The building is across the street from the original 800-room Rosslyn Hotel built in 1914. Designed as a twin, both were topped by mammoth glowing signs featuring the names surrounded by a heart, the shape acknowledging the Hart brothers who owned the hotels.[3]
The building became famous for its large roof-mounted signboard saying "New Million Dollar Hotel."[4][5][6] The hotel closed in 1959, before reopening again in 1979 and eventually focusing on low-price housing.[7][4] The rooftop sign was featured in the music video for "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2, as well as the 2000 Wim Wenders film "The Million Dollar Hotel".[8][9] The story of the film had been conceived by U2's lead vocalist Bono while filming the music video, and the filming took place inside the hotel despite its dilapidated state by then.[8][9]
The 264-unit Hotel Rosslyn Annex was renovated in 2015 to house a mix of homeless veteran, low-income and market-rate tenants.[10][1]
"Builders Set Record for Skill and Speed". Los Angeles Times. December 29, 1923. p. I8.
"New Unit of Great Hostelry". Los Angeles Times. December 29, 1923. p. I7.
"Rosslyn Among Leading Hotels". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1932. p. A12.
"Thousands Seeks New Hostelry". Los Angeles Times. September 30, 1923. p. I4.
Field, William Scott (1994). Parkinson Centennial: 100 Years of the Parkinson Architecture Firm in Los Angeles. Los Angeles: Parkinson Field Associates. OCLC30798667.
Gleye, Paul (1981). The Architecture of Los Angeles. Los Angeles: Rosebud Books. ISBN9780865580046.