Church of Scientology International Receives LA Business Journal's Real Estate Award

Earth Times press release/February 14, 2007

The Church of Scientology International is a 2007 recipient of the Los Angeles Business Journal's Real Estate Award. Announced in the February 12th issue of the LA Business Journal, the theme of this year's awards is "adaptive reuse" - a very popular trend in architecture that is efficient and environmentally responsible in which old or historic buildings are converted for new uses while retaining their classic features. All twelve honorees were chosen for their contributions in this field.

With 1.2 million square feet of renovated and restored space in 25 buildings in the greater LA area alone, the Church of Scientology International and local Scientology Churches are considered pioneers and leaders in the restoration of vintage properties.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Church of Scientology International, and the tens of thousands of Scientologists living and working in Los Angeles who have contributed to these activities, was Church spokesperson, Bob Adams. "We take great pride in this award," said Adams. "So much care goes into restoring our buildings. We work hard to maintain their original character and charm while making them fully functional for the needs of our parishioners and staff."

The Los Angeles area is a nexus for Scientologists. Not only is it the international headquarters of the Church but it was a favorite of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, who lived and worked as a highly successful writer in Hollywood during its Golden Age and returned to LA in the late '40s to carry our his early Dianetics research.

Perhaps the most striking of the Church's LA properties is the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center International. Built as a hotel in 1929 in the style of a classic French Chateau, it was home to many of Hollywood's greatest stars including, Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart. Mr. Hubbard once wrote, "A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists," and Celebrity Center works to accomplish a social and cultural resurgence not only through the care it provides to leaders in the fields of art , business and culture but through the many social programs it sponsors as well.

In response to questions about future plans, Mr. Adams announced that restoration and renovation are about to begin on the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena, in Old Town Pasadena. At nearly 100,000 sq. feet, it will be one of the largest Scientology Churches in the US. Another church and community center are planned for Inglewood and the Church of Scientology of Orange County has secured a beautiful property in Santa Ana, where restoration will also begin shortly.

But LA is certainly not the only city with new Scientology churches following the adaptive re-use model. Beautifully renovated new churches have been opened in London, Johannesburg, Madrid, New York, San Francisco and Buffalo. Three others opened over the past few years in Silicon Valley. And a program is underway to expand this to include new premises over the next three years for every existing Scientology church and new churches in major cities around the world.