Take a tour of Scientology's massive Los Angeles real estate empire

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The hub of Scientology's presence in Los Angeles is the former Cedars of Lebanon hospital complex. This building, the Pacific Area Command Base (PAC Base) is topped by a massive sign with sixteen-foot-tall letters. It was purchased by the church in 1977. At the time, Scientology leaders said it would be their "central facility for the United States." Today, Scientology has its spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, but PAC base still houses dormitories and offices for the church.

The hub of Scientology's presence in Los Angeles is the former Cedars of Lebanon hospital complex. This building, the Pacific Area Command Base (PAC Base) is topped by a massive sign with sixteen-foot-tall letters. It was purchased by the church in 1977. At the time, Scientology leaders said it would be their "central facility for the United States." Today, Scientology has its spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, but PAC base still houses dormitories and offices for the church.

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Uniformed Scientologists can often be seen coming in and out of the PAC base and working to maintain the building. They have shuttle buses that take them from the complex to the church's other facilities in the LA area.

Uniformed Scientologists can often be seen coming in and out of the PAC base and working to maintain the building. They have shuttle buses that take them from the complex to the church's other facilities in the LA area.
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There are also security guards who constantly patrol the complex. In our experience, they occasionally question and discourage people who attempt to photograph the facility.

There are also security guards who constantly patrol the complex. In our experience, they occasionally question and discourage people who attempt to photograph the facility.

Scientology describes the "Celebrity Centre," which is headquartered on Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, as a "special" church designed to "cater" to "artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision to create a better world." The facility holds seminars for actors and writers seeking to break into the business along with other Scientology courses. These acting and writing classes are largely based on "Scientology tools."

Scientology describes the "Celebrity Centre," which is headquartered on Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, as a "special" church designed to "cater" to "artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision to create a better world." The facility holds seminars for actors and writers seeking to break into the business along with other Scientology courses. These acting and writing classes are largely based on "Scientology tools."
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The "Celebrity Centre" is located inside the former Chateau Elysee. Construction began on the building in 1927 and it originally served as a high-end apartment complex and hotel. According to KCET, the chateau was "one of the West Coast centers of 1930s café society." Residents and guests included Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Errol Flynn. Scientology purchased the building in 1973. The "Celebrity Centre" contains the "Renaissance Restaurant," which is open to the public and serves a well-reviewed Sunday brunch.

The "Celebrity Centre" is located inside the former Chateau Elysee. Construction began on the building in 1927 and it originally served as a high-end apartment complex and hotel. According to KCET, the chateau was "one of the West Coast centers of 1930s café society." Residents and guests included Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Errol Flynn. Scientology purchased the building in 1973. The "Celebrity Centre" contains the "Renaissance Restaurant," which is open to the public and serves a well-reviewed Sunday brunch.

One of Scientology's most prominent facilities in Los Angeles is Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum. It is operated by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an anti-psychiatry organization founded by the church. The museum is open to the public. It includes videos and displays that are critical of psychiatry including many devoted to implements from ancient insane asylums.

One of Scientology's most prominent facilities in Los Angeles is Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum. It is operated by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an anti-psychiatry organization founded by the church. The museum is open to the public. It includes videos and displays that are critical of psychiatry including many devoted to implements from ancient insane asylums.
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Centrally located on Hollywood Boulevard, this facility is open to the public. It offers informational materials about the religion and "stress tests." The building was originally built in 1922 as the Christie Hotel. The architect, Arthur R. Kelly, also designed the Playboy Mansion.

Centrally located on Hollywood Boulevard, this facility is open to the public. It offers informational materials about the religion and "stress tests." The building was originally built in 1922 as the Christie Hotel. The architect, Arthur R. Kelly, also designed the Playboy Mansion.

Scientology's information center is located on one of the busiest stretches of Hollywood Boulevard between Vine Street and Highland Avenue. The area includes many tourist attractions like the TCL Chinese Theater, Egyptian Theater, and Musso & Frank Grill. Signs outside the center advertise Scientology programs to passersby.

Scientology's information center is located on one of the busiest stretches of Hollywood Boulevard between Vine Street and Highland Avenue. The area includes many tourist attractions like the TCL Chinese Theater, Egyptian Theater, and Musso & Frank Grill. Signs outside the center advertise Scientology programs to passersby.
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The sprawling PAC Base complex includes an "Advanced Organization." According to the church's website, advanced organizations offer "very advanced" Scientology training programs. "At an Advanced Organization, the individual recovers lost abilities and gains new insights into the nature of his own spirituality," the site says.

The sprawling PAC Base complex includes an "Advanced Organization." According to the church's website, advanced organizations offer "very advanced" Scientology training programs. "At an Advanced Organization, the individual recovers lost abilities and gains new insights into the nature of his own spirituality," the site says.

This 64,571-square-foot structure on Sunset Boulevard was part of the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. It contains a chapel, library, course rooms, bookstore, and an "extensive public information area." The building was dedicated at a ceremony in 2010 attended by Scientology leader David Miscavige, who said, "Today marks a milestone step in our planetary crusade to bring on our help on a truly global scale—so that one day there is no crime, no war, no insanity."

This 64,571-square-foot structure on Sunset Boulevard was part of the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. It contains a chapel, library, course rooms, bookstore, and an "extensive public information area." The building was dedicated at a ceremony in 2010 attended by Scientology leader David Miscavige, who said, "Today marks a milestone step in our planetary crusade to bring on our help on a truly global scale—so that one day there is no crime, no war, no insanity."

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According to the church, the Saint Hill churches offer some of "the most advanced levels" of Scientology's "auditing" programs. Saint Hill churches are named after an original location in England where Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard lived from 1959 through 1966 and produced what the Church describes as "some of his most significant discoveries on the mind and spirit."

According to the church, the Saint Hill churches offer some of "the most advanced levels" of Scientology's "auditing" programs. Saint Hill churches are named after an original location in England where Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard lived from 1959 through 1966 and produced what the Church describes as "some of his most significant discoveries on the mind and spirit."

The Church of Scientology operates a museum dedicated to its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, in Hollywood.

The Church of Scientology operates a museum dedicated to its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, in Hollywood.
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The museum features statues of Hubbard.

The museum features statues of Hubbard.

There are exhibits dedicated to the expeditions that Hubbard led around the world. Some of his alleged achievements on these travels were questioned in Lawrence Wright's book "Going Clear." Scientology has disputed many of the claims made in the book.

There are exhibits dedicated to the expeditions that Hubbard led around the world. Some of his alleged achievements on these travels were questioned in Lawrence Wright's book "Going Clear." Scientology has disputed many of the claims made in the book.

Scientology's response to "Going Clear" can be seen here.

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Hubbard's quotations and photos are exhibited in the museum.

Hubbard's quotations and photos are exhibited in the museum.

Hubbard was a prolific writer who contributed to many pulp fiction magazines. He wrote science fiction stories, Westerns, and adventure tales. Some of these are displayed in a faux newsstand at the museum.

Hubbard was a prolific writer who contributed to many pulp fiction magazines. He wrote science fiction stories, Westerns, and adventure tales. Some of these are displayed in a faux newsstand at the museum.
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A re-enactment of a scene from one of Hubbard's science fiction stories.

A re-enactment of a scene from one of Hubbard's science fiction stories.

There are also paintings of scenes from Hubbard's life. This one depicts him explaining his philosophy of "Dianetics" to physicians.

There are also paintings of scenes from Hubbard's life. This one depicts him explaining his philosophy of "Dianetics" to physicians.
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The caption on this painting reads, "Ron realized that neither the spiritualistic East nor the materialistic West had full understanding of the nature of life and the condition of Man. 1930"

The caption on this painting reads, "Ron realized that neither the spiritualistic East nor the materialistic West had full understanding of the nature of life and the condition of Man. 1930"

This building houses offices for Galaxy Press, which publishes Hubbard's fiction, Author Services Inc., which licenses his work, and L. Ron Hubbard Theater. A plaque outside describes the theater's main program, "The Golden Age Radio Hour … a weekly live performance, delivered by notable Hollywood actors, dramatizing a wide variety of remarkable stories written by L. Ron Hubbard during the golden age of popular american fiction."

This building houses offices for Galaxy Press, which publishes Hubbard's fiction, Author Services Inc., which licenses his work, and L. Ron Hubbard Theater. A plaque outside describes the theater's main program, "The Golden Age Radio Hour … a weekly live performance, delivered by notable Hollywood actors, dramatizing a wide variety of remarkable stories written by L. Ron Hubbard during the golden age of popular american fiction."
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The PAC Base is between Fountain Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. The area includes several Scientology buildings and one of the streets through the area is named "L. Ron Hubbard Way," after the church's founder.

The PAC Base is between Fountain Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. The area includes several Scientology buildings and one of the streets through the area is named "L. Ron Hubbard Way," after the church's founder.

Want to learn more about Scientology?

Want to learn more about Scientology?

21 famous Church of Scientology membersĀ»

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