what was this place

[micksterlee]

At Universal Studios there is a place that looks like an old hotel it is across from the little park. It has a sign that says something like Abdull s gardens or something.I asked an employee there what it was and she said now it is just for show but they used to use it for something but she was new and didn't know what.Anyone know?

 

[tlinus]

across from which little park? Curious George? It may be the old Hard Rock Cafe......Barb took a picture for me, I have to find the thread for it

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19608415&postcount=723

that is the picture

 

[micksterlee]

This place is in plain view and has lit up signs on it. Seems like it wasn't to far from where the lagoon.We walked past it on our way to ET it was on a main street pretty close to the entrance

 

[ChrisFL]

thats the Garden of Allah Villas...mostly decoration, Im trying to remember if there was ever anything inside...I think there may have been a small walk through of some kind many years ago.

Here's the sign:

 

[phamton]

It's a set to fit the atmosphere of early Hollywood:
http://www.waltlockley.com/gardenofallah/gardenofallah.htm
http://www.dorothyparker.com/la/dotla01.htm

You can cut through it to get to KidsZone and ET.

 

[micksterlee]

Thats the place! It looks like something may have been in there at one time because of the size. I don't knowwhy but this place caught my attention and no one seemed to know anything about it.

 

[tropical depression]

It's a set to fit the atmosphere of early Hollywood:
http://www.waltlockley.com/gardenofallah/gardenofallah.htm
http://www.dorothyparker.com/la/dotla01.htm

Universal wouldn't have gone through such recreation just for detail and theming....everyone knows they don't do that.

 

[MIB999999]

next time you go. at the turnstyles look for RON. he is an older gentleman and really gets into it. he will explain the significance of each and every building at Studios and why it is there. The Garden of Allah was a meeting place for some hollywood types and i think "gone with the wind" was finalized or dreamed up at that place or something along that line.

 

[t-and-a]

I've seen Zorro and his lady friend (I can't remember her name) there before.

 

[Notatourist]

The Garden of Allah was the first real motel in Hollywood. It was where stars in their early careers stayed. It began in the thirties when it's owner, Allah Nozimovah was a silent screen actress who lost work when the talkies came along due to her accent. People like Marilyn Monroe, Errol Flynn and Jack Lemmon stayed there.

It fell on hard times in the 50's and closed. It had a pool in the back in the shape of Turkey, her home country. It is now a parking lot in Hollywood. At one time, the building was home to AT and T and the movies, which was a lovely exhibit on how the movies worked in Hollywood.

 

[ChrisFL]

At one time, the building was home to AT and T and the movies, which was a lovely exhibit on how the movies worked in Hollywood.

Ok, yeah, I was wondering if thats also where they had "how to make a mega movie deal" back when the park first opened.

 

[bubba's mom]

I've seen Zorro and his lady friend (I can't remember her name) there before.

 

[ChrisFL]

I think her name is Esmerelda

 

[mslclark]

I've seen that building many times, but didn't know the story behind it. Thanks for sharing! I guess I am always making a bee line to the back of the park!