Built in 1984 as La Vela Beach Club and Concert Hall, the venue was designed by Walton Chancey and Timothy Packard Architects. It was originally owned by Alois Pfeffer and George Christo and after the initial season in the fall of 1984, Mr. Pfeffer became the sole owner in early 1985 and began the expansion that would eventually make LaVela Beach Club and Concert Hall, Club LaVela and the "World's Largest Nightclub". From the sinking of the original support pilings in the summer of 1984, LaVela (as it was first known) was constructed in 54 days culminating in a Grand Opening on Labor Day 1984, and an opening evening concert by John Prine. The building was Mr. Chancey's thesis from the School of Architecture at Auburn University.