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Can Rock Hudson's Old Hangout be Saved?


ROCK HUDSON X390 (FAIR USE) | ADVOCATE.COM

While the Laguna Beach, Calif., Planning Commission voted unanimously to renovate the Coast Inn, the next step in preserving the historic local gay epicenter comes in obtaining a ranking in the city's Historic Register.

Owner Steven Uvdar-Hazy bought the property in 2005; it was the home of the Boom Boom Room, a gay bar in which late actor Rock Hudson held court for decades. The bar was shut down in 2008, but the Coast Inn remained open. Now Uvdar-Hazy plans to convert the structure into a boutique hotel complete with a rooftop pool, according to the Coastline Pilot. Plans also show that the area that used to be the Boom Boom Room may be leveled to create a 13-space parking lot.

However, residents behind the Save the Boom project are vying to have the owner instead donate the property to the city as an LGBT center or keep the bar open as a gay bar. Instead, Uvdar-Hazy said he is considering an art gallery or wine-tasting bar, rather than a standard hotel bar or restaurant.

The commission granted the owner a C rating in the Historic Registry but also said that an interpretive exhibit should be included on the site to explain the property's historic significance. The K rating, which would give the inn more historic value, would let Uvdar-Hazy claim several money-saving tax breaks. He applied for the K rating in March but was denied.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Bev Holt
    Date posted: 5/7/2011 4:56:34 PM
    Hometown: Laguna Beach Ca

    Comment:

    Does anyone know the address of the home that Rock Hudson owned? I am told it was on Anns Lane, Top of the World.

  • Name: Bev Holt
    Date posted: 5/7/2011 4:55:55 PM
    Hometown: Laguna Beach Ca

    Comment:

    Does anyone know the address of the home that Rock Hudson owned? I am told it was on Anns Lane, Top of the World.

  • Name: Magpie
    Date posted: 9/3/2010 3:56:26 PM
    Hometown: Oceanside, CA

    Comment:

    While it's true that Laguna Beach is a shadow of its former self as far as gay destinations go, you might be interested to know that the spirit lives on. KWER-FM, the station that entertained West St. Beach throughout the 80s, is being reborn on the Internet. Go to www.kwerfm.com and click Listen. It's not 100% up to speed yet, but you'll get an idea of what's coming. Also, become a fan now on Facebook. Search for KWER-FM and join the growing group of people who are enjoying amazing memories of the way it was in Laguna Beach.

  • Name: John
    Date posted: 4/26/2010 7:40:57 AM
    Hometown: Pineville

    Comment:

    Interesting site dedicated to saving the place; also a few photos- "Save the Boom": http://www.savetheboom.com/

  • Name: Wes
    Date posted: 4/25/2010 6:59:58 PM
    Hometown: CLT NC

    Comment:

    I agree with Davlin---this country is becoming one big MALL! Everything pristine and oh-so antiseptic.....no more funky bars that stretched from Pacific Coast Hwy all the way to the beach (or over it), with wooden floors, aquariums FOR BAR TOPS, and a disco the size of a bedroom--if that. The Boom was unique, at least back in the 80's when I was in my prime and so was this place. Yes Rock Hudson owned a house here but this is the first I heard that he frequented the Coast Inn. The gay beach, West St., is also a shadow of its former self, there used to be hundreds on a weekend (July thru Labor Day only) and its own KWER radio station on the beach. Bring your own boom box.

  • Name: J.R. Graff
    Date posted: 4/25/2010 2:36:40 PM
    Hometown: Pittsburgh

    Comment:

    This article is slightly too late. A close source has confirmed to me that The Boom Boom Room has already been torn down.

  • Name: Carlitos
    Date posted: 4/25/2010 1:45:12 PM
    Hometown: Porterville

    Comment:

    I am constantly puzzled over the confusion of the words "then" and "than." Is it the posters that are making this error, or is it something in the transcription process getting the posts ready for print? Yeah, I know, it's the least of the world's troubles; but, the wrong word inhibits the flow of reading and comprehension.

  • Name: Carol
    Date posted: 4/25/2010 1:21:29 PM
    Hometown: MO

    Comment:

    I remember Laguna Bch. in the early 50's, the quaint shops, artist's paintings displayed in front of their Galleries, the hills of flowers going down to the beaches, so beautiful. This hotel should "hold up" Rock, and other actors that had to live two lives in order to have one life they could use to support their work. It's time for this. Many people would flock to Lauguna Beach again if the presentation of the remodeled Hotel is handled correctly.

  • Name: Behind the Orange Curtain
    Date posted: 4/25/2010 1:20:45 AM
    Hometown: O.C. Calif.

    Comment:

    Laguna is no longer gay. Most have died or moved away. Their is a large gay population in Aliso Viejo a bit inland but still in Orange County and Santa Ana the "Ghetto of Orange County" has a small but emerging gay population. So sad about "The Boom."

  • Name: Uncle Al
    Date posted: 4/24/2010 11:37:46 PM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    I have fond memories of this place. So sad. Even sadder on the slope going to the beach by the coast Inn, is the Garden of Peace and Love ( photos on FLICKR) where the ashes of some gay men who died from aids are scattered. It was so charming and pleasant, especially at sunset, that they chose this as their final resting place.



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