Clifton’s Cafeteria, a historic restaurant in downtown Los Angeles near the original western terminus of Route 66, on Wednesday removed the aluminum that hid the building’s original 1904 facade for nearly 50 years, reported the Los Angeles Times.
The new view was a little unsightly. But the facade will be restored as part of an extensive project by new owner Andrew Meieran.
Here’s a video by Esotouric, the company that leads historic (and sometimes quirky) bus tours of Los Angeles, at the facade unveiling:
The Times reported:
But there were a few murmurs from a crowd of roughly 200 spectators as work crews lifted a huge tarp and revealed that many of the building’s original windows were filled in with ugly concrete blocks.
Not to worry, said Meieran, who acquired the downtown cafeteria in 2010 from the Clinton family for $3.6 million.
As soon as seismic upgrades are completed, the concrete blocks — installed for earthquake safety in 1988 — will be removed. Glass panes will replace the blocks and natural light will again flood into the cafeteria’s famous redwood forest-themed dining room, he said.
The Times also made this super-cool slider graphic that shows you before-and-after photos of Clinton’s facade.
This video created about a year ago, delves into Clifton’s atmosphere and history quite well:
Clifton’s website also offered details of the renovations:
A new Cafeteria Line will open in 2012 that takes advantage of modern equipment –while serving a healthy dose of old fashioned quality and comfort fare– just like you remembered it (only made now with organic and sustainably farmed ingredients). It will be the Clifton’s you remember combined with the Clifton’s you imagined and hoped existed. […]
What will emerge from this restoration is Clifton’s “The Brookdale;” a food, entertainment and nightlife destination designed in the spirit of Clifford Clinton’s original vision. All existing historic fabric will be thoughtfully and carefully retained– including the Chapel, the Waterfall and Brook (what would The Brookdale be without its brook?!), the Redwood trees and Terraces– the elements that have made Clifton’s an institution for so many decades. Missing fanciful elements like the original Water Wheel, Old Tree Wishing Well, Limeade Springs and the Sherbet Mine will be re-created in a fashion; bringing to life the history Clifton’s represents.
In addition, guests will encounter an entirely new world of wonder within the same walls. A historic soda fountain, specialty grocery, five distinct lounges and bars, a butcher shop and world class bakery– along with several surprises– will complement the existing Cafeteria in serving our diverse community.
According to Scott Piotrowski’s book “Finding the End of the Mother Road: Route 66 in Los Angeles County,” the original Route 66 ended at Seventh Street and Broadway in downtown L.A. That put it literally a stone’s throw from Clifton’s. It was the western end of Route 66 until 1935, when it was moved west to Santa Monica.
Clifton’s opened in 1931, so U.S. Highway 66 went right by its front door for a few years.
(Hat tip: Kevin Hansel)