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Welcome to the LAAC
SquashSite has covered a few events at the Los Angeles Athletic
Club, but nothing gave any impression of the size, history or sheer
impressiveness of the place. To give you an idea, I asked Bob
Hanscom, the squash supremo here and the guy behind it all of
this, how many people worked here. Oh, hundreds, was the reply,
which put it all into a bit of perspective.
Built in 1918, with twelve floors, its about time we had a
good look around the LAAC, so here it is, in several parts
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Part One, Floors
One and Two |
Floor 1: Front Desk
As a club and a hotel there's a
lot of visitors and guests to attend to, and the staff on the front
desk are especially friendly and helpful. Also on the first floor
are membership services and entrance to the Olive Park Garage
(no-one walks in LA ...)
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Floor 2: Duke's Sports Bar
A quiet, secluded bar open only at Lunchtime, Dukes shares the
second floor with offices for the club's management.
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Part Two, Floors Three to Five |
Floor 3, Food & Drink
The third floor is where the club really opens out, using its full
width for the first time. It contains the main dining room, grill
bar, wine cellar, food & beverage office and of course the main bar
and game room.
It was the venue for the 'Meet the Players' function where members
and sponsors mingled with the WISPA stars in a very pleasant evening
function which also featured a silent auction of some spectacular
sports and musical memorabilia.
Apparently the main dining room is very popular for weddings and
other functions, and with its ample room, spectacular chandeliers
and general wonderful ambience it's no wonder ... |
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Part Four, Floors Eight and Nine |
Floor 8, Racket Sports
Four squash courts (two converted from Racketball), two handball
courts, table tennis, a snackbar/lounge area, fitness room, it's a
club within a club and would in itself put many dedicated clubs to
shame.
The squash courts are immaculately maintained, the walls are cleaned
twice a week!
This is Bob's domain, and it shows ...
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Floor 9, Yoga Studio & Offices
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Part Five, Hotel & Rooftop Patio |
Floors 9 to 12, Hotel
The club has 72 rooms, all single with some suites for the use of
members and public.
Being comparatively old the rooms are extremely spacious, and hotel
guests make use of the restaurant, bar and other facilities
throughout the club.
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Rooftop Patio
Ideal for parties, and what a place for a glass court, with seven or
eight mega-corporations overlooking it, guaranteed terrific exposure
for any major event staged here ...
Anybody listening ???
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