Philippe Starck lends his signature style to a new luxury hotel's courtesy vans.
Passengers seeking an escape from the daily grind or looking for new ways to multitask may have just found a replacement for the BlackBerry. With a complete home entertainment system, finely crafted furnishings, and a slew of digital delights at their disposal, Becker JetVan customers can leave their palm-size companions - along with their boarding passes at home.
"Our customers seem to [be able to] afford everything except time," says company president Howard Becker. "The JetVan puts time back into their lives." Becker is pulling out all the stops, so that JetVan passengers won't have to make any along the way. The company produces custom vans for those seeking the ultimate in luxury transport with an eye toward discretion. It's the JetVan's private, calming ambience and host of amenities that, according to Becker, have customers repeatedly saying, "This isn't a van - it's a Mercedes-Benz."
The understated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, with its advanced safety features and low-emission turbo diesel technologies, provides the foundation for Becker conversions—which generally take four to six months. Employing cues from the airport runway, Becker installs recessed LED lighting in the ceiling, touch screens, and a fresh air circulation system to maximize comfort. Lightweight materials lower the vehicle's center of gravity, making for an improved ride.
With motion sickness no longer a concern, passengers can relax in plush leather seats, while enjoying a movie, surfing the Web, or watching satellite TV. Because everything, from the sliding doors to the LCD screens, is electronically operated, seatbelts never have to be unfastened—unless a trip to the optional vacuum-pump-operated toilet becomes necessary. Moreover, seating for up to eight adults and five interior configuration options makes business meetings a possibility anywhere.
Although the bulk of Becker's work involves conversions for private and corporate clients, he has also partnered with the newly opened SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills to provide guests with an elegant extension of their hotel experience. Working with designer Philippe Starck, Becker has produced two $300,000 JetVans that reflect the simple sophistication of SLS. Off-white European leather stands out against piano black wood treatments and dark wool carpeting, creating a bold design statement.
"This is the next horizon for [us]. We can customize the van's design to mesh with any resort's theme," says Becker. "I can't wait for the venetian to call." Until then, Becker will explore this newfound niche and continue catering to customers who want to travel in style, while under the radar.
