LAAC is more than a gym. It’s a hub for wellness, creativity, and social connection. It’s also home to an Olympian-worthy pool and a luxury hotel where Charlie Chaplin once stayed.
Members and guests have full access to the Club’s deluxe facilities and first-rate restaurants (like Famous Players and Invention). Hotel guests enjoy limited membership privileges during their stay.
Founded 1880
The Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) was the city’s first private institution of its kind, founded in 1880 when downtown LA consisted of 11,000 residents and the preferred mode of transportation was the stagecoach. In 1912, the club moved to its spectacular location on Olive and 7th streets in a building built expressly for the club.
A defining characteristic of athletic club Los Angeles is its steadfast commitment to amateur sports sponsorship, which has been a tradition since the club’s inception. The LAAC’s history of fostering an inclusive community is evident in its collaborations and partnerships with local businesses, organizations and athletes, which reflect a true sense of pride and passion.
Throughout the decades, the Club has been home to some of the most legendary athletes in the world. During the 1932 Summer Olympics, LAAC members earned an astounding 97 medals, including 47 gold.
In addition to its world-class athletic facilities, the club is known for its elegant spaces that are perfect for hosting weddings and events. We helped the Club elevate its brand, reflecting the luxury and sophistication of a historic landmark in downtown Los Angeles. We dug into its archives and provided a contemporary typographic system, refined color palettes and fresh graphics that celebrate its rich heritage while looking toward the future.
Home to champions like you
The Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) is a private social club and deluxe fitness center nestled in an early 20th century 12-story building Downtown. With state-of-the-art sports and spa facilities, as well as first-rate restaurants and bars like Famous Players and Invention, LAAC is a haven for the body, mind and spirit.
In the early 1910s, the club became known as one of the leading teams in Europe thanks to its dominant team under coach Billy Barnes. Between 1914 and 1919 the team won a triple of La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and a national championship. They also played a major role in the formation of the “Eva Duarte Cup”, which replaced the earlier Spanish Supercup, with the winner of the La Liga championship meeting the winner of the Copa del Rey.
The current era of success started in the mid-1920s with the arrival of English coach Fred Pentland. He revolutionised the way the club played by favouring short passing and attacking football. The club won the league and cup double in 1930 and 1931, with the latter featuring a controversial victory over Maradona’s FC Barcelona that resulted in a brawl in which the Argentine player took exception to an elbow from an Athletic defender. It was the first of many memorable wins for the club, which now has the highest winning percentage in the history of the Spanish league.
Discover legendary athletics facilities
With the launch of our rebrand, the Club’s historic architecture and legendary athletic facilities were brought to the forefront. Located in the heart of downtown, this club-hotel-fitness-social-club hybrid features state-of-the-art sports and spa facilities, luxury meeting and event spaces, and a variety of high-end dining options.
Founded in 1880, this storied club took the concept of a “club for sport” seriously. Its founding members wanted to dispel stereotypes of lazy Californians by engaging in rigorous physical activity. This mission continues today with the LAAC Hotel, where you’ll find an Olympic-sized pool, a workout facility that’s been featured in a few episodes of Mad Men and was once a training hub for multiple Olympians.
The LAAC has hosted the Olympics twice (the 2028 Summer Games are scheduled), and its athletes have won numerous championships. Whether you’re a member looking to hone your skills or a visitor coming to take in UCLA sports history, there’s a place for everyone at the LAAC.
The LAAC Hotel offers deluxe Queen and King rooms, with suites available as well. Each room is decorated in dark colors with bright accents, and provides a flat-screen cable TV, turn-down service, and a refrigerator. Guests of the hotel are also invited to use the private Club facilities, and can enroll in the Olive Club membership program during their stay.
Embrace the dynamic vibe of DTLA
Long before members-only clubs like Soho House became hubs for social interaction, professional networking and special interests (like magic), the LAAC was built to promote physical culture, a philosophy still deeply rooted in our club today.
The resurgence of Downtown LA is fueled by billions in development, infrastructure and civic investments. The downtown market is growing at a rapid pace and changing in exciting ways, and forward-thinking retailers are positioning themselves to tap into its economic momentum and cultural cachet.
A hive of activity, the revitalized downtown market is where pioneering culinary trends and vibrant nightlife are attracting people from all walks of life. Boutique hotels, new restaurants and bars, and a growing collection of independent retail spaces are bringing an urban energy that is transforming the area.
DTLA is also home to some of the city’s most dynamic and diverse communities, including Chinatown, a unique blend of tradition and revitalization. Its historic district features traditional acupuncture and herbal shops, a modern art museum, the iconic TLC Chinese Theater and a hodgepodge of dining and shopping options.
Whether you’re seeking an upscale wedding venue or a night of craft cocktails, DTLA has something for everyone. Moxy DTLA is a hotel with rooms for rent and members only access to the athletic club and other club amenities, but it’s the carefully curated programming that integrates the property into the broader community and introduces guests to DTLA’s tastemakers and creators that truly sets Moxy apart.