Avi Brosh, president of local development company Palisades Development Group, has recently opened Custom Hotel, which is aimed at hip business users who want a fun, moderately priced hospitality option near LAX.
The hotel at 8639 Lincoln Blvd. was formerly the Furama Hotel, a staid business offering with good bones it was designed by Welton Beckett. Brosh has made over the place, painting the exterior black and outfitting the hotel with a secret lounge and themed floors.
The hotel reflects Brosh’s personal aesthetic and is quirky to be sure: Mini-bar options include socks, radish seeds and duct tape, along with the usual assortment of spirits. “You’d be surprised people are definitely using the more unorthodox items in the mini-bar,” Brosh said.
Earlier this year, Brosh told the Business Journal he and his team would design much of the furniture for the hotel. He stayed true to his word. In an interesting move, custom beds are placed in the middle of the hotel rooms so that guests can better take advantage of ocean and airport views. Desks are incorporated into the back of the beds’ headboards. “You are always reminded of how great a view you have,” Brosh said.
Dollars and Sense
If you want to find out just how weak the dollar’s gotten, talk to Eli Davidson. An L.A. business coach and motivational speaker, Davidson was in Europe recently promoting her book, “Funky to Fabulous.” In Oslo, Norway, she paid $70 for a short taxi ride. In a train station, she saw a $17 piece of cake, which she did not eat, and came across a $7 cup of coffee, which she did drink.
But she saw the flip side, too. Since Europe has a socialized medical system, she paid only $50 to see the doctor and get prescription medicine when she came down with the flu. The best part: the doctor made a house call and handed her the medicine.
This and That
In the aftermath of his $89 million legal victory against mall behemoth General Growth Properties over anti-competition claims, developer Rick Caruso said he has a whole new appreciation for juries. Caruso said that after the trial, jury members told him they saw through General Growth’s attempt to paint him as the “big guy.” “Jurors see through everything,” Caruso said. “They were very grateful I was on the stand. They didn’t appreciate the fact that General Growth was trying to go after my character.” Honda honcho Chuck Schifsky said he wasn’t surprised the company’s FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle was one of the stars of the L.A. Auto Show, trumping sports car offerings from automakers including Ferrari at the Nov. 14 press day. “We believe it’s the way of the future,” said Schifsky, manager of regional public relations operations for the carmaker. Schifsky has driven a rare prototype of the car, which will be offered to customers in L.A. next summer. You’ll be able to lease an FCX for $600 a month.
Daniel Miller can be reached at [email protected].
