CHICAGO, IL – March 3, 2022 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced the debut of Kissel Uptown Oakland in the center of the city’s vibrant and eclectic arts and entertainment district, joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. The 168-room, seven-story hotel seamlessly blends historical references and art deco elements with contemporary design and introduces three new food and beverage experiences for guests and locals to enjoy. The dynamic property, which also includes 74 residences, is owned by Signature Development Group and Jordan Real Estate Investments and managed by Evolution Hospitality.
Sharing its namesake with the original showroom, Pacific Kissel Kar-Dean Lippi Showroom, that once called 2401-11 Broadway home, Kissel is a tribute to the car manufacturing industry and the blue-collar spirit that helped make Oakland a thriving metropolitan hub. Today, that spirit lives on with Kissel standing as a modern showcase for everything that makes Oakland so unique.
“Kissel Uptown Oakland captures the spirit and history of the city’s past while celebrating the thriving Oakland of today,” says John “JR” Reynolds, general manager of Kissel Uptown Oakland. “We are excited to bring a story-worthy hotel to the market where our guests can explore and enjoy all that our local community has to offer, and, at the same time, provide a new enticing destination for locals.”
DESIGN
BAR Architects’ design of this unique property seamlessly integrates the historic 1910s Beaux Arts façade originally created by celebrated Bay Area architect Frederick H. Meyer. Conceived to embrace the neighborhood’s history and spirit, the architecture features a contemporary marquee, locally commissioned artwork, elevated decor and soaring windows that offer plentiful natural light. The entry lobby interior emphasizes vertical space, incorporating elements of the art deco architecture characteristic of the neighborhood, while the exterior features architectural glass fins with digitally printed artwork commissioned from local artist Kelly Ording that stretch 70’ above the entrance. An expansive lobby bar and cafe activates the space throughout the day and evening.
The interiors, overseen by Parisa O’Connell Interior Design, also take inspiration from Oakland’s past, incorporating art deco elements and blending them with the industrial character of the former auto row. A compelling color palette composed of aubergine, natural greens, and blush tones, paired with natural materials used throughout, creates a warm, textured and inviting atmosphere. The hotel’s wallpapers, fabrics and decorative accents feature nostalgic prints that create a vintage feel with a modern edge.
Inviting guestrooms and suites feature glass globe chandelier lighting, hardwood-style floors softened with custom, patterned area rugs, and animated wallpapers juxtaposed with colorful industrial tiles.
FOOD & DRINKS
The hotel introduces three distinct dining destinations, each delivering an array of options paired with unscripted and pleasantly unexpected service that is synonymous with The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand.
High 5ive rooftop bar & lounge is named for the exuberant act of giving someone a “high five,” a celebration inspired by Oakland A’s baseball player Glenn Burke. This lively rooftop bar boasts an outdoor terrace with panoramic views, lounge seating with fire pits and its own street entrance independent from the hotel. A wide selection of classic beverage options are available, including local craft beer, wine and signature cocktails paired with approachable American food. Guests can choose from a variety of unique cocktail variations such as Bulleit rye whiskey, cherry, vermouth, orange, and smoke and another, with Rhum JM white rum, carpano bianco, vermouth, peach, and hibiscus. Savory small plates that are easy to share and enjoy in a convivial lounge setting include flatbreads, salads, carnitas street tacos and peri peri chicken skewers.
Otto’s, whose name is a play on the word “auto,” is a large, all-day cafe and bar located in the hotel’s lobby. The cafe features a modern American menu with strong California influences including signature house-made donuts. Morning offerings range from croissant French toast sticks to a breakfast grain bowl, while afternoon and evening offerings include tuna poke, gourmet hot dogs and mushroom eggplant Bolognese.
Occitania, a French-inspired restaurant from highly-acclaimed local chef Paul Canales and director of operations Rafe Gabel, is set to open later in the spring for lunch and dinner. The restaurant will draw influence from the Occitan linguistic region of Southern France, spanning from Italy’s Piemonte region all the way to Spanish Catalonia. The menu will blend traditional technique with a modern approach, adapting ancient recipes to showcase sustainable ingredients from local farmers, ranchers, and fisherman, incorporating between iconic dishes and bursts of improvisation.
MEETING & EVENTS
Kissel Uptown Oakland boasts over 10,000 square feet of dynamic meeting and event space including a mezzanine overlooking the hotel’s lobby and panoramic rooftop bar and lounge. Venues include the Gold Bug, a large ballroom featuring 10-footceilings named after the most famous Kissel car, The Showroom, which offers beautiful historic arched floor-to-ceiling windows, and High 5ive, the rooftop bar and lounge with a terrace overlooking the heart of Uptown Oakland. Kissel Uptown Oakland’s meeting spaces offer the utmost flexibility, many of which can be configured into smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings.
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand includes 26 unique hotels around the world with the addition of Kissel Uptown Oakland. Whether it’s a captivating past, an exclusive location, famous architecture and design, or an award-winning dining experience, each property within The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand maintains a distinct character and the freedom to be unique, while providing guests with the World of Hyatt loyalty program and a trusted brand name and reputation.
For more information about Kissel Uptown Oakland, please visit kisseluptownoakland.com or call (510) 216-1500.
