Balazs, who also owns the posh Mercer in Manhattan and the Chiltern Firehouse in London, is also considering the idea of selling stakes in his properties to clients who become members of the club and who would own part of several residences in his hotels. He noted that guests would be cool to stay where they know a lot of other people staying at the properties.
“There is something to say to get to know people,” said Balazs, owner of the Marmont for three decades. WSJ. “You can chat with them; you know where they have been.
The celebrity hotelier had to lay off almost all of his employees because the virus took hold in the spring, and he said WSJ that he isn’t likely to bring them back because he wants fewer workers and a lot of people with different skills for his planned private properties.
Overlooking Sunset Boulevard east of Roxbury since 1929, the historic Chateau Marmont has a reputation as a celebrity residence and is part of the fabric of Los Angeles. He has been featured in films ranging from Myra Breckinridge and The doors at La La Land and 2018 A star is born. Its more infamous story includes being the site of comedy legend John Belushi’s overdose death in 1982.
