Ah, memories. That’s what comes to mind as we stand before the La Cienega Inn. This isn’t just another motel. It’s a place with a past. The La Cienega Inn has seen its share of changes.
Once known as the La Cienega Motel, it opened in 1946. Back then, it had a certain vintage charm. Think neon signs and a modest motor court. The motel even had a neon script sign. QRS Neon installed it in October 1946.
In 1959, a remodel added a screen and concrete block facade. National Neon Co. created a giant rooftop sign for the La Cienega Motel. This sign became a local landmark. Many remember the La Cienega Motel with that vintage neon glow. It was part of the Los Angeles experience.
Fast forward to 2015. Owner Sanmukh Bhakta hired Nextech Construction for a big remodel. The modest motel transformed into the boujee La Cienega Inn. The neon script sign likely disappeared during this time. It probably ended up in a landfill.
The La Cienega Inn still offers a place to stay. It stands near the Petersen Automotive Museum and LACMA. Amenities include free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy family rooms and a hot tub.
Other motels once lined La Cienega Boulevard. The Park Cienega and Rip Van Winkle Apartment Motel were among them. The Capitol Motel and Plantation Hotel are long gone. They were demolished in the 1990s.
The Rip Van Winkle became the Motel Grand. It even had a Color TV by RCA sign. Many of these vintage motels have disappeared. They are replaced by new developments.
La Cienega Boulevard was once known as Restaurant Row. Places like the Encore cocktail lounge and Tail o’ the Cock thrived here. Celebrities and locals flocked to these establishments. Today, only Lawry’s remains from that era.
The La Cienega Inn stands as a reminder of what once was. It’s a place where old memories meet new experiences. While the neon signs are gone, the stories remain. The La Cienega Inn is still part of the Los Angeles story.