Craft House Client, The Britely, California Cool
Welcome to The Britely, LAs Newest Member’s Club
Craft House client, The Britely, is “the soon-to-debut social club offers old Hollywood elegance suffused in California cool”
Members-only social club The Britely, debuting in December at the site of the Pendry West Hollywood Hotel and Residences, is poised to deliver an experience above and beyond what other exclusive community hubs have presented to discerning Angelenos, thanks to its collaboration with AD100 interior designer Martin Brudnizki.
Combining old Hollywood elements with modern touches in ways that thrill guests’ senses yet remain comfortable and inviting is not a new concept in California, but few are capable of pulling this off with more finesse than Brudnizki. The designer’s past projects comprise a who’s-who list of the most enviable establishments the world over — among them, hotels Soho Beach House in Miami and The Beekman in New York; private clubs Harry’s and Matteo’s, both of London; and restaurants such as Dubai’s Mina Brasserie, Toronto’s Cafe Boulud, and Matsuhisa in St. Moritz.
Based in London and New York, Brudnizki brings to The Britely an international design savvy that Californian aesthetes perpetually crave, one that incorporates a feeling of worldliness without ignoring a distinct sense of place. “When working in Los Angeles, we always look to the sky, the landscape and the vista,” Brudnizki says. “We also sought to create a connection between landscape elements and the interior design by incorporating flora and fauna in the fabrics throughout the spaces.”
Taking advantage of Southern California’s agreeable year-round climate was just one of Brudnizki’s well-implemented strategies. He explains, “In the case of The Britely’s outdoor spaces, this was the rule — to capitalize on the stunning view from our perch on Sunset Boulevard [and] to provide plentiful outdoor spaces for the guests and members to soak in the sun and enjoy the food and drink on offer.” After all, L.A. possesses the kind of climate for which a rooftop swimming pool and lounge combination was made — amenities which, by the way, members will be able to enjoy at The Britely. A private garden at the club’s entrance will also afford plush seating to those seeking fresh air.
Rest assured, however, there will be just as much to revel in that is indoors at the property, including a music venue, a screening room, bowling lanes, a state-of-the-art spa and a 24-hour gym. That’s to say nothing of the not one but two members-only dining experiences courtesy of world-renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck, including private bar and lounge areas, all serving modern California-inspired menus.
To tie these disparate areas together, Brudnizki conceived of a cohesive look inspired by the glamour and vibrancy of the cinema, and fresh colors synonymous with relaxed Californian style. “We’ve designed an elevated space which feels rooted in the neighborhood all while redefining modern-day club design,” he says. “It feels evocative of the elegance of the Hollywood of old, and I hope will offer members and their guests a feeling of escapism and fantasy. It’s all about the mix of high camp with high sophistication.”
Having employed a palette he describes as “fairly opulent,” Brudnizki has masterfully composed a scene complete with animal-print upholstery, floor lamps boasting pink ostrich feathers, and a gold ceiling that he says has “a sort of Jazz Age feel to it,” all within an architectural shell of dramatically dark timber with beautiful brass detailing. In one of the bars, pink and green marble and a striking blue and brass barfront are equal parts elegant and playful.
Under low light, the jewel-like colors and lacquered finishes of The Britely — now accepting applications for founding members — seem almost to glow. Says the designer, “The result is a place that feels sensual, tactile and seductive, just like the feeling one gets when sinking into an old cinema chair and kicking back to watch a classic picture.”
Brudnizki says he designed with The Britely’s tenets of community, curiosity and celebration clearly in mind, to manifest an environment whose rich sensory experiences would appeal to forward-looking individuals with shared cultural interests, regardless of their respective careers or backgrounds.
“We wanted to make sure The Britely, and The Pendry Hotel as a whole, can be seen as a place of community; a place where everyone can gather, share ideas and network,” he explains. “The club is divided into sections, meaning it’s not just a club room but is also a dining area, a bowling alley, a residential-style lounge bar and a private dining room for intimate functions. Because of this, the club will appeal to all ages, rather than being defined for one group only.”
The Britely’s commitment to creating a space for unwinding outside of Angelenos’ everyday routines is evident in both the gorgeous results of the collaboration with Brudnizki and the sheer scope of the anticipated offerings, which, no doubt, will be fully worth the wait. “We want people to come here and feel like they have escaped daily life and have arrived in a world where comfort and relaxation are at the heart,” Brudnizki says. “Alongside an interior that makes you feel glamorous and fun.”
$2,800/annual membership for founding members. 8430 Sunset Blvd., L.A.