HOTEL FIGUEROA.

Los Angeles based interior design firm [Studio Collective] was entrusted to design the entire look and feel of the newly rehabilitated Hotel Figueroa located in downtown Los Angeles. First created as a YWCA in 1926, [Studio Collective] stripped away several layers of prior renovations in order to reveal the hotel’s true Spanish roots. Creating the narrative of reinvigorating a grand Spanish estate which had fallen by the wayside over the years, the design team chose to highlight authentic architectural details while at the same time injecting contemporary decor with upgraded amenities to meet the needs of today’s hotel guest. Known for their ability to blend contemporary furnishings and artwork with historical surroundings, [Studio Collective] is also responsible for the designs of some of Southern California’s most prominent hotels and hot spots including The Goodland Hotel, The Bungalow, and The Spare Room.

In their approach to the design of the hotel, [Studio Collective] determined that wherever it was possible to accentuate existing architectural elements, they would, however the design of any new elements would take on a more contemporary aesthetic and not try to replicate a historical look. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lobby, where a custom, curvilinear bar with a two story, brass and wood back bar shelving unit anchors the otherwise more traditional Spanish looking room. The lobby bar services both the lobby as well as the adjacent restaurant, offering guests an espresso and pastry in the morning and will continue to operate throughout the day providing the perfect nightcap before heading to bed. The oversized, double height lobby is the heart of the hotel and acts as a living room both to the hotels’ guests as well as extending out to the downtown community. Whether nestled up in a cozy love seat or sharing small bites at a large communal table, eclectic seating groupings offer patrons a range of options from which to choose. An original skylight was restored which, along with the renovated façade, help to bring natural light into the space, truly making it the ideal gathering spot regardless of time of day. Finally, contemporary artwork from a variety of both well established and up and coming Los Angeles based artists adorn the walls, assisting to further ingrain the hotel into the downtown art scene.

For those guests who wish to stay at Hotel Figueroa, guest rooms and suites are designed to evoke the feeling of staying in a wonderful apartment, taking on a truly residential feel. Due to the original floorplan of the building, the hotel offers several different room types, each with its own unique quirks and characteristics. A palate of wide plank hard wood floors, plaster walls, a mix of blackened steel and brushed brass bathroom fittings and custom decorative tile reinforces the hotel’s Spanish design origins. The rooms are fitted with a combination of bespoke [Studio Collective] designed furnishings and hand sourced goods giving the rooms a more contemporary spin. As with the public spaces, the design team worked closely with LA based artists to provide one of a kind artwork to enhance the guest experience.

Inspired by the rich architectural history of Hotel Figueroa as well as what is going on present day in the Los Angeles art world, [Studio Collective] has strived to create a design that is not “either/or” but rather “both/and”. A blending of both old and new, a space that is both respectful of where it came from and yet undoubtedly contemporary, a property that is both inspired by its own history and inspiring to those who walk its halls. The result of this approach is an inclusive, relevant, truly unique hotel. We hope you enjoy experiencing Hotel Figueroa as much as have enjoyed designing it.