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==References== |
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Revision as of 19:37, 11 January 2011
34°06′00″N 118°19′55″W / 34.09995°N 118.331938°W
The Hollywood Athletic Club is a nightclub in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles.
Since it was built in 1924, it has had a varied history as a health club, bar, music venue and billiard room.
It is located on Sunset Boulevard.
History
The building at 6525 Sunset Blvd has been known as the Hollywood Athletic Club, University of Judaism, Berwin Entertainment Complex, and Hollywood Landmark. It was built in 1926 by Meyer & Holler, the same architectural firm that built the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre. At the time is was the tallest building in Hollywood.
During its early years as a health club, its membership included Johnny Weissmuller, Errol Flynn, Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Walt Disney,John Ford, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mary Pickford, Cecile B de Mille, Cornel Wildle, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Frances X Bushman, Howard Hughes, Joan Crawford.and Rudolph Valentino.
When the building was first established, the first two floors and the basement were to be used only for clubbing.[1]
The building later became the University of Judaism, and after they started building at their new location, this building gradually fell into disrepair. The building was up for sale for eight years until one day a well known entrepreneur, concert promoter and investor named Gary Berwin drove by and saw something special in the deteriorating structure. Gary is a preservationist and wanted to save historical buildings and so in November 1978 he purchased the building and then set about the huge task of restoring the building to its former grandeur.
Berwin also purchased the bungalows and the two-story Spanish-style building situated on Hudson behind 6525 Sunset Blvd. The project was renovated at a cost of approximately 11 million. The restaurant which is a replica of the 14th century Davanzati Palace in Florence, Italy underwent a complete make-over. The beautiful ceilings had been covered over with a false ceiling and after it was removed, Berwin hired carpenters, artists and wood carvers to restore the beams and ceilings to their former beauty.
The Berwin Entertainment Complex quickly became popular with the jet-set and celebrities. Some of the famous tenants included the Beach Boys, Van Halen, Jose Feliciano, Island Records, Baby-O Recording Studios. The list of celebrities who visited the building and partied there are too numerous to mention, but a few of the mentionables are Priscilla Presley, Lisa-Marie Presley, members of the Michael Jackson family, Steven Spielberg, Muhammad Ali (a regular visitor & friend), Mayor Tom Bradley, Sally Field, Princess Stephanie, Dudley Moore, Michael J Fox, Prince Mashour ben Saud of Saudi Arabia, Madonna, Rodney Dangerfield, Melanie Griffith, Jon Voight, Paul Newman, George Lucas, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Fonda Disney Studios, Alice Cooper, Julio Iglesias, Stevie Wonder, Billy Crystal, Shirley McLean, Gov. Jerry Brown and the list goes on.
Gary donated office space and worked with Mayor Tom Bradley’s office to start a runaway youth program in Hollywood.
At the end of 1984 Berwin decided to take in a partner or sell the building and in February of 1985 a real estate broker named Bill Beachem, representing the Michael Jackson family came by the building and made Gary an offer. The Jackson’s who at the time were the #1 entertainment family in the world would buy the building and Gary would retain a percentage as a partner. They intended to use a good portion of the 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) for offices, recording and rehearsal studios. Joe Jackson became an almost daily visitor to the building, the papers were signed, a deposit was put into escrow, phones were ordered and a liquor license sign went up outside stating “Jackson / Berwin Entertainment”.
The Jackson’s stipulated in the escrow instructions that while the building was in escrow, they would have final approval of everyone leasing space in the building. During this time period, many famous parties including record executive David Geffen, Studio 54, Maxim’s of Paris, and Princess Stephanie of Monaco all came to the building inquiring about the possibility of renting space for studios and clubs.
Gary Berwin is currently writing a book called “The Jacksons Too Good To Be True”
David Bowie performed at the club during his Earthling Tour on September 10, 1997.
References
http://www.hollywoodphotographs.com/category/61-1/hollywood-athletic-club/
- ^ "Seven Story Building Is Authorized By Directors To Be Ready in December". The Miami News. 07-25-1925. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
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