The Hollywood Sign Hotel?

Could the 450ft-long iconic Hollywood sign which stands proudly on the land overlooking Los Angeles be turned into a boutique hotel?

You might have heard that the land around the famous Hollywood sign was put on the market two years ago.  The non-profit Public Trust For Lands group, fearing that the land would be bought by developers who would put advertising or build luxury homes on it, launched a campaign to buy the 138-acre area above the sign known as Cahuenga Peak. The group secured an option which gave them until April 14th to raise the money, and we still don't know the result. A couple days ago they were $3 million short of the total needed to secure the property.

A Danish architect named Christian Bay-Jorgensen has come up with an idea to turn the sign into a hotel, which in effect would/could solve all the money/land issues. The plan calls for the famous letters to be enlarged to double the size, building them out from the back, allowing guests to stay inside the Hollywood sign itself. The crazy idea isn't as bad as it might first appear.

Here are some more images from Bay-Jorgensen's concepts:

Bay-Jorgensen told the Daily News that "This could be the future of the sign."

"I know people are scared," he said. "I know they are afraid this idea will turn it into Disneyland." But when tourists from other countries come to see the sign, they imagine a majestic structure. Instead, they see "plywood and white paint." This area should be more public. I think this could be something that could improve the experience of the LA resident, to let them see the sign in a new way."

The sign/hotel could even become "a center for such events as the Golden Globes and Oscars."

I have to say, I at least like the idea of making the sign more accessible for tourists. The walkway and viewing deck would be nice for those visiting the city.

Of course, don't expect this plan to actually happen. Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (owner of the rights to the sign's image) calls the idea "too far fetched" while Chris Baumgart, chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust (the group in charge of repairing, maintaining, refurbishing and raising funds to preserve the sign) says "It's not going to happen."