Los Angeles Athletic Club

Posted 28 March 2009 Los Angeles,hotels

Since 1880, The Los Angeles Athletic Club has established a philosophy by which health of mind, body and spirit flourish. It’s legendary exercise facilities are sure to make your heart beat and muscles burn, but it shouldn’t stop there. A healthy lifestyle includes family, friends and trying new things. So unwind in one of our hotel rooms, play billiards with friends and learn the intricacies of wine. The comprehensive approach to health is what makes it unique.

The Trophy Room: The 1,000-bottle, walnut constructed wine cellar is temperature controlled at 55 degrees. The Cellar Club, our own wine club, meets here to enjoy wine tastings and to remark on the room’s “sweet, woodsy taste hinting of tanned leather and polished brass.”

The Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) was the city’s first private club. Founded in 1880, when Los Angeles was a town of only 11,000 people and the preferred mode of travel was the stagecoach, LAAC joined a downtown core of businesses that included saloons and shooting galleries. Forty prominent Angelenos, sons of the pioneers, adventurers and athletes all, gathered in Frank Gibson’s law office to create an American style club for the “best young men” of the community.

Ladies were welcome at social events and exhibitions. The initiation fee was $5 and monthly dues set at $1. Elected as the first LAAC president was Colonel James B. Lankershim, whose family owned a good portion of the San Fernando Valley.

More than a century after its founding, The Club remains a cornerstone of the community, with our mission of providing for the athletic, professional and social development of our members intact. With so much under one roof, The Los Angeles Athletic Club is a truly unique executive haven, a home away from home for our members, proud of tradition but with an eye towards the future.

Duke’s Sports Bar was founded in 1996 in homage to L.A.A.C. living legend Richard “Duke” Llewellyn, a long time executive with The Club and former professional athlete (football, track and boxing). A sports bar in the true sense of the word, Duke’s was once the darts room for The Club.

Today the club features a full gym, breath-taking pool, basketball court, hotel rooms, 2 restaurants and an amazing grand ballroom. Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the club is home to the Angeleno Elite.

For more information please visit:

www.laac.com

431 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
TEL. (213) 625-2211