At $100, it’s the hottest little ticket among industry Democrats because it not only goes to elect Hillary Clinton, but also gives patrons a chance to see former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s chic new Hollywood Hills pad.
The draw for the Aug. 17 Clinton fundraiser at Casa Villaraigosa is ostensibly former Barack Obama pollster Joel Benenson, one of the Dems’ savviest number crunchers, but lots of local Hillary supporters will be writing checks for either $100 or $500 to get a look at the house. (Clinton, who was just in town for a fundraiser at talent manager Scooter Braun‘s house, won’t be there.)
The former mayor bought the chic white contemporary last March for $2.5 million after living in Venice and Santa Monica. The home and its extensive terraces provide what are described as “iconic” views of the downtown L.A. skyline, the Griffith Park Observatory and the Hollywood sign.
Villaraigosa bought the 3,600-square-foot home, which was built in 1977, from Vance Lorenzini, a music video producer who won MTV Video Music Awards for art direction in Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and Aerosmith’s “Livin‘ on the Edge.” According to the real estate listing, Lorenzini personally designed the interiors.
When asked by the organizers to host the evening event, Villaraigosa, a longtime Clinton booster, reportedly agreed without hesitation, and supporters — including CAA’s Michael Kives and political strategist Bill Burton — have been papering the town with invitations.
For those who can tear themselves away from all those spectacular views, it might be interesting to hear Benenson explain the Bernie Sanders surge in New Hampshire.
