Local News in Brief : Wrecking Ball Ready for Huntington Hotel
After three years of planning and debate, the demolition of the historic Huntington Hotel’s main building is set to begin in Pasadena Monday.
The developer of the property, Gemtel Corp. of Los Angeles, plans to replace the 82-year-old building with a similar-looking structure.
Historical preservationists fought the project from its inception, saying it was wrong to destroy a landmark from Pasadena’s Golden Era, when it was a resort for the rich and famous. But opponents abandoned their campaign after a 1987 referendum in which voters overwhelmingly approved the project.
Gemtel Corp. received its demolition permit Friday after demonstrating to the city that it has the financial commitment of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank Ltd. of Tokyo to fund construction of the project, which will cost in excess of $100 million.
Demolition of the building is expected to take three to four months. The new 385-room hotel will be operated by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. and is expected to open in late 1990.
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