A peek preview of the Lotus

The two white canopy tents in Hollywood shoot up to the sky, creating a new landmark that can be seen from blocks away on Hollywood Boulevard, Cahuenga Boulevard and even the Hollywood Freeway.

Beneath the spectacular awnings is White Lotus, the Euro-Asian supper club designed and owned by Sunset Room trio Chris Breed, Alan Hajjar and Eric James. A 12,000-square-foot restaurant and dance club designed with feng shui calming harmony, White Lotus will open in mid-January. But the partners gave in to the positive karma of their large Buddha statue and let Step Up Women’s Network -- an L.A.-based nonprofit organization that promotes philanthropy among women -- throw its huge holiday party and benefit there Friday. We joined them for a sneak peek.

Nearly 1,000 donors, including Laura Elena Harring, Erik Palladino, James Van Der Beek and Michelle Rodriguez, partied at the elegant and cavernous space formerly known as the Crush Bar. Breed, Hajjar and James were warm but weary, having worked around the clock with construction crews to make the party’s deadline.

“We gave it our best shot,” James said. “I’m very tired but happy we did it.”

Breed, who designed the Sunset Room and Pig ‘n Whistle, studied Asian cultures to create the look. Eight soldier statues guard the entrance, where a hostess will greet guests. Throughout are antique design elements, like 200-year-old Chinese panels and two Korean teapots from the 5th century.

Diners will be able to choose from a dim sum or full menu as they share a canopy tent with the stunning Buddha in his white lotus pond. Or they can go inside to a sushi bar.

A spacious dance floor is surrounded by a VIP room and three smaller private lounges. The main bar is purple and lighted by Asian-style lanterns; smokers have a sky-lit patio.

And the name? “The white lotus comes from the bottom of the river and comes up to be the purest of flowers,” said Breed. After Crush Bar’s time in this space, Breed added, “it really needed something to purify it.”