Downtown L.A. Proper is a new boutique hotel located in Los Angeles, California, designed by Kelly Wearstler. The property features 148 guest rooms in the heart of Downtown’s South Park District adjacent to the Fashion District. The building was originally constructed by Los Angeles architects Curlett & Beelman in the 1920s as a private members club.
Wearstler reimagined the space by combining the building’s storied history with a modern palette that would merge elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican, and Moroccan design. Over 100 different kinds of hand-painted and custom tiles were employed by Wearstler, as well as site-specific murals and installations by local artists.
Specially designed furnishings with charcoal and mauve tones bring a deeply residential feel to the rooms and suites. A highlighted accommodation is the 2,500-square-foot Proper Pool suite featuring a full-sized indoor swimming pool accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky.
As described by Wearstler: “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.”