The original Standard Hotel, a celebrity hotspot on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, announced it was closing today after 22 years of operation.
Opened by hotelier André Balazs in 1999, the hotel, its bar and its restaurant have become a favorite haunt for a host of stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman and Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the first investors.
However, celebrity support has waned in recent months amid the tight restrictions put in place in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and coupled with a rent hike, the hotel has been left unable to maintain itself, revealing in a communicated that it is now ‘impossible’ to stay open.
Shuttered: The Standard in West Hollywood announced it was closing as of today, accusing a “ significant increase in its lease making it impossible to operate the property ”
Star power: Opened by hotelier André Balazs (right) in 1999, the hotel, its bar and its restaurant have become one of the big favorites of the stars
Cool scene: The hotel, which was once the Thunderbird Motel and a retirement home, is not to be missed
Leonardo DiCaprio (left, at Standard) and Cameron Diaz (right, at Standard in 2012) were among the investors
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closure of Standard, Hollywood, which will close its doors indefinitely on Friday, January 22,” read a statement on the hotel’s website.
Upscale: the hotel group also owns the Chateau Marmont hotel in LA
“Despite 22 years of unconditional love for our hotel, our guests, our team and our community, the hotel has not been able to prevent a significant increase in its lease, which makes exploitation of the property impossible.
A representative for the hotel group told the Los Angeles Times that Ferrado Group, a real estate investment company that owns their lease, raised the price of the lease in 2019. It had become too expensive, despite attempts to renegotiate.
“ Living with personalities and personalities, and against the backdrop of countless legendary tales, Hollywood has been the birthplace of The Standard’s culture, ” the statement continued.
“ It came to life with its timeless design, live musical performances at Desert Nights, blue Astroturf pool scene, living art in ‘The Box’ and the many late misty nights of our nightclub incarnations: Purple Lounge, Mmhmmm and Giorgio’s.
Pictured: The Cactus Lounge, one of the many places where celebs could be found over the years
Chic: interiors were designed by movie designer Shawn Hausman
But not more! Its pool terrace has hosted countless parties
“Although there are and will be more Standard hotels, there will never be another Standard, Hollywood. And while it hurts to say goodbye, we know the community we inspired will live on. Thank you for everything. We are eternally grateful. ”
Standard International, the parent company that owns the hotel, also owns other outposts of The Standard in New York, Miami and London, though Hollywood’s was the first.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Benicio del Toro were all investors in Hollywood.
International standard, which Balazs resigned as president in 2017, also owns the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and Chiltern Firehouse in London.
Hotspot: Countless stars have stopped by over the years, including Fergie, pictured outside the hotel on Halloween in 2001
Iconic: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie celebrated their reality show The Simple Life at the hotel in 2003
Fame! Johnny Depp is pictured signing autographs outside the hotel in 2001
Lisa Rinna attended an event at the Standard Hotel on October 15, 2013
Hobnobbing: Owen Wilson is pictured with Hugh Hefner at the hotel in 2002 – while Girls Next Door star Holly Madison appears in the background
Flashback: Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale attended one of Gwen’s album release parties in 2004
The hotel, which was once the Thunderbird Motel and a retirement home, is not to be missed.
Its pool deck, Cactus Lounge, and the 24/7 Croft Alley restaurant, run by Chef Phuong Tran, were all favorites of Hollywood movers and shakers.
Over the years, The Standard has been sponsored by Johnny Depp, Mark Wahlberg, Alyssa Milano, Selma Blair, Nichole Richie, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon, Rose McGowan, Matthew Perry, Bob Saget, Gloria Estefan, Heather Graham, Daryl Hannah, Hilary Duff, Portia de Rossi, Oscar Isaac, Liv Tyler, Olivia Palermo, Christoph Waltz, Lisa Rinna and Tinsley Mortimer.
Other stars of the photographer include Fergie, Hugh Hefner, Dennis Rodman, Kristy Swanson, Rod Stewart and his daughter Kimberly Stewart, Tyson Beckford, James Van der Beek, Eve, Dave Grohl, Tara Reid, Fred Durst, Rob Schneider, Adam Lambert, Victoria Justice, Quentin Tarantino and Jeremy Piven.
On TV! The hotel also served as a film set in several locations and appears in two episodes of Sex and the City
Listening: The girls stay there in two episodes of season three that aired in 2000: “ Escape from New York ” and “ Sex and Another City ”
Approved by Carrie! Carrie and Samantha are pictured lounging by the Standard’s famous rooftop pool
The big screen: Brad Pitt’s name drops the hotel in 2004’s Ocean’s 12
In 2006, the cast of Entourage stopped for the season three episode “ Wanna Be Sedated ”
The Standard has also been used frequently as a TV and movie set over the years due to its star status – as well as the fact that its interiors were designed by set designer Shawn Hausman.
The ladies of Sex and the City were at Standard in Hollywood in two episodes of season three that aired in 2000: “ Escape from New York ” and “ Sex and Another City ”
Brad Pitt’s name drops the hotel in 2004’s Ocean’s 12, and in 2006 the cast of Entourage stopped for the season three episode “Wanna Be Sedated.”
Seth Rogen partied there in Green Hornet in 2011, and he was also featured in the 2015 Knight of Cups and Mortdecai films.
