LOS ANGELES (October 4, 2016) – Downtown Los Angeles’ Hotel Figueroa will enter into an exciting new era this December when the historic hotel unveils a comprehensive redesign and restoration of its original 1920s Spanish Colonial splendor. The gateway to DTLA’s art, culture, dining and nightlife scene, Hotel Figueroa will be an oasis amid a captivating metropolis, seamlessly marrying its rich past to its present glory. The hotel will be reimagined to exceed expectations of a new generation with memorable accommodations and guest services, which will include 268 updated contemporary guest rooms and suites; a premiere suite with hidden door access to a private party room; two destination restaurants created by highly acclaimed Executive Chef Casey Lane and four bars conceived by craft cocktail mastermind Dushan Zaric; expansive and intimate private event venues; and an extensively refurbished pool area. At the nucleus of DTLA’s development boom, Hotel Figueroa will blend both old and new, creating a space that is 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.
“Hotel Figueroa will bridge the character of Downtown Los Angeles with the experiences that travelers seek when visiting great destinations all over the world – outstanding service and amenities with a rich understanding of the local neighborhood,” said Clay Andrews, general manager of Hotel Figueroa. “We look forward to sharing the spirit of Downtown Los Angeles with guests and locals alike, as they create their own indelible memories and experiences at Hotel Figueroa.”
History Hotel Figueroa opened in 1926 as a women's hostelry by the YWCA. According to a Los Angeles Times article, the hotel was "financed, built and operated by and for femininity" and served as a safe haven for women travelers. Over the years, the hotel served as a special place for women, hosting special female art exhibitions in the lobby, weekend musical events and lectures. Hotel Figueroa welcomed prominent male and female international leaders and thinkers at the hotel and kept its socially conscious and political image into the 1950s.
In 1978, Uno Thimansson took over operations of the hotel for next 36 years. During that time, he transformed the entire property into an exotic Moroccan-themed oasis. Under his watch, Hotel Figueroa served as an affordable, boutique hotel for tourists and a unique hangout for locals. The hotel’s independent spirit made it a go-to venue for film and television sets, legendary Hollywood parties and private, spontaneous concerts by world-renowned musical groups touring through Los Angeles.
In 2014, Hotel Figueroa was purchased by GreenOak Real Estate and Urban Lifestyle Hotel Group (Bradley Hall of Capital Hall Partners and brothers, Jack and Mark van Hartesvelt). In November 2015, ownership tapped Santa Monica-based design agency Studio Collective and together embarked on Hotel Figueroa’s redesign and renaissance.
Accommodations Hotel Figueroa will house 268 guestrooms and suites designed to evoke the feeling of being a favored guest in a modernized historic hotel. Owing to the original floorplan of the building, the hotel will offer several different room types, each with its own unique charm and personality. The rooms are fitted with a combination of custom designed furnishings and hand-sourced goods, infusing the rooms with a contemporary atmosphere. A palate of wide plank hard wood floors, plaster walls, bespoke wallpaper, a mix of blackened steel and brushed brass bathroom fittings and custom decorative tile reinforces the hotel’s Spanish design origins. Hotel Figueroa’s 62 suites will offer guests a wide array of upgraded comforts and accommodations complimented by artwork from local LA artists. Co-owner Bradley Hall worked closely with art advisor Tiffiny Lendrum sourcing locally-based artists to provide mindfully curated artwork to enhance the guest experience. Artwork from a variety of both well established and up-and-coming Los Angeles-based female artists will adorn the hotel’s walls, including commissions by Alison Van Pelt and Sarah Awad, a nod to its female founders and current place in DTLA’s thriving art scene.
Dining Central to the Hotel Figueroa’s reincarnation will be the extensive public spaces that flow from the entrance on Figueroa Street through to the outdoor pool and bar. The vision for these communal spaces has been heavily influenced by the hotel’s Spanish Colonial architecture and the evolving lifestyle and culture of DTLA. New York City-based restaurant company APICII has partnered with four-time James Beard Award nominated Chef Casey Lane, Executive Chef and Owner of the Tasting Kitchen in Venice Beach, Calif., and recognized industry leader and pioneer in craft bartending Dushan Zaric, the mastermind behind world-famous New York bars Employees Only and Macao Trading Co., on all culinary and beverage concepts for the hotel.
Chef Lane will be at the helm of two restaurants at the hotel, Breva, a dining room that draws its menu inspiration from Northern Spain and Southern France, and Veranda, an al fresco, casual dining venue offering farm-to-table fare with an emphasis on wood-roasted meats and vegetables and also pizzas. Zaric will lead the cocktail program at the hotel’s four bars: Bar Figueroa, the energetic center of Hotel Figueroa; Bar Alta, an exclusive bartender’s table offering the highest level of mixology craftsmanship and personalized service; Terraza, a deck overlooking the pool that’s ideal for private functions; and Rick’s, a Latin-themed pool bar serving sports, music and nightlife fans.
Chef Lane and Zaric travelled extensively through Basque Country to find inspiration and create restaurants, bars and nightlife experiences that will be central to the heart and soul of Hotel Figueroa as a vibrant meeting place in DTLA.
Amenities and Services Guests may take advantage of the numerous services and amenities that will be available at the hotel, including a 10,000 square foot desert-like oasis for guests surrounding the courtyard and DTLA’s only ground level pool; a sleep program based on science and designed to offer the best sleep guests can achieve away from home; pet-friendly programming with beds, bowls, treats, dog-walking service and pet spa partnerships; in-room and poolside spa service; fitness trainers; weekend yoga classes; house car for complimentary transportation within DTLA, based upon availability, two Tesla Charging Stations and one universal connection for EV's on property; and in-room guest request technology with iPads. Hotel Figueroa also will offer engaging guest experiences, a private art collection and creative programming including an Artist in Residence program.
For more information, visit www.hotelfigueroa.com or email info@hotelfigueroa.com.
