Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1482853
T he powers that be envision a club with "people from all walks of life merrily sipping Bellini's and living the good life," provided members and guests respect the tradition of that era and don appropriate attire. Across the country, Hollywood's A-list celebs and the power elite have their own hush-hush private club, San Vicente Bungalows (SVB). Created by hotelier Jeff Klein, who transformed the Sunset Tower into the hot spot where Vanity Fair hosted its glittering Oscar after-parties for years, membership here is limited to just 750 discreet people. The first rule of the SVB is that you don't talk about the club — especially to the press. (It's likely the second and third, rule, too.) Word is that you must be nominated by a member to be considered, and only about 10 percent who apply actually make the cut. A prospective member needs to upload a couple of headshots (this is L.A., after all). In a story in British GQ , writer Alex Bhattacharji notes, "In creating his private social club, Klein set out to emphasize the private as much as the social, surmising that committing completely to the former allows for the ultimate expression of the latter. 'I believe that privacy has become the ultimate luxury,' he says. By that measure and several others, Klein has created the most luxurious club in Los Angeles and perhaps all of America … Klein put a lot of time into due diligence, immersing himself in London's clubs for several months and regularly picking the brain of 5 Hertford Street's owner and impresario, Robin Birley. 'To this day, I'll still ask him questions and get opinions,' Klein says." Although stymied by the pandemic, SVB might have some competition coming, as Gwyneth Paltrow is rumored to be one of the backers bringing Los Angeles the new Arts Club, inspired by the original London outpost. We're told the private club (with some areas open to the public) will open its doors in 2024. Get your membership query in ASAP, unless you subscribe to Groucho Marx's sentiment: "I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members." (Continued from page 44) for You, Darling It's Not TEXAS FAMILY-OWNED AND MANAGED • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE www.THETRADITION.COM THE TRADITION–WOODWAY 6336 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77057 Independent Living (713) 423-6066 Assisted Living & Memory Care (713) 874-9096 THE TRADITION–BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9339 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025 Independent Living (713) 715-1905 Assisted Living & Memory Care (713) 715-1902 PRIME LOCATIONS Where you live can reflect how you live, and at The Tradition, proximity to the city's most desirable neighborhoods has its advantages. Maintaining an engaged and independent lifestyle is easy when you are close to all that is familiar. Start enjoying your to-do list in a warm, enriching environment. And take advantage of our many educational social events and outings to cultural events, popular restaurants, and special area attractions. If you are beginning your search for luxury, rental retirement living, you'll love our beautiful Communities and all the exceptional services, amenities, activities, and new friendships that our residents enjoy. Please make an appointment to see our spacious model units. I look forward to welcoming you home! Founder & CEO The Tradition