A Hollywood Journey

26. Taft Building

Hollywood, CA

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The 12-story Taft Building was built in 1924 and is labeled as Hollywood's first high-rise office building and anchors the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Known for its gleaming-white marble lobby and renaissance coffered ceiling, the Taft Building was designed to give its owners prominence on the boulevard that they had earned within the community. In its 'golden era,' many Hollywood hotshots held their offices and studios here. Charlie Chaplin, among its earlier occupants, conceived and wrote many of his films within these walls. Many dentists also set up shop here, including one who became famous for making Clark Gable's false teeth. Legend has it that Gable and Jack Warner played craps in the basement during lunch hours. Willie Bioff, mobster and leader in the movie production business during the 1920s to 1940s, kept an office here. He was an impeccable dresser, but also a widely known and convicted Chicago panderer who used the mob's muscle and labor ties to secure a foothold for organized crime during the blossoming era of the film industry.