Love them or hate them, we definitely are loving Starbucks for their restoration of the Gilmore Gas Station.
This beautiful Streamline Moderne gas station, circa 1935, is a glorious diamond in the tiara that is Hollywood.
The Gilmore Oil Company was once one of the largest oil producers in America, selling their gas at Red Lion gas stations. Red Lion would later become part of the Mobil gas station chain.
This Gilmore Gas Station was built on land owned by actor Wallace Beery. In 1956 it changed hands and became a Texaco station.
The gas station has been seen in many films, commercials and still photos, including Steve Martin’s “LA Story”, Eddie Murphy’s “48 Hours” and a California Lottery commercial.
The building received Historic Cultural Monument status in 1992, but stood vacant for over two decades, fenced off and falling into disrepair
Enter Starbucks, who began a two-year sympathetic renovation of the building in 2015, creating this glorious walk up and drive thru coffee stop, and winning a conservancy preservation award while they were at it.
Trimmed in neon, this Starbucks looks glorious by day or night. A true throwback to Hollywood’s glory days and a beautiful roadside attraction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern California No 166 - last visited June 2023
Comments