YNOT – Nearly three years after the death of a beloved member of the Los Angeles BDSM community, a new venue has arisen from the ashes of the lifestyle club torched to hide his murder.
Christened Sanctuary Studios LAX, the new facility opened last week as one of Southern California’s largest fetish play spaces. The 7,000-square-foot building also is available for mainstream and adult video production and private parties.
The club sits on the site formerly occupied by Passive Arts, which until mid-2010 was home to a thriving community of BDSM enthusiasts. In July 2010, a disgruntled former employee entered the facility and shot to death owner John Lavine and his dog, then attempted to cover the murders by setting fire to the building. In November 2012, a jury handed David Edward Albert a sentence of 56 years to life in prison after convicting him of murder, arson and cruelty to an animal. According to court transcripts, Albert, 55, had worked as a janitor for Passive Arts until his dismissal and banishment from the property for inappropriate behavior with guests.
Albert’s sentencing only weeks before Sanctuary’s Phoenix-like rise caused a bittersweet double celebration in the community, one member said.
Located in Lennox, Calif., near Los Angeles International Airport, Sanctuary offers seven furnished rooms plus a kitchen, locker room, green room, double shower and large ballroom with stage. Many dungeon furnishings were created by well-known designers Sonny Black and Downtown Willy. The facility also offers stage lighting, a 64-channel sound mixing board, wireless internet access and on-site parking. On-site security is available upon request.
“Everything is up to code, because we rebuilt the space from the ground up,” said Mistress Cyan, a respected professional Dominatrix to whom Lavine’s estate handed the reins after his death. “Much of our facility, including the lighting, kitchen and bathroom facilities, is brand new.”
Studios began booking the space as soon as the ink dried on the occupancy permit.
“I shot an elaborate crowd scene for my Adam & Eve release The Truth About O at Sanctuary Studios LAX,” said Ernest Greene, president of Ernest Greene Studios. “Mistress Cyan and her staff couldn’t have been more helpful. The facilities were roomy and well-equipped, with plenty of space available for lighting and other technical gear. Most of all, the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. I happily give my highest recommendation to this facility as a shooting location.”
For more information, visit SanctuaryLAX.com or call 310-910-0525.
