For her latest project, Kelly Wearstler, internationally recognised founder and principal of Kelly Wearstler design studio, has channelled her signature style into shaping the interiors of the new Downtown LA Proper Hotel. Set in a reimagined California Renaissance Revival building in the heart of Downtown’s South Park District, adjacent to the Fashion District, the 148-room hotel showcases a design that blends vintage elements from the property’s historic roots with modern influences, forging a lively hub for local creatives.
“Our Proper Hospitality team is deeply inspired by the pulse of this distinct and historic pocket of Downtown LA that speaks to our hometown’s past and future,” says Brian De Lowe, co-founder and president of Proper Hospitality. “We’re excited to be part of the renaissance taking place within the Broadway Corridor with partners who share our vision of creating a vibrant and welcoming hospitality experience that reflects the surrounding culture and community.”
Downtown LA Proper Hotel by Kelly Wearstler design studio
Constructed by iconic Los Angeles architects Curlett & Beelman in the 1920s, the property was initially a private club whose members included luminaries such as Cecil B. DeMille, and was subsequently a YWCA in the 1960s. The Kor Group, the LA-based real estate developer led by Proper Hospitality, and Kelly have reimagined this storied history with a modern palette, drawing inspiration from Downtown LA to layer vestiges from the 1920s with elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican and Moroccan design.
In addition to vintage furniture and rugs, Kelly and her team haas employed more than 100 different kinds of hand-painted and custom tiles throughout the property, while site-specific murals and installations by local talents (such as stained glass by Judson Studios and ceramic works from Morgan Peck) bring further dimension to the public spaces.
“It was incredible working with the Proper Hospitality team to transform such an iconic and historic building in Downtown LA,” Kelly says. “The design of the hotel was greatly inspired by the community — early California, Spanish missions and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner building across the street. The building is also a Historic-Cultural Monument, so we maintained some of the original integrity and fabric, like the window casing and brickwork, while elevating it with contemporary jewel tones, patterns and plasterwork.”
Deeply residential in feel, each of the rooms and suites is a canvas for curated pieces and specially designed furnishings with charcoal and mauve tones lending depth and warmth. Nodding to its former life as a YWCA, stand-out features of the hotel include the sizeable Proper Basketball Court and Proper Pool suite featuring a full-sized indoor swimming pool, accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky. Signature Proper comforts and in-room amenities include Fili D’oro Fine Linens, Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes.
Celebrated chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne have joined the party to bring the culinary program to life in three distinct spaces. Lobby level restaurant and bar, Caldo Verde, is a focal point within the hotel and neighbourhood at-large, showcasing Suzanne and Caroline’s nuanced and warm approach to hospitality. Open for three meals a day, the restaurant draws inspiration from Portuguese and Spanish influences, while finding expression through the lens of Southern California.
In the weeks following the opening of the hotel, Cara Cara, the restaurant and lounge located on the rooftop, with sweeping and unobstructed city views, debuted with a menu similarly grounded in multicultural inspirations including Mexican flavours. Crafted to complement the unrivalled rooftop and poolside experience, dishes include local seafood aquachile, seasonal focaccia from the wood-fired oven and tacos. Later in the summer, Suzanne and Caroline will introduce Dalia, an intimate ground level classic cocktail lounge and bar showcasing small-batch spirits in refined presentations.
The design of the hotel was greatly inspired by the community — early California, Spanish missions and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner building across the street.
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Lay back and think of California, and the vision might just be soundtracked by a number of songs. From 2Pac’s California Love and the aptly titled California Dreaming by The Mamas & The Papas. To the 1960s Beach Boys hit California Girls and the similarly titled California Gurls by Katy Perry. The lyrics and unforgettable melodies of these songs bring the Golden State to life as North America’s Daisy Duke-wearing playground; a palm-studded paradise where sun-kissed style is backdropped by sand, surf and plenty of panache. The blissful vision is incomplete, of course, without imagining the perfect place to park for the summer. And so, welcome to the daydream Hotel June, the Proper’s more affordable yet thoroughly suave spin-off.
With multiple stateside locations, including San Francisco, Downtown Los Angeles and Austin, the Proper hotel group claims to offer a “looser kind of luxury” through its Kelly Wearstler-designed properties, part-owned by her husband Brad Korzen (who is one of three co-founders of the now cult-status brand). There’s even a Proper hotel in Santa Monica, just a 15-minute car ride from Hotel June, or a bit longer if opting for a leisurely stroll along Venice Beach towards Santa Monica Pier.
Hotel June in California by Studio Collective
Loosening up the hotelier’s luxury offering just that little bit more, the 250-room Hotel June is “a Proper for the people,” says Proper Hospitality co-founder and president Brian De Lowe. “June will cater to travellers with a passion for design, community, and food and beverage offerings – all the same things Proper guests care about, but with more accessible pricing,” he adds. For context, a sleepover at June can cost guests about A$400 less per night than a room at one of the Propers.
Located in the former Custom Hotel, in a classic Westside building designed by renowned local architect Welton Becke, June seamlessly merges the past with the present by pairing mid-century nostalgia with contemporary coastal minimalism. It’s at once airy, bright and chilled, becoming a place where clean lines and warm natural timbers meet earthy finishes, custom furnishings and Californian sunshine.
The laidback interiors of Hotel June were spearheaded by LA-based firm Studio Collective (a departure from the Proper’s go-to designer Kelly Wearstler). There are, however, to the benefit of budget conscious style-seekers, undeniable similarities between June and the more prestigious Propers. Including the spectrum of custom-made furniture, hand-glazed tiles from Brazil, sisal carpeting and Italian bed linens, not to mention the bountiful Aesop products in each of the bathrooms.
The hotel’s central location, right near LAX International Airport, places guests just minutes away from everywhere they might want to be on LA’s Westside. They’re five minutes from Playa Del Rey Beach, Playa Vista (Silicon Beach), Otis College of Art and Design and Loyola Marymount University, and little more than ten minutes from Venice, Marina Del Rey and Culver City. “Whether you’re headed to the beach, a show at The Forum or a game at the nearby SoFi NFL stadium, our location allows for ease in travelling around the city,” the hotel team insist. They add that there’s also “easy access to a range of restaurants, boutiques and parks within walking distance”.
But after a day of soaking in the rays by the pool, a relaxed night-in at the hotel is often top of mind for guests. On standby to please the people of such persuasion, Hotel June offers dining concepts helmed by Steve Livigni (ex Scopa Italian Roots restaurant) featuring irresistible menus inspired by a 500-kilometre culinary road trip, extending southbound from Santa Barbara on the central California coast to Northern Baja in Mexico.
Perhaps the most laidback dining destination is the breezy Baja-inspired Caravan Swim Club – the poolside gathering place for everything from cabana drinks to fire-side snack sessions. It’s a relaxed spot where guests can spend the day immersed in music, before moving to an elevated terrace position to enjoy the evening view towards Venice Beach. All the while with house favourites in-hand, including biodynamic wines, craft beer and small-batch tequilas.
Opening just weeks before the pandemic swept the globe, Hotel June has had plenty of time to adapt its offering to include Covid-safe protocols. “We certainly couldn’t have predicted this moment when our vision for Hotel June began,” recall the hotel team. “But the timing has allowed us to open our doors with a new space that authentically embraces adaptability, is streamlined for social distancing, and – above all – considers the wellbeing and safety of our guests.”
thehoteljune.com; studio-collective.com
Located in the former Custom Hotel, in a classic Westside building designed by renowned local architect Welton Becke, June seamlessly merges the past with the present.
Take a look inside the Santa Monica Proper by Kelly Wearstler. Catch up on more architecture, art and design highlights. Plus, subscribe to receive the Daily Architecture News e-letter direct to your inbox.