Even when this architect’s rendering of the proposed Hollywood Hills Hotel on First Lake (now the Hollywood Hills Condominiums) was publicly displayed many residents doubted that Joseph W. Young, developer of the Hollywood Hills area, would ever build it. But in March 1933 steam shovels began work on the site leveling a spot for the 300-foot long structure. It is estimated they moved or removed some 6,000 yards of earth to accommodate the building.

One resident who believed in Mr. Young was Nelson Dunn of Big Moose. The previous December he was contracted to bring out the logs from which the Hotel was to be constructed. The logs were cut and delivered while snow was on the ground so that construction could begin early in the spring.

Mr. Dunn’s logs were impressive. Many of them were over 40 feet long and measured from 18 to 24 inches in diameter at the butt end. The longest were over 50 feet in length. It was noted that if the logs were laid end to end they would measure over five miles and if sawed into boards they would produce 150,000 board feet.

Plans for the hotel were grand. The lobby alone would cover nearly 100 feet in diameter. It would be octagon shaped and rise nearly four stories from floor to ceiling. At the very center would be a giant four-sided fireplace built of native stone. It would cover a space 11 feet square. The chimney for the four fireplaces set back to back would begin a floor below the first floor  lobby, thus adding a fifth fireplace in the tap room on the ground floor. Besides a tap room, the ground floor was also to include a barber shop and a private ballroom.

Rather than building up, the hotel was stretched out on a two-story wing 128 feet long devoted to guest rooms. Every room would have steam heat and private bath. The hotel dining room would measure 40 by 80 feet and would be served by a large modern kitchen.

Plans called for the hotel to be set back from the lake some 120 feet. The grounds to the water would be landscaped and to the north of the hotel a large garage was to be erected to house guests’ automobiles. The original plan also called for a number of small cottages to be built near the hotel.

Those who doubted Joseph Young were proved wrong as the hotel became a reality. Nelson Dunn set his logs creating the architect’s plan and the building officially opened for business on July 7, 1934. Ironically, the one person who never doubted the hotel would be built was not on hand for the occasion. Joseph Young had died on February 26, 1934.