Chateau Marmont
WE HAVE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT Actor Robert De Niro will stay away from Hollywood's Chateau Marmont. On March 4, 1982, he and Robin Williams visited John Belushi in one of the hotel's exclusive bungalows (history has it as either Bungalow 2 or 3.) The next day Belushi was found dead of an apparent drug overdose. Then in 1988, De Niro was burglarized twice while he stayed at the bungalows, apparently because he likes to sleep with the sliding doors open. (Bob baby, take a hint!) The first time, the thief took a sports jacket, cassettes and a camera. The second time, the burglar ran off with the keys to his Mercedes--and the car. The car was later recovered, but there is no word about the sports jacket.
Origins & Construction (1926–1929)
1926: Los Angeles attorney Fred Horowitz selects a site at Marmont Lane and Sunset Boulevard to construct upscale apartments. Inspired by photos of the Gothic-style Château d’Amboise in France’s Loire Valley, he initiates the project.(Wikipedia)
1927: Horowitz commissions his brother-in-law, architect Arnold A. Weitzman, to design a seven-story, L‑shaped, earthquake‑resistant building. The name “Chateau Marmont” is chosen, referencing the adjacent Marmont Lane.(Wikipedia)
February 1, 1929: Chateau Marmont officially opens as a luxury apartment-hotel hybrid. The debut reception draws over 300 guests and local press, with newspapers praising it as “Los Angeles’s newest, finest and most exclusive apartment house.”(Wikipedia)
Transformation into Hotel Amid Great Depression (1931–1940s)
1931: Facing high rents and low tenant retention during the Depression, Horowitz sells the property to Albert E. Smith, co‑founder of Vitagraph Studios, for $750,000 in cash. The building is converted into a hotel—apartments are reconfigured into suites with kitchens and living rooms, furnished with antiques from Depression-era estate sales.(Wikipedia)
1930s–1940s: The hotel gains celebrity residency appeal, partly fueled by its discreet, bohemian ambiance and proximity to emerging nightlife on the Sunset Strip.(SFGATE)
WWII & Mid-Century Developments (1940s–1960s)
1942–1963: Owned by German banker Erwin Brettauer, the hotel notably breaks Hollywood’s racial barrier by welcoming Black guests at a time when many local establishments did not.(Wikipedia)
1930s–1950s: Nine Spanish-style cottages and a pool are added; in 1956, architect Craig Ellwood designs two modernist bungalows.(Wikipedia)
Earthquake resilience: Built to withstand seismic events, Chateau Marmont survives major L.A. quakes in 1933, 1952, 1971, 1987, and 1994 with no significant structural harm.(Wikipedia)
Decline & Historic Preservation (1960s–1976)
1960s–early 1970s: The hotel falls into disrepair, described in media as “dowdy,” “shabby-genteel,” and an “elderly castle.”(Wikipedia)
After being on the market for two years, it is purchased in 1975 by Raymond R. Sarlot and Karl Kantarjian for $1.1 million. They renovate while preserving its historic charm.(Wikipedia)
1976: The hotel is added to the Los Angeles Historic‑Cultural Monuments list, cementing its heritage status.(Wikipedia)
Restoration & Modern Era (1990–Present)
1990: Hospitality entrepreneur André Balazs acquires and meticulously restores the hotel, blending preserved vintage character with modern luxury. The revival aims to evoke a romanticized Hollywood past.(Wikipedia)
2020: Plans are announced to convert Chateau Marmont into a members-only hotel, though certain restaurants would remain public.(Wikipedia)
2022: Those plans are canceled amid labor disputes; the hotel agrees to allow unionization of workers after facing boycotts and legal challenges.(Wikipedia)
Summary Table of Key Dates
Why Chateau Marmont Endures as a Hollywood Icon
Architectural Distinctiveness: Modeled after the Loire Valley's Château d’Amboise, it brought European elegance and advanced earthquake resistance to L.A.(Architectural Digest, Wikipedia, Discover Los Angeles)
Celebrity Magnetism & Secrecy: A sanctuary from fame, celebrated by industry leaders like Harry Cohn (“If you must get into trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.”).(SFGATE)
Cultural Footprint: Site of tragic losses (John Belushi in 1982; Helmut Newton in 2004) and a creative haven for artists and writers.(SFGATE)
Timeless Character: Its lived-in, imperfect charm and bohemian heritage continue to attract guests craving discretion and nostalgia.(Financial Times)
Would you like me to include more on its cultural presence—like film appearances, literature mentions, or celebrity stories—for the FamousHotels entry?
Rex Reed & Raquel Welch (1970)
Philip Pavel
Amanda Claff
dining room, lounge
swimming pool, fitness room, table tennis