The revival of gold-diggers entertainment
An 11-room boutique hotel, bar and state-of-the-art music recording studio make up this unique full music campus in the heart of la’s east hollywood
Introducing Gold-Diggers , LA’s most unique new hotel and music concept. After two years of planning and renovation, the illustrious Gold Diggers Entertainment building in LA’s burgeoning East Hollywood neighborhood has been given new life. Gold-Diggers is a bar , boutique hotel and recording studio all within a single campus. Inheriting the historic dive that brought flash and trash to Santa Monica Boulevard for decades, the new Gold-Diggers builds upon the location's legendary history , creating a space unlike anywhere else. With more than three decades of iconic Hollywood history behind it, the newly expanded Gold-Diggers campus is poised to quickly become the heartbeat of the hospitality, music and nightlife scenes in Los Angeles, as it plays host to industry elite, and welcomes hotel guests from around the globe.
Owner Dave Neupert , who is a partner in essential eastside hotspots like La Cita, Short Stop, Footsies, Melody Lounge, El Dorado and Monty Bar, had always dreamed of opening a hotel and music campus concept in Los Angeles, but hadn’t found the right location. However, when he discovered the well-known Gold Diggers building was not only permitted to be an 11-room hotel above the existing bar space, but had already been one in the past, he knew this could be it. The well-known building was originally built as an “Inn above a Tavern” in 1924, directly on Santa Monica Blvd back when it was the famous Route 66. This inspired Neupert to revive it as a modern “Bed and Beverage” concept: a boutique hotel above a bar.
The East Hollywood property’s incredible backstory does not stop there - the large studio space behind the Gold-Diggers bar was formerly an infamous music rehearsal space that hosted hundreds of punk rock and metal bands throughout its history. It was also the location of Ed Wood’s soundstage, Quality Studios, where he filmed his infamous cult classic Plan 9 from Outer Space. Upon discovering this storied past, it was then Neupert decided to resurrect the building’s full history. He set out to create LA’s first and only full music campus complete with a boutique hotel, recording studio and bar -- and in the spirit of the location’s legendary past, the concept DRINK.SLEEP. RECORD . was officially born.
“ We are so excited to finally open the doors of the Gold-Diggers campus to the public. For so long East Hollywood has been a forgotten neighborhood, but we hope to shine a light on its rich history - and now be a part of it”, said owner Dave Neupert.
ABOUT THE HOTEL
The 11-room boutique hotel is located just above the bar, and like the perfect album, every room has its own distinct vibe. Each is unique in design and layout, yet all are unified by the idea of relaxation, comfort and retreat. Designed by architect David Wick of Wick Architecture and Design , in collaboration with Tiffany Howell of Night Palm Studio , the concept was heavily inspired by music and NY’s famous Chelsea Hotel, and are meant to feel more like an apartment than just a room. Each room is stylishly dressed with a mix of custom built jewel toned furniture, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, cassette tapes and rare books, art and music from local designers and musicians. Inspired by the idea of having a musician and visual artist create the hotel artwork, Neupert commissioned Andrew Savage, singer of the band Parquet Courts and Grammy Nominee for his art and design in “Best Recording Package” category, to create original paintings for each hotel room and the public areas. Other thoughtful details to make the Gold-Diggers stay complete include Parachute linens and towels, Malin+Goetz bath products and unexpected artisanal in-room accessories such as a signature room scent, handmade ceramic coffee mugs, velour pillows, Oddbird bathrobes, as well as a customized mini bar, aka the “Room Rider” which includes Monk Provisions CBD Elixirs and a custom Pleasure Kit made by The Pleasure Chest. Instead of a mint, each room comes with a custom vinyl LP on the pillow of the bed as a gift, created by Gold-Diggers Music Supervisor, Justin Gage, founder of the highly regarded Aquarium Drunkard music blog. Room rates start at just under $200 and are available to book beginning in September.
ABOUT THE BAR
Also designed by David Wick of Wick Architecture and Night Palm Studio’s Tiffany Howell, the sleek new look of the Gold-Diggers bar includes beautiful dark wood chevron paneling, textured wall coverings, a lush gold velvet stage curtain, gold deco pendant lighting and accents, a brass top, marble tables, and tufted leather seating. With a nod to the bar’s past, the owners embraced updating the design to make it feel like a sensual dive, keeping just the right amount of sleaze. Justin Gage (Aquarium Drunkard) oversees the music and it is already home to Heat Wave, one of LA’s hottest weekly parties. The bar is also outfitted with studio quality sound and sound-proofing making it truly one of the best and most unique live music experiences in the city. Gold-Diggers bar has hosted performances from acts such as Iceage, Nick Waterhouse, Mary Lattimore, Sofi Tukker, Julianna Barwick, Luna and more.
ABOUT THE RECORDING STUDIO
Gold-Diggers Sound is the last of the three businesses to officially open on the campus. The multi-room recording complex is a collaboration between Neupert and Kingsize Soundlabs owners Dave and Ronna Trumfio. The facility features 9 various sized, professionally designed and acoustically engineered writing, tracking and mixing studios equipped with all the best from API, Neve, SSL, Universal Audio, Tube-Tech, Undertone Audio, ATC, ProAc, Adam, Focal, Neumann, AKG, Beyer, AEA, Royer, Coles and more. Managed by industry veteran Simon Horrocks and Grammy-award-winning engineer Eric Gorman, the full-service facility also features an artists’ lounge and multi-use sound-stage available to all 9 studios as a large tracking stage which can be used independently for events, live performances, intimate screenings or audio visual productions.
Material Used :
1. End Grain Wood Floors: Old Wood LLC
2. Millwork (bed platforms, closet bars): Doc’s Wood Shop
3. Lighting (Repurposed Vintage Lighting): Mid Century L.A. & Ebay
4. Tile & Stone Finishes (Restrooms): Wink Design Source / Proper Tile
5. Barn Door Hardware (Room Dividers): Artisan Hardware
6. Furnishings, Fabrics & Decor: Night Palm Studio
7. Signage: Integrated Sign Associates
8. Doors & Windows: Alpine Door & Trim
9. Paint: Dunn Edwards
10. Artwork (Paintings): Andrew Savage
