Roof Collapse Sparks Chaos at Celeb-Filled Chateau Marmont

A Chaotic Brunch at Chateau Marmont

Guests at the celebrity-filled Chateau Marmont found themselves in a chaotic situation on Saturday when parts of the roof began falling into the outdoor dining area due to high winds. The incident occurred during brunch service at the luxurious Los Angeles hotel, which has long been a favorite spot for Hollywood’s elite.

Among the diners was “Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen, who was sitting around 20 feet away from the commotion. He looked up and watched the unfolding events in horror before returning to his phone. One woman in the group managed to jump up and hold a gutter in place to prevent it from falling on her companion, while others turned their heads in surprise after hearing a loud bang.

Staff quickly moved diners near the scene further into the courtyard and cordoned off tables close to the building. The incident happened during a tense brunch at the 97-year-old hotel, where glasses were smashed behind the bar and emergency helicopters circled overhead due to a nearby hillside fire.

“It was chaos. Bits of the roof suddenly started falling and we all started quickly trying to finish our food and get out,” one witness said. “The waiters looked shocked and didn’t really know what to do, but quickly moved a table away from the building after the gutter almost hit her.”

Halfway through the morning brunch, a slate fell off the roof and landed just feet away from a table of three. Staff rushed over to investigate. Around five minutes later, a huge crash was heard as an 8-foot piece of guttering slammed down on top of a heater and had to be held up by a guest.

Staff raced over to the table and grabbed the metal pipe, quickly moving diners to a free table in the courtyard area. One worker could be heard muttering: “What the f—k is happening?”

To add to the chaos, later in the day a bartender accidentally knocked over a number of glasses, creating a loud crash. Throughout the service, witnesses reported hearing helicopters buzzing overhead and seeing fire engines speed past as crews worked to contain the flames on the hillside above the hotel.

Plumes of smoke could be seen rising above Laurel Canyon throughout the morning as crews worked to control the fire. The Chateau Marmont has become one of the most popular hangouts for LA’s celebrity elite, with stars like Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney often spotted there.

However, the hotel has also gained a reputation for being “perfectly imperfect,” with complaints about repairs to plumbing, heating, and cracked tiles in the pool and restaurant. The hotspot is known for its secrecy, with celebrities trusting it as a place to party without sparking headlines. People have had affairs, taken drugs, and dealt with personal issues at the inn, breaking societal barriers along the way.

In 2004, fashion photographer Helmut Newton died after losing control of his car while pulling out of the Chateau’s driveway. That same year, rumors swirled that actors Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson had hooked up in a hotel elevator after the Oscars. More recently, stars have been kicked out of the Chateau for bad behavior.

After winning at the Screen Actors Guild awards in 2006, Heath Ledger was surreptitiously filmed using cocaine on the hotel’s front balcony. The actor died of an overdose two years later.

Britney Spears was reportedly banned in 2007 for boorish table manners, while Lindsay Lohan was kicked out in 2012 after not paying her $46,000 tab. In 2019, Jay-Z and Beyoncé threw an Oscars bash in the Chateau’s garage, which was redecorated to resemble a luxe lounge. Revelers such as Jamie Foxx, Rihanna, and Leonardo DiCaprio feasted on caviar and swigged Ace of Spades champagne.

The hotel has been immortalized in numerous songs, including Lana Del Rey’s “Off to the Races,” films like “La La Land,” and books such as “The Big Nowhere” by James Ellroy. Built in 1929, the Chateau was modeled on an actual castle in France’s Loire Valley, the Chateau D’Amboise, a former home of Mary, Queen of Scots.

It was originally an apartment building but, by the 1950s, had evolved into a hotel that functioned as what Levy called “an open city. It was Casablanca.” The Post has asked the Chateau for comment on Saturday’s incident.