Picture this. You are standing before the Hollywood Athletic Club. A majestic building on Sunset Boulevard. This wasn’t just any gym. It was a legendary hub for Hollywood’s Golden Age. Built in 1924 it was once the tallest building in Hollywood.
The Hollywood Athletic Club opened its doors to a glittering array of stars. Johnny Weissmuller. Errol Flynn. Charlie Chaplin. The list reads like a who’s who of classic cinema. Membership was exclusive. A hefty initiation fee of $150 and monthly dues of $10 were required. Even then it was a place of luxury. It boasted an Olympic-sized swimming pool. There was a gymnasium. There were also steam rooms saunas and even hotel rooms.
Imagine the stories these walls could tell. Jean Harlow famously showed up in nothing but a fur coat. She was apparently stood up by Dick Powell. She made sure he knew what he was missing. Cornel Wilde started here as a fencing instructor. He was later discovered by some of the stars he taught. Buster Crabbe trained in the pool. He later became the iconic Flash Gordon. Even John Wayne had a penthouse suite. He was known to throw billiard balls at passing cars.
The Hollywood Athletic Club wasn’t just about fitness. It hosted the first Emmy Awards. It was also a social hub. It hosted lavish parties. Many famous people frequented the club. The Beach Boys. Van Halen. Even royalty graced its halls.
Gary Berwin bought the club in 1978. He spent $11 million restoring it to its former glory. He transformed it into the Berwin Entertainment Complex. It attracted the jet set. It housed Island Records and recording studios. The Michael Jackson family almost bought it. Joe Jackson even visited daily. The deal almost went through. The Jacksons however didn’t approve of any potential tenants.
The Hollywood Athletic Club has seen many changes. From a bustling athletic club to a film location. It remains a piece of Hollywood history. It also remains a reminder of Hollywood’s glamorous past. It continues to fascinate and inspire today. It still stands tall on Sunset Boulevard. It continues to hold its head high. A testament to Hollywood’s enduring magic.