Yes, it's a shame they didn't do this every ten years - that would have been illuminating, because by 1973 it was over for Hollywood Blvd. and the devastation had already begun. I suspect the difference between 1963 and 1973 would have been something to see, although I'd also surmise that most of the buildings would have been the same. But in the thirty years since - disgusting. Most shocking, as I've said many times, is the almost complete obliteration of 99% of the gas stations - there were several between Fairfax and Hillhurst and i venture to say that today you could drive that entire stretch and not find a one. I know there's been a lot of tear downs as you get close to Western. And this horrible thing, even in 2004, of covering every house and building with shrubs and trees, literally hiding buildings and homes. People used to take pride in their homes and businesses. By 2003 all the beautiful shops with windows on the boulevard had had their windows replaced with those sliding up and down metal doors. Awful. It all could have been handled and gentrified so easily and beautifully, keeping the flavor of the street, but no, not possible in LA because the people who develop here have no sense of history because they aren't actually from here. They are, to me, foreigners and they should leave LA the HELL alone. It's also heartbreaking to see the southeast side of Hollywood and Vine - once the home of Drug King and quaint mom and pop stores that lined the street right down to the Pix - even in 2004 all the mom and pops had been torn down for the subway stop, but at least that subway stop was open and you could see straight down to Sunset. The whole damn thing is a W hotel (built around the subway station), one of the greatest monstrosities since Hollywood + Highland.
