Alexandria Hotel Los Angeles

Haunted Places in California > Haunted Apartment Buildings

Alexandria Hotel Los Angeles paranormal

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Location submitted by: sdonley on 03/27/2025
DBA Approved: Y

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PANICd#: 2171

Publication date: 03/27/2025

The Hotel Alexandria is a historic building constructed as a luxury hotel at the beginning of the 20th century in what was then the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

501 S Spring St
Los Angeles , CA 90013
Open to the public: Yes

Lat: 34.047394
Lon: -118.250122

Database Summary:

Demographic Rank: 0
History: 3
Stories: 2
Claims: 12
Evidence: 0
Resources: 4
Retrievals: 2387
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0

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History

History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.

The Hotel Alexandria, designed by architect John B. Parkinson of the firm of Parkinson & Bergstrom and constructed by developers Albert Bilicke (1861–1915) and Robert Arnold Rowan (1875–1918), opened on February 12, 1906, as an 8-story luxury hotel at the southwest corner of Spring and 5th Streets in downtown Los Angeles.

Its popularity resulted in Parkinson & Bergstrom designing a twelve-story addition, which was built behind the original building in 1911. Bilicke died in 1915 when he went down with the ocean liner RMS Lusitania. Rowan died not long after. Their widows, Gladys Huff Bilicke and Laura Schwarz Rowan, sold the hotel in 1919 to the builders of the nearby Ambassador Hotel, and the Alexandria was for a time part of the Ambassador Hotels System.

The hotel was the most luxurious in Los Angeles for a number of years until the construction of the Biltmore Hotel three blocks west in 1923. The Ambassador Hotels System sold the hotel in 1927, and it was sold again in 1930, before going bankrupt and closing in 1932.

The hotel's gold leaf ceilings, furniture, chandeliers, and other fittings were sold in 1934 to pay off debts. The hotel was sold again in 1937 to film producer Phil Goldstone, who renovated and reopened it. In 1946, following the end of WWII, Goldstone sold the hotel. In 1954, the new owners altered the original lobby by filling in the mezzanine floor in order to house the Pacific Coast Merchandise Mart. The lobby below was given a "mid-century modern French provincial look, featuring square pillars, custom-made furniture, and planters." It was later acquired by real estate developer S. Jon Kreedman in 1961, who renovated it in 1970 in a faux-Victorian style.

The Palm Court at the Alexandria Hotel, Los Angeles, California

Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2025 DB#:726
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Alexandria

The hotel has played host to countless film shoots. Its ornate public rooms, marble staircases, and decaying grandeur have made it a favorite of movies, music videos, television commercials, and fashion shoots. In David Fincher's Se7en (1995), it served as the residence of the killer, John Doe, for a lengthy chase sequence through much of the hotel. Other films shot in Alexandria include A Midnight Romance (1919), Dreamgirls (2006), Water for Elephants (2011), Spider-Man 3 (2007), and Domino (2005). The video for Dwight Yoakam's 1987 hit song, "Little Sister," was filmed in one of the ballrooms.

Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2025 DB#:727
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Alexandria

Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2025 DB#:729
Source(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x70_ord3UQ

Stories

Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location. This section could also contain research notes as well.

Originally a hip hotel and restaurant serving the likes of President Woodrow Wilson and actor Charlie Chaplin, the Alexandria Hotel has since been converted into a low-income apartment complex. One tenant complains of a ghostly dancer who greets guests in the ballroom and often stalls the elevator at that floor. Others have spotted an angry teenager outside Charlie Chaplin’s old suite and ethereal mobsters congregating in the old Prohibition-era tunnels below the building. If you catch a show at the new ground-level comedy club, you may just spot one of them!

Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2025 DB#: 1684
Source(s): https://blog.apartmentsearch.com/apartment-life/ha...

The Unseen Guests

A general sense of dread and the sensation of being watched are two of the other things that are associated with the Alexandria Hotel, in addition to individual apparitions. There have been reports of doors opening and closing on their own, objects moving mysteriously, and unexpected dips in temperature from both guests and workers. Some people believe that these occurrences are the result of mischievous spirits playing pranks, while others believe that they could be indications of the presence of residual energy within the building. Regardless of the reasons behind these mysterious occurrences, the hotel has earned a reputation for being a location where the border between the real and the supernatural is becoming increasingly blurry.

The Lady in Black

The mysterious Lady in Black is perhaps the most well-known ghost that is said to haunt the Alexandria Hotel. This spectral figure is described as a woman clothed in a long black robe, with her face shrouded by a veil or shadow. People frequently witness this spectral figure moving around the building's hallways. While there are those who say she is the soul of a woman who was heartbroken and lost her love within the confines of the hotel, there are also those who believe she is the spirit of a past inhabitant who met a horrible end. Regardless of who she is, the Lady in Black continues to be a haunting presence, and her appearances are frequently accompanied by a sense of melancholy and hopelessness.

The Ghostly Children

The Alexandria Hotel is also known to be the location of apparitions of children who have passed away. Visitors have reported hearing the laughter and lively banter of youngsters who are not visible to them reverberating through the hallways of the hotel, particularly in the spaces that formerly held the hotel's Palm Court and ballroom. Some think these are the ghosts of children who lived or played in the hotel, while others think they're drawn to its vivid past. No matter what the explanation may be, the presence of these spectral youngsters lends a poignant touch to the ambiance of the hotel, which is known to be haunted.

The Phantom Piano Player

In the past, the Palm Court was a magnificent ballroom where people would dance the night away, but nowadays, it is a famous location for ghostly activity. The story of the phantom piano player is one of the most fascinating tales on the internet. Visitors have reported hearing the faint melodies of a piano emerging from the vacant ballroom, although there is no actual piano present in that room. Some people think that it is the spirit of a previous artist who is playing his favorite songs over and over again, while others think that it could be a remnant of the hotel's vibrant past. Regardless of where it comes from, the phantom piano player lends an eerie and melancholy air to the atmosphere of the Palm Court.

The Haunted Ninth Floor

Ghosts and other supernatural phenomena are known to frequent the ninth level of the Alexandria Hotel. According to legend, this portion of the structure, which was formerly a beautiful penthouse suite, is now considered to be the most haunted. Guests have described feeling an oppressive presence, experiencing unexpected shivers, and even seeing apparitions while they were there. While some believe the ninth floor is a gateway to another realm, others believe it could be a building's residual energy hub. No matter what the reason may be, the ninth floor continues to serve as a haunting reminder of the more sinister aspect of the building.

Added by: sdonley on 03/27/2025 DB#: 1685
Source(s): https://theparanormalplayground.co/alexandria-hote...

Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
3709	03/27/2025	sdonley	The elevator has been known to operate on its own, stopping guests at different floors.
3710	03/27/2025	sdonley	The apparition of an angry teen has been seen outside Charlie Chaplin's old suite.
3711	03/27/2025	sdonley	The apparitions of mobsters have been seen in the tunnels below the building.
3712	03/27/2025	sdonley	The general sense of dread has been reported by the living.
3713	03/27/2025	sdonley	The sensation of being watched has been reported.
3714	03/27/2025	sdonley	Doors have opened and closed on their own.
3715	03/27/2025	sdonley	Objects have moved on their own mysteriously.
3716	03/27/2025	sdonley	Unexpected dips in temperature have been detected.
3717	03/27/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a woman in black has been seen in the hallways, accompanied by the sense of dread and melancholy.
3718	03/27/2025	sdonley	The sounds of children laughing and talking have been heard.
3719	03/27/2025	sdonley	The sounds of a piano have been heard in the Palm Court area and the vacant ballroom.
3720	03/27/2025	sdonley	There have been numerous reports of paranormal activity on the ninth floor of the building.

Wikipedia Entry Added: 03/27/2025 By: sdonley	Wikipedia entry for this location.
The Alexandria Hotel: the Troubled Heart of Los Angeles' Social Scene Added: 03/27/2025 By: sdonley	Information about the dark side of the building.
Ghosts of the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles Added: 03/27/2025 By: sdonley	Explore the chilling tales and ghostly encounters of the historic Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles. Discover the Lady in Black, Phantom Piano Player, and haunted ninth floor
Hotel Alexandria: History, hauntings and film stars \| Arts and Culture \| ladowntownnews.com Added: 03/27/2025 By: sdonley	At the beginning of the 20th century, Hotel Alexandria was the first luxury hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.