The Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles: Haunted Story
Wonder what dark secrets lie behind the walls of the haunted Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles?
The Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles, once a glamorous hotspot for Hollywood’s elite, is now notorious for its haunted happenings.
Ready to uncover the chilling tales and haunted history of this iconic landmark? Keep reading to discover the mysteries that continue to haunt the Alexandria Hotel.
This is the story of the haunted Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles:
Beautiful Beginnings
Built-in the flowery Beaux-Arts style, the haunted Alexandria Hotel in downtown Los Angeles flaunts a towering facade, ornate cornices, and a grand entrance fit for LA’s posh elite.
Over the years, it’s drawn in glamorous stars like Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo, making it popular in downtown LA for over a century.
Affectionately called ‘the Alex,’ this hotel sits near the equally haunted Cecil and the Biltmore hotels. Its troubled history dates back to 1906 when two men tragically fell to their deaths during construction.
Since then, it seems the Alexandria Hotel is haunted and potentially cursed.
Star-Studded Past
The Hotel’s Palm Court was a hot social scene in the roaring twenties. During WWII, its grand skylight was painted black, turning the once-inviting lobby into a temporary home for shell-shocked U.S. soldiers.
In 1960, the Palm Court transformed into a boxing ring, with fans paying a buck to see sparring heroes like Jose Becerra and Raymundo “Battling” Torres.
From evenings of dining and dancing to boxing matches, war efforts, and even Presidential speeches, The Alexandria has seen it all. Yet, an uneasy sadness has always lingered.
Fatal Falls
On August 5, 2013, a man took a fatal step from the fourth floor of the Alexandria Hotel, making quite the splash at the corner of 5th and Spring. LAPD’s Detective Gus Villanueva clocked the jump at 3:55 pm, and by 3:58 pm, the fire department had arrived to find the poor guy already flat as a pancake.
This wasn’t the first time the Alexandria saw such drama; back in 2009, an 87-year-old man had a similar fall, with a dodgy fire escape railing taking the blame.
Adele Fairchild
One tragic story is that of Adele Fairchild, a beautiful woman from San Francisco.
After buying a cocktail of barbiturates, Adele checked into the Alexandria under an alias.
She was found semi-conscious on her bedroom floor. Despite a doctor’s efforts, she eventually slipped into unconsciousness, finally free from her reportedly unhappy marriage and the guilt of her affair.
Planned Suicide
Another sad death involves Mrs. H. L. Boyden from Ohio, who checked in without luggage and killed herself with opium tablets. An unsigned poem lay beside her body, shedding light on her sorrow.
The Lady in Black
Spotted since the hotel’s 1970s remodel, she glides through corridors wearing a crown of barbed wire, tears of blood running down her cheeks.
Guests report the elevators having a mind of their own, taking them to random floors or the ballroom, swinging the doors open, and refusing to shut them.
Famous Films
The Hotel’s beautiful rooms, romantic marble staircases, and decaying decadence have made it a favorite of movies, music videos, commercials, and fashion shoots.
In David Fincher’s Se7en, it served as the residence of the killer, John Doe, for a lengthy chase sequence through much of the hotel.
Other films shot in the haunted Hotel Alexandria include:
- A Midnight Romance
- Dreamgirls
- Water for Elephants
- Spider-Man 3
- Domino
- The video for Dwight Yoakam’s 1987 hit song, Little Sister, was filmed in one of the ballrooms.
When was the Alexandria Hotel built?
The Alexandria Hotel was built in 1906, and despite its rather creepy beginnings, it quickly became a hotspot for Hollywood’s elite.
It’s like the building came with its own ghostly welcome mat, inviting all sorts of paranormal activity right from the start.
Seriously, if you’re never feeling nostalgic for the early 1900s, swing by the Alexandria.
Who owns the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles?
The Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles is currently owned by the company CGI Strategies. They’ve transformed the once-glamorous haunt into affordable housing, giving it a new lease on life, no less ghost sightings.
While the tenants might still hear the occasional spooky whisper in the hallways, at least they get to soak in the lower cost of rent in DTLA.
Why is the Alexandria Hotel in Downtown LA so haunted?
The Alexandria Hotel in Downtown LA is haunted because it seems like many people who check in never really check out.
From tragic accidents during its construction to guests who decided to make a permanent stay, the place is a ghost magnet. The Lady in Black is the star of the show, wandering the halls with her barbed wire crown and tear-streaked face.
Haunt Us
Have you been to the haunted Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles? Don’t let your ghost stories go untold. Share your experiences in the comments below, visit the forums, read others’ stories, and become part of our haunted community.
