On 2006-04-12 19:29, Digitiki wrote:
I mean, it would seem to me that Hilton could build the tower and either leave Vic's on the first floor or re-open the same spot in the new building to Vic's.

I agree, I don't see any necessity for tearing it down which means we should be able to accomplish this with a certain about of pressure (via either celebs, publicity, of th LA Conservancy etc). Probably best to check on the news over at Whole Lotta Living at this point. I think the link is somewhere in this thread.

Does anyone have contact info for developer? I have a brilliant idea to save Trader Vic's. Thanks.

On 2006-04-17 14:37, michaeljlambert wrote:
Does anyone have contact info for developer? I have a brilliant idea to save Trader Vic's. Thanks.

I don't, but for sure Trader Vics or the BeverlyHills Hotel corporate offices do, although the receptionist may not exactly hand it over.

I am very interested in your idea. What is it?

It probably is more constructive than mine - demolition on the property as a warning.

Here's a picture of the place back in the day (postcard).

The text on the back of the card references the location as new to Beverly Hills, so I assume this shot was taken as a promo when the place had just opened.

Nice photo, As nice as it is now, it was better then.

I have an idea. Why don't we draft a letter to TV's corporate headquarters and the Hilton's HQ from all of us at Tiki Central, just letting them know diplomatically that there is a large community of patrons out here and our desires to see the icon continue to operate. You know, somthing professional, tasteful, diplomatic--like those "letters to the president" kind of things. It will most likely not change anything, but might plant a seed the the minds of those at the top. Just a thought.

It will most likely not change anything, but might plant a seed the the minds of those at the top. Just a thought.

..I think the minds at the top are well aware of the tiki resurgence over the past few years....but until that translates into some hardcore dollers and cents for them, they could care less....no matter how many of us there are...it's not going to be enough to do squat..."when money talks, tiki enthusiasts take a walk" -and not down preservation lane either...after all, wasn't that the lesson of Kahiki vs. walgreen's??

don't mean to be a bummer and of course, any effort is a noble one...but these are businesses folks, designed for no other purpose than to make money....and when they stop makin the money needed to justify keeping the doors open, it's time to say good-bye. sure, it's not fair and it sucks for us as well as future generations that may not have any original tiki places around to enjoy, but good or bad, right or wrong that's just the way it is...you can only fight money with money...and unless any of us have lot's of it and are willing to buy these places ourselves we're kinda screwed..... it's best to support our existing and newer tiki establishments as best we can, cause we will be continuing to lose more of them to the wrecking ball sooner or later.

Too bad Bill Gates is not a TC member.

Well, Tipys I partially agree with your statement. It is all about money and corporate discisions. But, people don't generally know how big the tiki movement or tiki establishment (whatever you want to call it) is out there. I, for one, am having to explain to people what tiki is on a daily basis - literally. And there ARE shining examples, admittedly rare, in LA and other metropolitan cities of hostoric buildings and locations that are saved. True, most of the business are no longer occupying those places, but the buildings are saved. The the thing is different with Trader Vic's. They are business that is currently seeing a rise in their popularity - as evidenced by the opening of new locations. And, I don't know about anyone else, but the LA location is booming every time I go there. And tiki people do vote by patronizing those business - and very loyally I might ad.

..by all means, continue to support it...I'm sure all of us do, when and if we get the chance to get out there....and yes, many buildings do get saved as architectural examples..i was a member of the society for commercial archeology for a few years back in the mid-late 90's (I reccommend anyone interested in preserving our roadside culture to get involved with it).....we saved alot of cool shit!! including some route 66 icons...and yet, there was plenty of cool stuff we watched go down in flames too for the same reasons -money and politics. unfortunately, trader's is not a stand-alone building, but part of the entire hotel itself and as such, is tougher to save...it would be like trying to save the palmer house traders by leveling the hotel and keeping the basement where it was located intact....the two are part of the same package and to save one, you must save the other...unfortunately saving an entire hotel is a tall order...especially when big bucks are involved. My point in the early post was simply that, it's important to recognize oblectively those battles that can be won and those that can't without fooling ourselves into thinking otherwise and spending alot of time and effort on a losing battle as opposed to applying that same energy to concrete things that we CAN accomplish and continue to preserve.....

On 2006-04-20 11:40, Digitiki wrote:
I have an idea. Why don't we draft a letter to TV's corporate headquarters and the Hilton's HQ from all of us at Tiki Central, just letting them know diplomatically that there is a large community of patrons out here and our desires to see the icon continue to operate.

Such could not hurt, and might even be helpful. However, there are much larger forces at work:

The questions (as I see them - and I don't pretend to see everything) are:

1. Is it worth more to the developer to demolish TV BH (and pay TV BH the $$$ penalty for breaking the lease) in order to build very expensive condos?

(The answer must be "yes," otherwise the developer would not have purchased the property.)

2. Can socio-political pressure or the BH zoning board require the developer to change the architectural plans to maintain Trader Vic's?

(I hope so)

3. If required to move, will the annual income for TV BH for the past years, which is a strong indicator on next year's expected profits, encourage TV to relocate in LA?

(Yes. From my personal research, TV BH is raking it in - The bar is usually crowded, sometimes mobbed on the weekends- and selling liquor is pure profit. Their expensive entrees are also priced to generate a considerable profit.)

4. Will the cost of constructing a new location, and the cost of a long-term lease agreement in LA, be such that TV can still make a profit?

(While I have no idea how much it costs to construct, remodel or open a a restaurant, new restaurants open every week in this town. Alsoi, LA is a huge market, with many 20-40 year-old singles to hang at the bar and many well-healed patrons to purchase entrees from the expensive menu. Therefore, the answer has to be yes.)

5. Will the next location adversely impact the profits because (a) it will not be at such an incredibly busy intersection and (b) it will be in a new location, whereas the current location has existed for approx 50 years?

(I don't know. However, I think this is where such a letter would be useful - show TV owenership that there are loyal fans who will eagerly re-appear at the next location.)

6. Are the owners game for giving it a try?

(Yes. TV appears to be in an agressive expansion mode, with new locations opening in Emmeryville/Oakland, San Francisco, Scottsdale and Vegas all within the last several years.)

To me, TV BH will remerge, based on these elements.

[ Edited by: christiki295 2006-04-21 18:27 ]

..well......shit.........praise the lord and pass the mai tais!!!!!

Any Updates in this?
I heard from a friend, thru 3 other people that they started demolition on the BH Trader Vics.
Is it true?

Jeff(bigtikidude)

[ Edited by: bigtikidude 2006-07-04 11:59 ]

[ Edited by: bigtikidude 2006-07-04 12:00 ]

No, I was there Thursday night and nothing is going on. The Navy Grogs are still the best....

I was there about a week ago with a buddy, had a couple of Zombies and a nice snack...

......I love that place! I wish I could go there every day.

I spoke to someone at TV online store. They said it would be about 1-2 years before it happens but it will happen, as that is the plan.....

Sad.....

Amy

Thanks for the Info. I've been there for drinks about 5 times. But never for diner. I want to go do the whole experience sometime, but thought I had missed my chance.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

The last post I read (25 days ago) Trader Vic's Beverly Hills was not closed. Does anyone really know what is going on? It sounds like rumor at this point? either way my B.D. is this week & I'm eating there as I do every birthday. Wanna go? haha.........

Was out on the West Coast recently and had the chance to stop in at the Beverly Hills venue on July 28th, 2006. While I was snapping photos, one of the employees chatted me up a little bit. He'd been there only about 20 years or so, and indicated there were people on staff who'd been working 30+ years at the same location.

He was a bit reticent to talk about the upcoming changes, but eventually did reveal a bit of info. Apparently it's true that there will be condos built on the site, but there's no end date that's been made official yet. A plethora of studies still have to be done (environmental impact, traffic impact, etc.) which seem like they could hold up the restaurant's demise for a spell. There has been some disapproval from locals who enjoy the place as well - he talked a bit about how people had been brought there as kids, and how they were now bringing their kids and grandkids as well. That leads me to believe there could be some forces lined up against the "development" of the area.

Apparently there will be a new restaurant on site, but it will not be Trader Vic's. The employees have been offered employment in the new restaurant, although again there still seems to be no set date as to when that changeover might happen. I asked if maybe (as in Chicago) the Trader Vic's company would possibly relocate the restaurant to a new location. He said it was possible, but he hadn't heard anything about it.

The Beverly Hills location has been open 51 years according to the gent I spoke with. Go while you can!

~Rupe

[ Edited by: rupe33 2006-08-01 04:20 ]

On 2006-08-01 04:18, rupe33 wrote:

He was a bit reticent to talk about the upcoming changes, but eventually did reveal a bit of info. Apparently it's true that there will be condos built on the site, but there's no end date that's been made official yet. A plethora of studies still have to be done (environmental impact, traffic impact, etc.) which seem like they could hold up the restaurant's demise for a spell. There has been some disapproval from locals who enjoy the place as well - he talked a bit about how people had been brought there as kids, and how they were now bringing their kids and grandkids as well. That leads me to believe there could be some forces lined up against the "development" of the area.

The Beverly Hills location has been open 51 years according to the gent I spoke with. Go while you can!

~Rupe

[ Edited by: rupe33 2006-08-01 04:20 ]

I hope it lasts a least a few more weeks.. Trader Vic's is on my must visit list for when I fly out to L.A. in a few weeks... I'm really sad to hear its closing..

-- Zombiepops

Trader Vic's is a done deal.
See this site http://www.preservela.com/archives/2006_03.html

quote: "March 30, 2006

Trader Vic's Threatened
We've been hearing rumours and bits and pieces of this news for a couple years - It's now become official. A local developer is planning to demolish Trader Vic's, along with the Beverly Hills Hilton's executive conference center, Oasis Court, and the 514-space parking garage. The recently remodeled landmark 1950s hotel would remain.

"The owner of the Beverly Hilton is planning to bulldoze parts the famed hotel to make way for luxury residences, according to a report obtained by the Business Journal."

"Packard Bell co-founder Beny Alagem, who paid $130 million for the 569-room hotel two years ago from entertainment mogul Merv Griffin, wants to knock-down Trader Vic’s Restaurant and Bar, the executive conference center, the Oasis Court and the hotel’s 514-space parking garage."

"On those sites Alagem would build two 13-story buildings containing 96 condominiums, a 104-unit, 15-story condo hotel and 96 hotel rooms in two 3-story structures. The hotel’s parking would be put underground and increased to 1,422 spaces, to meet Beverly Hills’ codes."

"Though the main 353-room, 8-story tower designed by noted architect Welton Beckett would remain, the plans would result in a net reduction of 96 hotel rooms."

Full story from the L.A. Business Journal: Residences Planned for Beverly Hilton

Thanks to LAObserved.com for the reference.

LETS JUST BUY IT! & MOVE IT!!!!!

Whatever happened with this? Previous threads indicated efforts. Is there anything that can be done to reverse this decision?

The property has been sold to the new developer. That part is pretty certain. But according to Bruce Beckett (the son of the original architect, Welton Beckett) he told me that the developer will still need to get his plans approved by the city of Beverly Hills and that Bruce would be watching the proceedings carefully. Bruce is also an architect in West LA and doesn't care much for the new plan for the Hilton Hotel that Trader Vic's is attached to. With parking space for 3 times as many cars, he's very concerned what that would do to the already-heavy traffic congestion in the area.

I wish you all could see the 1950s photos of the original decor of both the hotel and TV's that I got to view in Bruce's archives. They were stunning. I also seem to remember early photos of TV's that show the dining area being more open than it is now.

If anyone on here really wants to get involved with any Modern/Tiki preservation efforts, this is the place to go:
http://www.modcom.org/

Also, if there are any preservation efforts in gear, the LA Conservancy would know: 213-623-CITY (2489)
(The Modern Committee is a subcommittee of the LA Conservancy.)
A lot of times there just aren't enough people to tackle all the efforts they want to go after. So if you know of anyone willing to devote a lot of time and energy to organize such an effort, please contact the LAC. It's a lot of work, but I have seen ordinary individuals that have made quite a difference in whether something stays or goes. The last I heard is that they were trying to get historical status for the entire hotel. But that was a few months ago.

Thanks Vintage Girl!

Can't make it down to SO CA that day from the Bay Area. When I have a bit more time I'll peruse the sight deeper to see if we can write in attendance.

On 2006-08-15 19:00, vintagegirl wrote:

But according to Bruce Beckett (the son of the original architect, Welton Beckett) he told me that the developer will still need to get his plans approved by the city of Beverly Hills and that Bruce would be watching the proceedings carefully. Bruce is also an architect in West LA and doesn't care much for the new plan for the Hilton Hotel that Trader Vic's is attached to.

Thanks for the hopeful news, Vintage Girl.

The city of Beverly Hills has just released a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed mixed use development at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard (The Beverly Hilton Oasis).

A public scoping meeting will be held Monday, Sept 18th, 2006 at the Public Library Auditorium, Second Floor, 444 North Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. Time: 6:30 to 8:30pm

The notice states that with the exception of the 8-story main hotel tower, all buildings surround the hotel will be demolished to accommodate “luxury” condominiums and “luxury” hotel/condominiums suites. The public meeting will outline the proposed development and the public will be given a chance to voice their opinions on the matter.

The city also invites written comments which should be mailed as soon as possible and at least no later that October 11 when the EIR begins. You may write to:

City of Beverly Hills
Department of Community Development
455 North Rexford Drive, Room G-40
Beverly Hills, California 90210
attn: Donna Jerex, Senior Planner

emails may also be sent to: [email protected]

So start writing your letters!

What's today's status for Vic's in Beverly Hills? I'm hearing it's going to close at the end of the year. :(

On 2006-11-20 09:08, Tiki Woo wrote:
What's today's status for Vic's in Beverly Hills? I'm hearing it's going to close at the end of the year. :(

Check out these threads:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=21811&forum=1&vpost=267209

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=21811&forum=1&vpost=267442&hilite=beverly%20hills,%20save

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=21792&forum=1&vpost=267443&hilite=beverly%20hills,%20save

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=21792&forum=1&vpost=267468&hilite=beverly%20hills,%20save

[ Edited by: Coco Loco 2006-11-20 10:22 ]

I believe I read on Humuhumu's blog that the tear down wasn't until 1.5 to 2 years from now. IF the plans are still not approved, it could be that long to get all the developer's ducks in a row before TV's closes their doors.

Did anyone see the Steve Lopez article which references Trader Vic's?
It really shows how TV is part of Southern California history.

Keeping Father Time in check
Steve Lopez
Points West

November 22, 2006

My favorite route to the office takes me along Riverside Drive in Silver Lake, through the hilly parkland around the Police Academy and Dodger Stadium and onto Broadway in Chinatown, where there's always an eye-catching scene.

Just past the Phoenix Bakery is Central Plaza, which is always alive with activity. At the center of the action, up to a dozen men are clustered around a table, peering down as if they'd never seen anything so fascinating in their long lives.

Gotta check this out, I'd been telling myself for months. But I was always in a rush. On Tuesday morning, I decided to make time.

I parked, walked under a pagoda and past a statue of Sun Yat-Sen, billed on a plaque as the founder of modern China. Two dozen people, mostly retired men, were milling about, reading Chinese newspapers, sipping coffee from Wonder Bakery and closing in around that table.

I shouldered my way in and watched two men take turns moving wooden disks with Chinese lettering across a checked game board. The players and even the spectators were too riveted to notice me, and they didn't look like they wanted to be interrupted.

I strolled over to the Hop Sing Tong Benevolent Assn., a private clubhouse, where William Mah appeared in the doorway and asked what I was after.

"What's that game?" I asked.

"Chinese chess."

Do they bet on it?

"Sometimes," Mah said, but money wasn't the point.

He told me to hold on while he went to retrieve his friend Wong Yee.

"Hello," said Mr. Yee, smiling as he shook my hand.

I asked him if he'd hung around this plaza long, and Yee threw his head back and laughed.

"All my life," he said, asking me to guess his age and then saving me the trouble.

"I came from China in 1931 at the age of 17," he said. "I'm 92."

He went to San Francisco first, where he delivered newspapers, then to Fresno, where he was a kitchen boy in a Chinese restaurant. Next stop was Los Angeles, where, during World War II, he was ferried over to Santa Catalina Island to build ships for the Pacific fleet. And then it was back to the restaurant business, including a long stint at a restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Mr. Yee's accent is thick, though, and I couldn't understand the name he was saying. One of his friends overheard and tried to help out, but I couldn't understand him either. Now a third guy was in the game, and the three of them began spelling it out.

T-R-A-D-E …

"Trader Vic's?"

They threw up their hands in triumph and patted me on the back.

Mr. Yee said Central Plaza has been his social hall for more than half a century, especially since retirement and his wife's death in 1988. He lives nearby, catches the bus at 7:30 and has coffee and Mexican sweet bread every morning at Wonder Bakery. Then he plays chess or mah-jongg at the Hop Sing clubhouse, throwing a few pennies on the table to make it more interesting. At 1:30 he heads home for a nap.

"What else can I do, an old man like me?"

I asked if he missed the country he grew up in.

"I don't know," he said. "It was a long time ago, and I don't remember much. You have to go where you can find something better. This is my second life."

A woman named Stella Wong stopped by on her way to a game of mah-jongg and said she was Mr. Wong's cousin. Then along came Jimmy Wong, another cousin who claimed to be 71.

You don't look it, I said.

"I played poker with Moses," Jimmy said.

"We're all cousins," he went on, pointing to Stella and Mr. Yee and a few others who were milling about, smoking Chinese cigarettes and taking some sun. "We're all from the same village in Canton."

Jimmy took it upon himself to escort me around, and Mr. Yee joined the party, the ambassador and mayor of Central Plaza. I asked Jimmy if there was a chess king in the crowd of regulars, and he said there was no league, no standings and no legendary player.

"There's no such thing as the best. We do this for happiness. That's the reward."

Jimmy runs the Chinatown Mission, a nonprofit social and business service organization, near what used to be Little Joe's restaurant. His office is in the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Assn. building, where the main auditorium has photos of George Washington and Sun Yat-Sen, and monthly meetings address issues like the beautification plan for the Chinese cemetery at 1st Street and Eastern Avenue. It's a subject close to the hearts of Chinese people, Jimmy said.

"Before, you couldn't bury Chinese people anywhere, because of the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882. You couldn't buy land." So people would secretly dig wherever they had to.

As we walked and talked, I noticed that Mr. Yee was checking his cellphone, which seemed a bit odd for an old-school gent of 92. I asked who he called on that phone.

"His girlfriend," Jimmy said.

Mr. Yee smiled like a teen.

Only one? I asked.

"That's a secret," Jimmy said, and Mr. Yee smiled again.

Jimmy, who's lived in South L.A. forever and has watched its colors change, struck me as a guy who makes things happen. And indeed, he said his current project is to raise $15 million for a Taoist temple.

"I've got two bucks right now," he said, "but Noah didn't have much wood when he started to build his ark."

He said he'd been a chef, a bartender and the poker columnist for Gambling Times. After he got a journalism degree from Cal State L.A. in 1957, he tried to find work at the L.A. Times but was told that with his name, the only work for him was in the kitchen.

"That's what they said," he insisted, saying he didn't take it personally. But he wasn't bothered, he said, because a proud man can't be offended by someone who's ignorant.

The three of us walked back toward the plaza, and when we passed the Grand Star Bar, Jimmy said he used to be a chef there and often chatted up a regular customer by the name of Henry Miller. Yes, that Henry Miller.

"He'd say, 'What do you want to talk about, Jimmy?' And I'd say, 'Don't talk about anything. Just drink.' "

And if they did talk, what about?

"It was Henry Miller," Jimmy said. "Sex."

Jimmy said lots of celebrities hung out in Chinatown back in the day, tipping a glass at Leopold's, the Golden Pagoda, the Rice Bowl, the General Lee and the Grand Star.

"You know why they came here? If you want to fool around with someone else's wife, this is a good place. Here, we don't talk."

Back in the Central Plaza, Mr. Yee plopped onto a bench and found an old friend to talk to, Jimmy excused himself to go to a meeting and a new game of Chinese chess drew a crowd.

Los Angeles is a thousand and one such places, little pockets where the people of the world make their lives and the untold stories stretch beyond the horizon.

[ Edited by: christiki295 2006-11-22 20:22 ]