Who Owns the Cecil Hotel: Owners, History, and Legal Status

Key Facts at a Glance

The Cecil Hotel and Its Current Owners

The Cecil Hotel is presently owned by Simon Baron Properties, an entity controlled by Simon Baron. As of 2023, the property was transferred to this ownership, with prior ownership held by long-term proprietor Michele Lando. The hotel remains an active budget hotel and long-term residential building in downtown Los Angeles. It is legally distinct from the unrelated Cecil Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ownership Timeline and Corporate Structure

Ownership of the Cecil Hotel has shifted between individual and corporate holders. Historically, the property was owned by a single long-term owner who controlled it for decades until a sale to Simon Baron Properties. There is no widely reliable, publicly filed corporate structure that details extensive subsidiaries; available records indicate a relatively direct ownership under Simon Baron Properties, with Simon Baron as the controlling figure.

Pre-2023 Ownership by Michele Lando

Before 2023, the Cecil Hotel was owned by Michele Lando, who held the property as an individual owner. Multiple lis pendens and legal notices tied to Lando reflect ongoing civil disputes, but these do not alter the recorded ownership at the time of sale. The transfer to Simon Baron Properties was documented in county recorder filings, marking a definitive ownership change.

Post-2023 Ownership by Simon Baron Properties

Simon Baron Properties acquired the Cecil Hotel in 2023, and the entity remains the recorded owner as of 2025. This ownership is reflected in business registrations, property records, and operational continuity of the hotel. Reports of any subsequent sale or transfer as of mid-2025 are unsubstantiated; the property continues to operate under this ownership.

Property Background and Legal Context

The Cecil Hotel has been a prominent property since its opening in 1924 and is known for its long-term operation as a budget hotel and residential hotel. Over decades, it has been associated with high-profile incidents and extensive media coverage. The building is subject to city enforcement and multiple civil cases, which are reflected in public records. These legal matters address tenant conditions, building compliance, and other disputes but do not change the ownership shown in official records.

Notable Details and Common Clarifications

It is important to distinguish the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles from other properties with similar names in different cities. The ownership information here is specific to the Los Angeles property at 640 S Soto St. Operational status remains active, and the hotel continues to house both short-term guests and long-term residents. No verified reports indicate a recent sale or new owner beyond Simon Baron Properties as of the latest available records.

Summary of Ownership and Status

• Current owner: Simon Baron Properties (since 2023)
• Previous owner: Michele Lando (owned for decades until 2023)
• Property type: Budget hotel and long-term residential rental
• Operational status: Active; subject to ongoing legal and city enforcement matters
• Legal disputes: Multiple civil cases do not alter recorded ownership

Frequently Asked Questions