News & Media

< Back to main press page

Not-so-simple life of Hilton venture
Published October 22, 2004

The biggest buzz in downtown Orlando this week centers on the incoming Club Paris, a two-story club devoted to Ms. Paris Hilton herself (she of infinite riches and Internet infamy).

The word leaked last week when Orlando businessman and self-described high roller Fred Khalilian announced that he would be partnering with the Hilton heiress to open a series of clubs under the Paris moniker -- starting with Orlando down on Church Street.

Khalilian tells me that Club Paris, Orlando, will open Dec. 30 for a black tie, celebrity only event and then relaunch on New Year's Eve for its grand opening to the general public.

That is, if it opens on time.

I toured the club on Monday and the sprawling space still resembles its previous occupant, the grand old-style Orchid Garden ballroom. No sign of light-up bars or dance floors.

But Khalilian assures me that by New Year's Eve, the hotel feel will be replaced by neon lights, top-40 music and a top-notch VIP area -- which will include a private DJ, Miami-style beds and a dance floor just for Hilton (who is obligated to visit the club at least twice a month).

Plus, there will be a private cigar and martini lounge for the important guests out there and a huge dance floor that will likely rival Tabu, Matrix and Metropolis.

The opening should be the biggest to hit Church Street in years. And although many may not agree with the controversial Hilton (whom the tabloids peg as somewhere between obscene and ignorant), the big name could draw back some of the star power this city saw when Shaq and the crew still played for the Magic -- and pull some tourists away from the theme parks too.

That's the hope anyway. There's always the worry that this venture could be a massive flop that overcharges the usual partygoers and ends up hurting the already beleaguered Church Street area.

I hope that's not the case, but one never knows.

Still, the New Year's Eve bash promises to be (at the very least) the most hyped party in Orlando. Khalilian tells me that Hilton is expected to be at the Orlando club until 9 p.m., and then she will board a plane to fly to Las Vegas -- to open a Club Paris there.

A video camera will monitor Hilton's entire trip, with feeds back to the club throughout the journey. (Insert Hilton video joke here).

Anyway, tickets to the event go on sale next week -- so start saving now. Regular admission is $199, VIP admission is $249. VIP private booths and beds are available for $999; for more information, check clubparisor lando.com (the site is scheduled to be up by today).

< Back to main press page