LA Proper Hotel: A Bold Icon of L.A. Design

Los Angeles is a city shaped by contrasts, where historic architecture meets contemporary creativity. At the heart of Downtown L.A., the LA Proper Hotel transforms a 1920s landmark into a vibrant destination defined by colour, art, texture and an unmistakable sense of place.

Part of Proper Hospitality, the hotel occupies a Renaissance Revival building originally completed in 1926. Its transformation was led on the interiors by renowned designer Kelly Wearstler, whose eclectic vision brings together vintage references, contemporary forms and richly layered materials while celebrating the character of the original architecture.

A Historic Landmark Reimagined

Designed by architects Alexander Curlett and Claud Beelman, the historic building has been carefully adapted for contemporary hospitality. Rather than concealing its past, the project incorporates elements of its original architecture into the experience, including former sporting spaces transformed into distinctive guest suites. The result is a dialogue between Los Angeles heritage and modern design.

A sunlit hotel doorway framed by tropical murals and tall potted cacti, leading into a lush, plant-filled restaurant at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: **Proper Hotel**

Kelly Wearstler’s Eclectic Vision

Kelly Wearstler’s interiors give the LA Proper Hotel its unmistakable personality. Bold colours, patterned tiles, vintage furnishings, custom elements and local artwork come together in spaces that feel curated rather than conventional. Her approach moves freely between references, creating an expressive aesthetic that feels both sophisticated and distinctly Californian.

Designer Kelly Wearstler seated on a velvet sofa against a sage green wall at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: **Homes and Gardens**

A reception desk featuring intricate dark carved panels and warm wood walls inside the lobby at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: **Homes and Gardens**

Interiors Full of Colour and Character

Across the hotel’s 147 rooms and suites, custom textiles, artwork and distinctive materials continue the visual language established throughout the property. In the public spaces, rich colours and tactile surfaces create a more immersive experience, while Dahlia, the hotel’s intimate cocktail lounge, brings Mexican modernism and Moroccan influences to life through vivid tones, tilework and sculptural details.

A stylish lounge area with terracotta-tinted walls, abstract artwork, and low armchairs at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: Proper Hotel

Dining Above Downtown Los Angeles

The design narrative extends into the hotel’s restaurants and bars. Cara Cara, the rooftop destination, combines Southern California-inspired cuisine with sweeping city views, a pool and outdoor spaces, while Dahlia offers a more intimate setting shaped by Kelly Wearstler’s layered interiors. The culinary programme includes acclaimed chef Suzanne Goin.

A rooftop terrace with a tiled fire pit and seating, offering panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: Proper Hotel

A Design Destination

The LA Proper Hotel has received recognition for both its design and its approach to historic preservation, including a California Preservation Foundation Preservation Design Award and a Dezeen Award for Hotel and Short-stay Interior of the Year. These distinctions reinforce the project’s ability to balance architectural heritage with a contemporary design identity.

An indoor lap pool surrounded by checkered tile flooring, plush seating, and textured accent walls at LA Proper Hotel. — Source: Proper Hotel

Boca do Lobo: The Art of Making a Statement

The expressive spirit of the LA Proper Hotel finds a natural connection with Boca do Lobo’s approach to collectible design. Sculptural forms, artisanal finishes and a fascination with materials create pieces designed to become part of the architecture of a room, bringing the same sense of individuality and artistic character found throughout Wearstler’s interiors.

A spacious hotel suite featuring warm yellow walls, blue patterned armchairs, and a cozy king bed at LA Proper Hotel.

Get the Look:

Voltaire Sideboard

The LA Proper Hotel is ultimately more than a place to stay. It is a celebration of Los Angeles through architecture, art and design, proving how a historic space can acquire an entirely new identity without losing its soul.