CANOE SOURCES ONE OF A KIND FF&E AND OS&E FOR DOWNTOWN LA PROPER HOTEL

 

The recently opened Downtown Los Angeles Proper Hotel pays homage to the neighborhood’s eclectic mix of cultures by adding styles that include Mexican modernism, Spanish mission, and Portuguese and Moroccan themes. Working with Kelly Wearstler’s team, Canoe provided hospitality FF&E and OS&E procurement services for this vibrant new hotel in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

 
“When it comes to redesigning a historic building, there is no shortage of challenges, but these challenges offer us unique opportunities to think outside the box.”
— Kelly Wearstler

CANOE’s fourth proper engagement with kelly wearstler and proper HOSPITALITY

After successful collaborations on Proper Hotel outposts in Austin, San Francisco, and Santa Monica, Proper Hospitality and Kelly Wearstler enlisted Canoe’s FF&E and OS&E procurement services for the brand's newest addition, Downtown LA Proper Hotel which is located in a landmark Renaissance Revival building that dates back to the 1920s and was formerly a high-end club that counted Hollywood legend Cecil B. DeMille among its membership before it was turned into a YWCA in the 1960s.  To anchor the 147-room property on Downtown’s historic Broadway Street, the building’s interiors were designed to draw inspiration from the architecture of Spanish missions located throughout the state of California as well as the historic Los Angeles Herald Examiner building located directly across the street.

Kelly Wearstler and Omgivning Architecture made it a priority to maintain the history of the building's original architects, Curlett & Beelman, who created the structure in the 1920s. While the historic window casings and brickwork have been preserved so that the building's integrity may be preserved, the interiors have been designed by Wearstler to be resplendent in jewel tones and plasterwork to provide a contemporary touch. Its previous life as a YWCA gave the building a number of one-of-a-kind rooms and areas, such as bank vaults that had been converted into walk-in closets, repurposed antique phone booths, and a basketball suite that had been built from the building's former indoor basketball court.

Kelly Wearstler fully understands the importance of creating a good first impression. The designer's approach for this Proper outpost, which has been named as one of the best new hotels in the world by Architectural Digest, was motivated by legacy, detail, and location, which is consistent with the designer's reputation for having a diverse design style that combines modernism with old-school grandeur. After over 98 years of exposure to the Los Angeles sunshine, the intricate archway entry of a corner structure designed in the California Renaissance Revival style is still standing strong. As soon as you step over the threshold, it will be difficult to prevent your eyes from continuing upwards to take in the jaw-dropping Mexican folktale fauna and flora hand-painted mural that spans the arched vaulted ceiling.

Each of the guest rooms have its own one-of-a-kind layout, and they all have a delightful, residential atmosphere.

Wearstler took inspiration for the interior design of the hotel from Downtown Los Angeles, and she skillfully incorporated local design aspects in order to guarantee that the hotel has a clear feeling of its own identity. The hotel’s FF&E is comprised of prized items that are suitable for display in a private residence. These include worn-in chairs and tables purchased from France or a stone mosaic coffee table placed atop a vintage Turkish or Moroccan rug. When you add to the mix woven patterned couches, custom-made beds, and out-of-the-box lighting features, you have the makings of a retreat that will welcome you with open arms after a day out and about in Los Angeles.

Guests will begin to encounter personalized details as soon as they arrive at the hotel, which was named as one of Travel + Leisure’s 100 best new hotels in the world, beginning with pink frescoed ceilings and walls, a dramatic reception desk covered in black porcelain, and contrasting textiles, patterns, and FF&E that attract and thrill. Canoe Hospitality collaborated with Wearstler and her team to locate and purchase FF&E to fill each interior space with custom artwork and furnishings to ensure that each interior space has its own distinctive design moment.

Due to the nature of the building’s use as a commercial space, each of the guest rooms have its own one-of-a-kind layout, and they all have a delightful, residential atmosphere. The FF&E curation played a significant part in the accomplishment of this effect as it features a combination of vintage designs sourced from around the world, such as wooden chairs and lamps from France and hand-carved chairs from Mexico, and contemporary, custom FF&E designs, such as the bespoke beds upholstered in woven textiles or stone mosaic coffee tables from local craftsmen based in Los Angeles.

The building's original indoor basketball court, which dates back to its days as a YMCA, has been preserved, albeit with some minor alterations. The original indoor pool, which measures 35 feet in length, has also been preserved. “We adjusted the depth of the pool, in what is now the Pool Suite,” said Wearstler. “The Court Suite, which holds the basketball court, has also been stylized with color blocks of charcoal, ecru, moss, and smoky blue on the walls.”

As is a staple of the brand and its other hotels, Proper Hospitality teamed with local chefs to provide guests with dining experiences that are firmly rooted in the city. James Beard Award-winning local restaurateurs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne were commissioned to develop three concepts for Downtown LA Proper. The signature, ground-floor restaurant Caldo Verde includes Portuguese inspirations, while the rooftop lounge Cara Cara will highlight Mexican tastes and wood-fired meals with unobstructed views of Downtown LA’s skyline, and the cocktail bar Dalia will provide a quiet escape from Downtown’s hustle and bustle.

 

We are honored to be a trusted partner to Proper Hotels and Kelly Wearstler. How can our expert approach assist with your projects?

 
 
Shawn Fowler