Wax On, Wax Off

vs.

The L.A. Business Journal reports that Madame Tussaud's is planning a new wax museum in Hollywood -- which would make two in the neighborhood (the Hollywood Wax Museum has been there since the 1960s).

According to the story, Tussaud's would build a new home in the parking lot next to the Chinese Theater -- although, I gotta wonder, aren't there enough existing buildings in Hollywood that could be rehabbed and turned into Tussaud's new home (maybe not, but it's a shame that more existing buildings in Hollywood have yet to be revitalized). From the story:

Plans call for a $55-million, 40,000-square-foot museum to be located on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, the site of what is currently a parking lot directly west of the Mann Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

The U.K.-based Tussaud’s Group, which already has U.S. outlets in New York and Las Vegas, filed an application with the Los Angeles City Planning Department about a week ago. The company is now an official member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, as well.

“They’ve been working for at least two or three years to find a location in Hollywood, so they’ve kept this quiet for awhile,” said Leron Gubler, executive director of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “If they’re coming to Los Angeles, this is right where they should be – in Hollywood.”

Tussaud’s arrival will, of course, make Hollywood the only city with two wax museums. The Hollywood Wax Museum has been at 6767 Hollywood Boulevard since 1965. The chamber’s Gubler thinks there’s room in town for two.

(Link via LA Biz Observed.)