Posted by Jack Fox (216.175.122.33) on June 27, 2002 at 22:40:11:
I don't know how recent anyone else has been there. I have long been a fan of the Ambassador, but I only
discovered this website this evening. I had no idea that groundbreaking for a new school was possibly on the
boards for as early as 2003 (meaning that the old hotel will possibly cease to exist). California in general seems
to only recently have aquired some sentiment for it's past. I remember back in the seventies that Sacramento
lost one it's most MAJOR landmarks to (of all things) a grocery store! The Alhambra Theatre was leveled. And
there is nothing even remotely like it in the area....you have to go to San Francisco now in order to see what a
REAL Theatre looks like.
Anyway, I was on the grounds of the Ambassador last October 5th. I made it past the entrance to the Cocoanut
Grove (the awning was still there), and there was evidence that filming was occuring. I noticed that the
Bungalos were in VERY sorry shape, and that the front lawn needed some attention. I made it around
the side of the building (the covered walkway leading to the bungalos) before the security guard caught me. He
was very nice and polite, and simply said that his job would be in jeopardy unless I left! The only "official"
sign around was an asbestos removal sign on the glass door entrance to the Cocoanut Grove. Also, anybody
who knows enough these days to be a fan of the Ambassador will know where to go WITHOUT DEPENDING
upon sign. I did not notice the sign, I noticed the building.....the building (though weathered) still commands
a view and the hotel still retains it's elegance. With all of the restoration activity I have been either witnessing
or hearing about, I am willing to bet that the hotel will get an eleventh or twelvth hour reprieve.