The Century Plaza to be torn down.(World)(Brief article)

In December 2008, a group led by investor Michael Rosenfeld announced a two billion dollar plan to replace the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles with two skyscrapers filled with condos and stores. The decision came only a few short months after a $36 million revamp had been completed on the hotel, which is nicknamed the "West Coast White House" due to its popularity among Washington politicians. The CP, as it is familiarly called, is also popular among Latin American participants at the L.A. Screenings.

Rosenfeld expressed hope that the new structures would attract full-time residents to the area. But preservationists don't buy the argument, saying they'd rather keep the Century Plaza as it is now.

The Century Plaza has hosted all manner of events of historical significance, including Ronald Reagan's presidential victory party and a welcome home gala for the Apollo 11 astronauts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation views this history as a reason to save the hotel from a wrecking ball that seems to be getting closer each day, and has placed the Century Plaza on its annual list of historic endangered locales.

Built in Century City, a high-rise district of Los Angeles on the former site of the 20th Century Fox movie lot, the hotel, which opened its doors in 1966, was designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, who went on to design the World Trade Center towers.

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