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West Hollywood-------Legendary
Sunset Strip rock clubs Gazzari's, the Rainbow, the Roxy and the Whisky
are in the process of receiving historical landmark status, according
to David Amorena, Assistant Planner for the City of West Hollywood.
This effectively lays to rest persistent rumors that these rock clubs
will be torn down to make way for high-rise buildings. "All these properties
are on a list (prepared by the city) of buildings that will eventually
be recommended for historical landmark designation," states Amorena,
"Which will most likely happen by the end of the year. In the meantime,
we'll treat them as such. This would prohibit Gazzari's, the Whisky,
the Roxy and the Rainbow, as well as many of the regional properties,
such as Ben Franks, the St. James Club and Roxbury, from being demolished."
With a state grant obtained in 1987, the City of West Hollywood initiated
a committee to survey the city for potentially significant buildings.
According to Amorena, the Sunset Strip buildings under consideration
need to first meet the Preservation Ordinance criteria before qualifying
for historical landmark status. The Preservation Ordinance state that
the building must have some important relationship to the growth and
development of the city, is associated with significant individuals
or demonstrates a unique or excellent example of architectural style.
Such is the case with the Whisky. In addition to its rich musical history,
the building itself, according to Amorena, qualifies the Whisky as an
historical landmark: "The building which houses the Whisky was originally
built in 1928 with an art deco style, and there are few art deco buildings
left on the Sunset Strip." The Whisky, which was converted to a nightclub
in the early Sixties, is currently owned by the Louise M. Klous Trust
and is leased to Mario Maglieri and his management partners, Elmer Valentine
and Lou Adler. "Do you know how much history has occurred at the Whisky?"
says 68-year-old nightclub veteran Maglieri. "I've got dozens of years
left on the Whisky lease, and I'm in the process of buying the building."
Commenting on the future of the Sunset Strip rock scene, longtime stalwart
Mario Maglieri states emphatically, "There's no chance that the Sunset
Strip is over. It's going to be here long after you and I are gone."
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