Nearly 77 years of history was reduced to rubble in less than 30 seconds this morning when the grandstand at shuttered Hollywood Park Racetrack was imploded to make way for a new mixed-use development.
The multiple explosions were set off just before 6 a.m. at the Racetrack that was once frequented by Hollywood’s elite and played host to storied jockeys such as Willie Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr. and Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, officials said.
The 298-acre racetrack closed after its final race at 6:11 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2013. It opened June 10, 1938 although the track was closed from 1942 to 1944 during World War II.
With the grandstand cleared, development will continue on the mixed-use community, which will include 4-million-square-feet of space comprised of retail, office, hotel, entertainment, park and open-space uses.
The early morning demolition time was chosen to minimize disruption in nearby neighborhoods, according to a statement from developers of the new Hollywood Park project.
But many residents still took to social media to comment on the noise, and the demise of a piece of local history.
More information on the new development is posted at www.hollywoodparklife.com.
