The Wrecking Ball Cometh ~ Tower Records, Sunset Blvd.

Preservation of what once was the Sunset Strip's most colorful place has turned into a black-and-white issue in West Hollywood. Preservationists complain that city leaders blocked their application to have a former Tower Records building declared a historic resource because color photographs of the brightly painted building were attached to the paperwork instead of black-and-white pictures that officials said were required. As activists hunted for black-and-whites to add to the paperwork, a Chicago developer planning a multimillion-dollar office and retail complex at the record store site filed his building request at City Hall.

Now the iconic music industry landmark at 8801 W. Sunset Blvd. famous for its hundreds of impromptu rock 'n' roll performances and album signings awaits demolition. Its iconic yellow facade has been repainted somber blue. Some preservationists are beginning to feel the same way.