The Cecil Hotel in California has a deadly history — and now it’s for sale. See it
.jpg "A visitor arrives at the hotel Cecil on Wednesday Feb. 20,2013 where police say the body of a woman was found wedged in one of the water tanks on the roof was that of a missing Canadian guest. Investigators used body markings to identify 21-year-old Elisa Lam, police spokeswoman Officer Diana Figueroa said late Tuesday. A maintenance worker at the Cecil Hotel found the body earlier in the day after guests complained of low water pressure. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)")
There are probably only a few commercial buildings that have such a violent and deadly history, but none are quite as haunting those that occurred in downtown Los Angeles’ Cecil Hotel.
And now, the haunting building has landed on the real estate market.
“Situated in Downtown Los Angeles, this high-rise, boasting a historical landmark designation, comprises 15 floors and offers a net rentable area of approximately 105,407 square feet,” the listing on Loopnet describes. “The property is currently in the lease-up phase and is 60% occupied, ownership projects occupancy levels of 80-90% by mid-2024.”
While the listing shies away from the building’s dark past, many myths, tales, and true stories that folks have been subjected to have been highlighted in popular media, including FX’s hit series “American Horror Story” and the Netflix documentary, “Crime Scene: Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel.”
The documentary revolves around 21-year-old Elisa Lam, a woman who was visiting Los Angeles from Canada when she went missing in 2013. Her body was discovered over two weeks later in the hotel’s water tank. Elevator footage showed Lam getting into the lift and demonstrating odd behavior. It’s still unclear how her body ended up on the roof where her body was discovered.
The hotel sits in what’s referred to as “Skid Row” among other abandoned buildings that were once a part of LA’s upscale financial district.
But Lam’s disappearance isn’t the only mystery surrounding the hotel.
“The Cecil has seen more than its share of violence over the years: at least 16 people have died there, and it has been the location of countless other brutal crimes,” Town and Country said.
“Serial killer Richard Ramirez even called it home during much of his 1985 murder spree.”
The hotel was also the inspiration for Season 5 of FX’s “American Horror Story,” which took place at an LA-based building named “Hotel Cortez.” Much like the Cecil, Cortez had multiple deaths and paranormal activities going on, Cosmopolitan says.
The price for the building is not listed.
This story was originally published March 8, 2024 at 12:43 PM with the headline "The Cecil Hotel in California has a deadly history — and now it’s for sale. See it."