Trader Vic’s in Beverly Hills
The Trader Vic’s in Beverly Hills is located in the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which after being owned by Merv Griffin for many years was recently sold. A few small rumors about changes have been bouncing about, and I’ve just received an anonymous tip that there are plans underway for it to be demolished and replaced with a tower. The anonymous tipster claims to have a connection to an organization involved in the project. Take it all with a grain of salt, but it doesn’t sound good. The Beverly Hills Trader Vic’s is the oldest of the remaining Trader Vic’s, having opened in 1955.
January 29th, 2006 at 7:29 am
I certainly hope this doesn’t come to pass. As you probably know, I’ve had some fairly odd brushes with power-trippers and quasi-celebs at the BH Vic’s, so it’s earned kind of a special place in my life. I would also miss that awesome photo gallery of Merv hobnobbing with the Hollywood elite.
January 26th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
[...] Plans have been changed — condos are out, Waldorf is in When word first broke one year ago here on Humu Kon Tiki that the Trader Vic’s was threatened, the plans called for the corner of Wilshire & Santa Monica (where the Trader Vic’s sits on Hilton property) to be turned into a new tower of condominiums. The LA Times reports the developers have found significant resistance from the community, and have now revised their plan. The condo idea has been tossed, and instead they will build a 120-room Waldorf hotel on the spot. The plans still call for the Trader Vic’s to be demolished. The new plans will likely be voted on in the fall of 2007. [...]