Clubs

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By NOLA L. SARKISIAN

Staff Reporter

Downtown L.A.’s venerable Jonathan Club, looking to capitalize on the opening of Staples Center and other developments in the area, is renovating its facility and making it easier to become a member.

“Because of the Staples Center, the Disney (Concert) Hall and the Cathedral, we think the future of downtown is bright and we want to be ready for it,” said club General Manager Paul Astbury.

The 13-story, Italian Renaissance building that houses the Jonathan Club is in the midst of a $2 million facelift at its downtown building and Santa Monica Beach facility. The downtown refurbishments include expanding the Tap Room and enhancing the fifth-floor athletic center.

The club also is trying to boost the number of members under 40 by increasing the cap in that bracket from 350 to 450. For now, no changes are planned in the club’s $10,000 initiation fee or $265 monthly dues.

The club has increased current membership to 3,200 still short of 1983’s level of 3,800. That was before a drop-off in downtown business activity, a change in tax laws that no longer allowed membership dues to be written off, and the general loss of favor by exclusive private clubs.

“There were tough times, but the membership has come back,” said Astbury.

Despite the push for new members, things aren’t getting too lax, at least as far as attire goes. Club President Gregory Hickey notes that the casual dress now allowed daily in the Tap Room means “a collared shirt and slacks for men. No jeans and no tennis shoes.”

Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the initiation fee has been slashed by 50 percent, to $500. Monthly dues remain $135.

“We have had a marked increase in membership in the last year and a half,” said sales and marketing coordinator Mary Veleur, who declined to provide exact numbers.

And at the 1,000-member California Club, no changes in the dress code are planned to keep up with the Jonathan.

“No casual wear. It’s not necessary for members. There’s the California Club and there’s everybody else,” said Clifford Miller, club membership director.

California Club members are permitted to loosen their ties on an outdoor patio during working lunches.

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