobby, the Mummy, Frankenstein, the Werewolf, several Star Wars characters. You never know who you will run into in our 'Grand Central' lobby.

Available Units as of 04/21/10...

Two Bedroom/Two Bath - $ 2,400.00/month (coming in May).
One Bedroom - $ 1,350.00 and $ 1,375.00/month (coming in May).
Singles - starting at $ 1,050.00 to $ 1,200.00/month (units AVAILABLE).
Bachelors - starting at a NEW REDUCED RATE of $ 695.00 to $ 880.00/month (units AVAILABLE).
Please inquire at thegaylordlosangeles@yahoo.com or (213) 389-4161.

More Walker and Eisen...

Add the Arcady Hotel, now known as the Wilshire Royale Apartments at the corner of Wilshire & Rampart to the list of Walker and Eisen structures. Originally opened in 1923. I discovered a blue print for a dining room addition at the Arcady Hotel amongst ours, dated 1928. The history and list goes on. You could say Walker and Eisen built this City of Angels!

good breakfast...

Finally took myself and a friend to Bottega Louie for breakfast this morning. Located downtown at 7th & Grand, I felt like I was back in New York inside this place, which is a good feeling. Lots of activity and lots of noise to be found here accompanied by attentive service. AND, good food and a strong cup of coffee. I had the Eggs Arrabbiata - 2 basted eggs in a arrabbiata sauce and aged provolone with Italian sausage on the side. A hearty breakfast. My friend had the Farmer's Market Breakfast which was chock full of fresh vegetables. Also tasty. If you get the chance, check it out. Don't forget to glance at the dessert counter! (Subway stop nearby.)

Tricky Dick's Spirit Lives On! :/

The Two Bedroom Unit that Richard Nixon once stayed in has become AVAILABLE again. This is a 2 Bedroom/2 Bath unit. Over 1200 sq ft! Original details and killer views facing north, south and west. $ 2400.00/month. If you are interested stop by the office and take a tour.

Lofty Heights...

There are some notable buildings in and around the LA area that sit amongst our prestigious Gaylord and share one common denominator. After digging through old blue prints the discovery of the distinguished architects of Walker and Eisen were found! Walker and Eisen are responsible for designing the delicious Fine Arts Building downtown, originally known as the Signal Oil Building which opened in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As well as being the architects of the beautiful Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills (1926), the Breakers Hotel in Long Beach (1926) and the El Cortez Hotel in San Diego (1927).
Most of their work being done in the 20's and 30's, you can still walk around all of Los Angeles and bump into one of their signatures. In fact, you may want to do a tour of their architectural wonders to notice any similarities between the buildings and where they flourished with their aesthetics. Below is a list of some of the existing buildings still standing today designed by Walker and Eisen. Take yourself on this tour and be proud to know you are a part of that history by living in one of their first projects here at the Gaylord.

Hollywood Plaza Hotel, 1631 N Vine St, Hollywood 1924
Wurlitzer Building, 816 S Broadway, Downtown 1924
National City Bank Building, 802 S Spring St, Downtown 1924
Transportation Building, 122 E 7th St, Downtown 1924
The Taft Building, 1680 N Vine St, Hollywood 1924
Havenhurst Apartments, 1861 N Whitley Ave, Hollywood 1924
Edward, Widley and Dixon Building (now the Milano Lofts), 609 S Grand Ave, Downtown 1925
Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills 1926
Breakers Hotel, 210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach 1926
The Fine Arts Building, 811 W 7th St, Downtown 1927
The Texaco/United Artists Theater Building, 929 S Broadway, Downtown 1927
El Cortez Hotel, 702 Ash St, San Diego 1927
James Oviatt Building, 617 S Olive St, Downtown 1928
Bay Cities Guaranty Building, 225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica 1931

Albert Raymond Walker (1881-1958), Percy Augustus Eisen (1885-1946), thank you for the gift of the Gaylord. Many of its residents proudly call this stately building home.

Gaylord Residents Pedal to a Greener LA!

The bicycle rack I had installed in December 2009, behind the patio, has reached full capacity! I am glad to announce that a second bicycle rack is now being constructed to relieve the cramped conditions of this rack and to give room for more bikes. The second rack will be located towards the back of the building by the ramp. The work on this project should be completed soon. (Tenants, please allow us to finish this project before locking your bikes to this new rack.) Keep on pedaling!

And, for those residents living on the backside of the Gaylord overlooking the pool, I hope you have noticed the change in the lighting surrounding the pool. Recently I have repositioned most of the lights skyward into the trees to give a glow to our beautiful, cloverleaf pool. Enjoy!

Details, details, details...

It is all in the details. Look at the craftsmanship of the work in our cast iron screen with the brass details. Magnificent!

Our apostle and revelations...

Martha, the incognita, the tools of her trade and the beauty she reveals.

Spring blooms...

A couple of the recent floral arrangements in the Gaylord lobby.

Chronicled...

The Larchmont Chronicle came by yesterday to do a story on the restoration work taking place in the lobby. It is not only the residents of the Gaylord taking note of and enjoying the changes being made to our environment here, but it has piqued the interest of the local press and passersby. Like a proud peacock we will soon be showing off our fine feathery!

Look for the article to come out at the end of the month.

For a Peaceful Retreat...

...make friends in Topanga Canyon. Over this past Easter weekend I spent a relaxing, nourishing time at my friend's house (in the old canyon) where I used to do garden design. Cocktails on the deck on Saturday surrounded by rolling, majestic mountains. And a warm, delicious Easter brunch on Sunday surrounded by family. (Shout out to my bud, Special J (Julien).
You don't really need to have friends in Topanga to take advantage of what the landscape and town have to offer. There are plenty of trails to hike which I had done for years. Go into Topanga State Park and take off on several trails available. Visit the Nature Center in the park, where for 2 years I was a docent and learn more about the wildlife, botanics and geology of your surrounding area. Or hit the Backbone Trail off of Old Topanga Canyon and delve deeper into the wood. Stop at Abuelita's after for a mojito, margarita and chips & salsa. Or make a pit stop at Pine Tree Circle in the heart of Topanga and enter Waterlily Cafe for a refreshing beverage, a sandwich and pastry (both are 'locals' hangouts). Do some shopping in Topanga Homegrown or explore next door at Hidden Treasures for a vintage keepsake.
Just drive up scenic PCH along the coast and make a right on to Topanga Canyon. It's only 30 minutes away!

Resident retires to Care Center...

Our sweet Lillian Castillo, who has been residing in the same apartment at the Gaylord since 1987, just last week retired to a nursing home facility. At the age of 90 it was time for her to go somewhere to have around the clock care. I am sure she is leaving the Gaylord with many happy memories. She will be missed. Though not much has been seen of her lately we will always think of her neatly coiffed hair, applied make-up and kind words. Take care Lillian and be good.

Tricky Dick's Place - RENTED!

Sorry folks, if you wanted the chance to live in history, Richard Nixon's old apartment, you have missed out on the opportunity. The unit has been rented! This is a spacious, grand 2 Bedroom/2 Bath apartment with views on 3 sides. Worthy of a man who would one day become president.

Still interested in a TWO BEDROOM unit? There is a slight possibility that I may be able to recreate another original 2 Bedroom/2 Bath unit out of 2 apartments that might be opening up. If you are inclined towards this style of grand living, CONTACT ME QUICKLY. Otherwise, the opportunity might be missed. C'mon! Live the rock star life you want.

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Looking for another Good Meal?

Last Friday night, I took myself to somewhere I have not been to in 18 years. Ca'Brea on LaBrea. One of those old standbys that still serves a good meal and a good glass of Pinot Grigio. Great for northern Italian home cooking.
After swinging by Angeli on Melrose and seeing there was not a table available, I began racking my brain as to where to find another comfortable, warm dish of risotto. Driving down LaBrea it hit me. Ca'Brea! Inviting atmosphere with a beautiful wood ceiling and abstract expressionist art hanging on the walls...and reasonable. Nice bar area too!
Try it.