Legendary Club Celebrated Completion of $65 Million Renovation in Style with an Exclusive West Coast Premiere of the 2008/2009 Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 2
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty Warner and Four Seasons
Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara have officially announced the reopening of
the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, a private membership club to which
Four Seasons guests also have access (the word "casino" in the '30s commonly
described a place for social gatherings) signifying the completion of a three
year, $65 million restoration of the legendary beachfront establishment.
Owner Ty Warner hosted an extravagant and star-studded reopening celebration
on September 25, returning the glamour and grandeur of the golden era back to
the iconic Coral Casino.
Julia Louis Dreyfus, Dennis Miller, Andrew Firestone, Carol Burnett,
Christopher Lloyd, Jason Wahler, Cole Hauser and Jake Weber, were amongst
those gathered in the celebration, once again evoking the classic glamour of
the Hollywood starlets for whom it was originally built in 1937. The evening,
complete with elaborate entertainment ranging from a floating symphony and
performances by DJ Mike Smith, Dita Von Teese protege Ava Garner, to an
exclusive west coast premiere of the Louis Vuitton 2008/2009 Cruise
Collection, quickly showed guests why the Coral Casino has been, since its
heyday, considered the ultimate playground for Hollywood and America's elite.
"To this day, people are still talking about the Coral Casino's parties of
the 30s, 40s, 50s -- complete with antidotes of Errol Flynn's swan dives,
Marlon Brando's secret cigar smoking spots, and Ester Williams Aquacades,"
said Ty Warner. "I wanted to host a gala that pays homage to the Coral
Casino's history while carrying the club into a new era; one that's as
glorious and celebrated as its past."
Perched directly on Butterfly Beach, this legendary beachfront
establishment and historic landmark, built in 1937, is a true haven for
leisure offering one of the most unique and exquisite Four Seasons guest
experiences in the world.
"Between its stunning locale and remarkable cachet, the Coral Casino is a
truly unique, special place that embodies the lifestyle of the American
Riviera," said Karen Earp, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore
Santa Barbara. "Mr. Warner's vision, relentless attention to detail and
unwavering fortitude in the historic restoration of this luxury club has
produced an amazing and authentically glamorous venue. We are proud to be
able to share with our guests such an exclusive opportunity to relax and play
here in one of the world's most breathtaking settings."
Under the architectural and interior design direction of Peter Marino, the
meticulous rehabilitation entailed reinstating sweeping ocean views while
honoring the original Scandinavian Modern architectural design, characterized
by crisp minimal detailing and the overall sense of being aboard a luxury
steam liner.
For his role, Peter Marino looked to the original architect for guidance.
"My concept was to faithfully restore the original design according to the
principles of its architect Gardner Dailey," stated Marino. "Comfort, elegance
and restrained glamour of the original design were all paramount
considerations in the rebuilding." Also included in the renovation were the
poolside Coral Cafe and Bar, spacious locker rooms with spa-like steam rooms
and saunas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, members' living room area, the
iconic tower entrance, Tydes Restaurant and the grand La Pacifica Ballroom and
Terrace.
Guests mingled around the club's main focal point, an entirely renovated
Olympic-sized pool and deck area bordered by 31 private cabanas and featuring
a whirlpool, children's wading pool and rooftop sun deck, while sampling
signature hors d'oeuvres and cocktails including vintage champagne and
desserts. The VIP after-party, a throwback to the golden era of sultry supper
soirees featuring the raspy vocals of acclaimed French jazz performer,
Morganne, served as the forum for the unveiling of the Coral Casino's brand
new second-story Tydes Restaurant and Bar.
With the historic restoration now complete, the Coral Casino Beach and
Cabana Club has re-opened its illustrious glass double doors to lucky members
and the world's most elite travelers. It once again offers members and guests
of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara a true haven for leisure and
recreation that embodies a timeless beach club experience, from poolside
sunbathing to elegant sunset cocktail parties, enhanced by thoughtful,
detailed Four Seasons service, all in one of California's most spectacular
settings. Initiation fees for new memberships -- a limited number of which
have been made available by Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts as part of its newly
launched Connoisseur Club - begin at $250,000.
A portion of the proceeds from the grand reopening event benefited Heal
the Ocean, a local non-profit organization that focusing on minimizing ocean
pollution through the testing and study of wastewater infrastructures and
stormwater contamination.
ABOUT FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA
Situated on the American Riviera, this beautiful historic property, with
its red roof tiles, ivory adobe and graceful archways, provides visitors a
luxurious and intimate retreat. Lit by romantic gas lamps, brick walkways
guide visitors through 20 acres of lush manicured tropical gardens surrounding
the 207 guest rooms, suites and cottages. The 10,000 sq. ft. Spa designed by
noted architect Peter Marino overlooks Butterfly Beach and features 11
treatment rooms, including four deluxe day suites with fireplaces and private
ocean view terraces. At Bella Vista Restaurant, Executive Chef Martin Frost
has created innovative seasonal menus that feature California cuisine inspired
by the region's fresh local bounty and produce. Santa Barbara's only AAA Five
Diamond resort, the property has received the coveted rating for three years
running and was awarded a spot on Robb Report's "World's 100 Ultimate Escapes"
since 2006.
ABOUT TY WARNER
Ty Warner owns hotel and resort destinations around the world, including
Four Seasons Hotel New York; Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara;
San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, and Las Ventanas, Cabo. Ty Warner is also known
for creating Beanie Babies and currently owns Ty Inc. Mr. Warner is ranked by
Forbes Magazine as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and is known
for his generosity having donated over $100 million to charities globally.
ABOUT PETER MARINO
Peter Marino, FAIA, is the principal of Peter Marino Architect, PLLC, an
internationally acclaimed architecture firm based in New York City. He is
assisted by eight Associates with a total of 135+ employees and satellite
offices in Philadelphia, Southampton, Santa Barbara and Paris. Mr. Marino has
an architecture degree from Cornell University and began his career at
Skidmore Owings & Merrill, George Nelson and I.M. Pei/Cossutta & Ponte. Since
founding his own firm in 1978, Mr. Marino's design contributions in the areas
of commercial, cultural, residential and retail architecture have helped
redefine modern luxury worldwide, emphasizing materiality, texture, scale,
light and the constant dialogue between interior and exterior. He is widely
known for his residential and retail designs for the most iconic names in the
fashion and art worlds: Fendi, Armani, Warhol, Valentino, Chanel, Louis
Vuitton, Dior, Donna Karan and Barneys New York.
ABOUT LOUIS VUITTON
A worldwide leader in luxury since 1854, Louis Vuitton has become
synonymous with the art of elegant travel. Its leather goods are renowned
throughout the world for ultimate quality, craftsmanship, innovation and
stylish luxury. From 1997, with the arrival of Marc Jacobs as artistic
director, it has extended its range to women and men pret-a-porter, shoes,
watches and jewelry. Louis Vuitton has an exclusive network of 407 wholly
owned stores in 59 countries around the world. It has been a member of LVMH
Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the greatest and most successful luxury goods
group worldwide since 1987.
SOURCE Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
