A dusty corner of the historic Elks Tower containing a pool hidden for decades will soon get a second life when a Euro-style cafe, bar and chocolatier open next year. The Ayers family has begun renovating a bi-level corner of the 1926 building designed by architect Leonard J. Starks to incorporate a pool where club members swam for 50 years. The pool hasn't been used since about the early 1980s. Building owner Steve Ayers, his daughter Katharine (Ayers) Gelber and her husband, Michael Gelber... Suzanne Mike Tentis comment-52711 2011-06-28T18:51:45Z 2011-06-28T18:51:45Z Valentis was primarily a GLBT gym owned by two women. I recall that one of them was named Liz. I belonged there for a couple of years. Joined in late 1988 or early 1989 and the pool was definitely being used at that time. Swam there many times.... Mike Tentis 2011-06-28T18:51:45Z stillfresh comment-52453 2011-06-22T16:51:09Z 2011-06-22T16:51:09Z $200,000? You sure there's not a comma and another 0 missing from this magical price for renovation? stillfresh 2011-06-22T16:51:09Z Randi Kay Stephens comment-52427 2011-06-21T19:06:03Z 2011-06-21T19:06:03Z Looking forward to the chocolate place... what an excellent combination of delicious items! Randi Kay Stephens 2011-06-21T19:06:03Z Dar comment-52396 2011-06-21T16:32:28Z 2011-06-21T16:32:28Z Check out Belgian chocolate companies. Just returned from Brussels and was amazed how many of them there were. Right now America is seen in a good light and they think California is the place to be. I think they are right. Also their chocolates are wonderful, artful and different than ours. Dar 2011-06-21T16:32:28Z Melissa Corker comment-52263 2011-06-16T03:07:27Z 2011-06-16T03:07:27Z Did I read that correctly? Food...wine...chocolate... all under one roof? *gasp* I think I may pass out! Quick! Get me to the Elks Tower! (Great story, Suzanne!) Melissa Corker 2011-06-16T03:07:27Z Suzanne Hurt comment-52261 2011-06-16T00:01:37Z 2011-06-16T00:01:37Z An architect tied to the renovation believed no one had gone swimming in the pool since the early 1980s. Can anyone tell us more about Valentis Gym? Who owned it and how long was it there? Suzanne Hurt 2011-06-16T00:01:37Z MidtownSquinter comment-52251 2011-06-15T19:08:59Z 2011-06-15T19:08:59Z Ah, yes! Valenti's had quite a reputation... Anybody recall the era when chunks of ceiling paint floated in the pool? MidtownSquinter 2011-06-15T19:08:59Z RichardRich comment-52249 2011-06-15T18:15:36Z 2011-06-15T18:15:36Z Can't wait for the penthouse experience. Right on my way home too... RichardRich 2011-06-15T18:15:36Z TinaReynolds comment-52248 2011-06-15T17:51:35Z 2011-06-15T17:51:35Z Historic background - the pool was used through the mid 90s when Valentis Gym was housed in the bottom floors. TinaReynolds 2011-06-15T17:51:35Z Ben Ilfeld comment-52242 2011-06-15T16:49:22Z 2011-06-15T16:49:22Z Agreed. Looking forward to holding an event there! Ben Ilfeld 2011-06-15T16:49:22Z cogmeyer comment-52241 2011-06-15T16:23:53Z 2011-06-15T16:23:53Z I think the bigger story here is that the 14th floor private penthouse lounge is open in just 2 wks. Please share photos, booking info etc when available! cogmeyer 2011-06-15T16:23:53Z MDG comment-52240 2011-06-15T14:50:52Z 2011-06-15T14:50:52Z The flat screen is not for watching television or sports...it is for board meetings and conferences that need a big screen to utilize off their laptop, and to access the music stations included with our cable service. We agree with you, and should have probably clarified why it was put there:) MDG 2011-06-15T14:50:52Z iadam comment-52188 2011-06-15T08:12:07Z 2011-06-15T08:12:07Z Why would you need to provide the ever so present "Sacramento restaurant flat screen" in a room which will have panoramic views of the city and nearby Sierra Nevada mountains? Or a room which overlooks looks such a dramatic and unique sight as nearly a century old oasis in the basement of such a sacramento landmark? We've had a nice 8 year run with the flat screen in the dining room. I think it’s now time for restaurant & bar owners/chefs to stop distracting us, and start impressing us with their food, ambience and service. I digress..... iadam 2011-06-15T08:12:07Z