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Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - restaurants
Designers: Balch, Clifford A. Architect (firm); Johnson and Aldous, Building Contractors (firm); Schindler, Rudolph M., Architect (firm); Aldous (building contractor); Clifford A. Balch (architect); Johnson (building contractor); Rudolph Michael Schindler (architect)
Dates: constructed 1932-1933
Schindler designed Sardi's and Lindy's Restaurants for owner, Adolph Edward "Eddie" Brandstatter (02/27/1884-01/18/1940) and his entertainment industry partners. (Previous to Sardi's, Brandstatter operated Montmartre, Embassy club and Embassy Roof nightclubs.) A newspaper report of 07/10/1932, indicated that "Plans for the building development are now being completed by Architects A.C. Balch and R.W. Schindler and construction is expected to start August 1 with the new cafe scheduled for opening by October 1." This information was probably erroneous; Clifford A. Balch was the probable designer of the exterior and Johnson and Aldous served as the Building Contractors. Sardi's opening was delayed at least twice, (the first opening date had been 10/01/1932, later changed to 01/19/1933) likely due to financial difficulties Brandstatter was facing. The opening occurred at the height of the Depression, and money, even in Hollywood had become more scarce. Sardi's was part of a small retail complex that included a drug store, jewelry shop, and tailor shop. The interior of Sardi's included separate bar areas, such as the Jewel Box Bar, popular with the Hollywood film stars and producers, that opened in 1935.
Sardi's seated 200 diners when it opened for lunch 02/09/1933 in what was known as the Gore Building. Warren MacArthur designed the tubular aluminum furniture used on the interior. A newspaper article in the LA Times (08/24/1932, p. A5) noted that the formerly two-floor interior would be reduced to only one, this having a height of 17 feet. "The establishment when completed will be the largest and most up-to-date place of its kind in the West." Sardi's operated 24 hours a day when it first opened.
Demolished by kitchen fire on 11/01/1936. Eight were injured in the $100,000 blaze, all kitchen staff and firefighters, which was called the "worst in Hollywood in four years." When Sardi's burned, newspaper accounts listed Eddie Brandstatter and David Covey as proprietors.
PCAD id: 9009
