The Abbey, West Hollywood's Social Hub on "Oscar Alley,"
Breaks Ground on Final Expansion

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA., Dec. 22 2003 - Following expansion approval from the West Hollywood Planning Commission, construction has began on what owner David Cooley terms the "final and most elegant expansion of The Abbey to date." Located at 692 North Robertson Blvd., just south of Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, the Abbey's two-million dollar renovation will encompass the last remaining space of land held by the adjacent Terra Cotta International.

This marks The Abbey's fifth and final expansion since 1991, when Cooley first occupied the space now held by Bossa Nova, across Robertson Blvd.

With round-the-clock (8 - 2 a.m.) service of food, beverages and pastries, this latest expansion brings The Abbey's staffing to 128. The restaurant's dining, bar and lounge space will be extended and a new menu is being created for its breakfast, lunch and dinner service. A state-of-the-art DJ booth and sound system will allow the Abbey to provide both ambient music and DJ-driven live music.

Says West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang, "The Abbey has been a major social and cultural asset to the community; it provides guests wonderful ambiance, employment opportunities for local residents, and healthy tax revenue to support City services. David Cooley is a model corporate citizen and we are proud of his success with The Abbey, which has become a landmark institution in the LGBT community."

The Abbey's distinctive atmosphere and prime geographic location allows it to discretely cater to innumerable A-list celebrities including; Leonardo DiCaprio, Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Lawrence Fishburne and of course, all Fab-Five from TV's 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'. The auspicious interior design, private cabanas and spacious patios have also provided the ideal setting for TV shows from "21 Jump Street" to "ElimiDate," and MTV's "Road Rules."

Don Randall, of Randall/Baylon Architects Inc. is practically a celebrity himself. Randall has been contracted by big names and big business alike. Lead designer Gavin Bodin comments, "In the tradition of the Abbey, the new rooms will be full of different exotic textures and a myriad of nooks and crannies on different levels, high and low."

The Abbey is best recognized outside of the Gay and Lesbian community as part of "Oscar Alley," where awards night festivities along Robertson Boulevard run the gamut from the Vanity Fair party and the Elton John's soiree to The Abbey's own, "The Envelope Please," benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA).

Oscar season is busy at The Abbey, but it's not the only time that owner Cooley gives back to the West Hollywood community. Cooley donates his time and property to AIDS Walk Los Angeles' VIP Breakfast, and fundraising efforts have often taken place at Cooley's Hancock Park estate; raising money for elder housing in the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender (LBGT) community.

The Abbey, in addition to being known as a celebrity haunt, has won numerous accolades including: Best of CitySearch.com for "Best Gay and Lesbian Bar," ZagatGuide proclaimed it the "Best in West Hollywood Nightlife," and Los Angeles Magazine hails The Abbey as "The Best Gay Bar to Bring a Straight Friend To," in its annual 101 Things We Love issue. The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce designated The Abbey "Best Restaurant in 2003," as well as the West Hollywood Awards deeming it "Outstanding Restaurant and Bar 2003."

The grand opening celebration for the newly expanded Abbey is scheduled for early Spring 2004.

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