Designed in 1926 by architects Curlett and Beelman, this unique Californian landmark had lived many lives before the Proper Hospitality’s intervention; first, a private members club for the elite in the 1920s, followed by a women’s housing company in the 1960s and finally a 147-room destination hotel in 2021.
Kelly Wearstler has translated this storied past into a spirited and eclectic hospitality offering, lifting design cues from Mexican modernism with layers of Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan influences. After recently visiting the brand’s Santa Monica outpost, we’re venturing south to LA’s city centre to experience the boutique hotel and uncover how the vibrant city was a muse throughout the design process.