Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel sits on the corner of Broadway and 11th Street in Alexander Curlett and Claud Beetleman’s Renaissance Revival building, in what was a swanky private members club for the leisure class of the roaring twenties, hotshot movie producers including Cecil B. DeMille, and the wealthy elite living the luxury of a labour-less life, enjoying expensive toys, with expensive tastes. Other incarnations include a stint as the cosmopolitan Case Hotel of the 1940s and, in the 60s as the YWCA headquarters. It is now a hub for the city’s creative scene. Thanks to Proper Hotels.
Proper Hospitality are renowned as the design darlings of hospitality who began with the premise that every city needs a ‘proper’ place to stay, somewhere suitable for today’s creative nomads and modern globetrotters. The Proper hotels and residences offer bold explorations of luxury, with unconventional interiors by Kelly Wearstler, and in collaboration with the city’s best culinary and wellness partners. Proper offers one-of-a-kind hotels in creative hubs across the U.S. with a ‘looser luxury’, excellent service, and an immersion in local culture. Anything less, they say, ‘wouldn’t be Proper.’
The Setting
Proper sits on the fringe of the Fashion District, South Park, and the Broadway Corridor, the historic core of DTLA, part of Downtown LA’s distinct Deco architecture. The neighbourhood has seen massive investment over the last ten years, attracting the cool kids of the hotel world. First, The Hoxton and then Ace. The surrounding neighbourhoods’ movie-worthy makeover is a showcase for design-driven destinations including L.A. Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, Hauser & Wirth, The Music Center, art museums, and cultural and sports venues, including Crypto Arena (formerly the Staples Center), with diverse shopping, dining and nightlife choices.
The Hotel Design
The DTLA Proper is a design-driven reimagining and update of the historic Broadway Corridor landmark designed by the fabulously creative mind of Wearstler, known for her knack of blending vintage and California modern with Mexican Modernism. For DTLA Proper, Wearstler draws on Mexican Modernism, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan aesthetics in her reimagining of the interiors, with vintage and custom pieces, taking cues from Downtown L.A., of which she says, ‘Our city is truly experiencing a cultural renaissance. Downtown L.A. is rich in historical architecture, and has been one of the first to enjoy this resurgence. My job was to bring this landmark into the modern age while preserving its rich history, adding contemporary design elements balanced with vintage pieces alluding to the building’s roots and early 20th-century Los Angeles’.
Wearstler has painstakingly sourced vintage furnishings, over 100 handmade tiles, bespoke statement pieces, and collaborations with artists who encapsulate the DTLA vibe. ‘Working with artists makes my projects shine, and I love to use my platform to spotlight others.’
The intimate lobby is stunning; small in size but not in style. The intricately domed ceiling nods to California’s affinity for Spanish and Moroccan design during the 1920s. The walls and ceiling are pained in a vibrant, eye-grabbing mural of birds and jungle creatures by Los Angeles-based painter, illustrator, and designer Abel Macias, who took inspiration from the Mexican folk art textiles of his childhood upbringing. The fabulous reception desk is handmade in a black, richly textured clay by L.A. ceramicist Morgan Peck in her signature freehand architectural style, with Memphis Group, Bauhaus, and Art Deco influences. A beautifully crafted stained-glass doorway leads to the ground floor restaurant and bar by Judson Studios, a fifth-generation family-run stained-glass studio, flanked by old desert cacti.
Dining
The hotel has two destination restaurants with James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and sommelier Caroline Styne at the helm. Caldo Verde on the ground floor is a plant-filled, vegetable-driven homage to Spanish, Corsican and Portuguese cuisine. Cara Cara on the split-level rooftop highlights Southern California cuisine. On the ground floor, the intimate Dalia speakeasy lounge also captures the drama of L.A.’s past and present.
Rooms and Suites
The 148 rooms and suites are all subtly different and layered with local artisan natural-hued hand-woven patterns and textures, hand-raked-plaster walls, and original works by local artists. Bathrooms have flattering soft-glow bathroom lighting, indulgent showers, and Aesop’s products. Most rooms have great views but head to the roof for something special—head to the rooftop.
There are two one-of-a-kind suites. ‘Especially Proper’ is fashioned from the buildings original basketball court.
The Proper Pool Suite is a real show stopper featuring the original full-sized indoor swimming pool — in distinctly DTLA style. L.A. ceramicist Ben Medanskey’s handmade, ivory-coloured tiles feature carved-out geometric shapes. Each tile is unique to avoid a repeating pattern. The tiles took inspiration from the many patterns of tyre treads, traffic signs, and cacti Medanskey has spotted on his many road trips, which he has minimised, abstracted, and put back together in a puzzle formation. The wall compliments the original flooring with its equally attention-grabbing pattern.
Wellness & Amenities
In the 1930s, a physical director of the original Commercial Club led the members through vigorous workout regimens. Today, there’s a sleek 24-hour gym with the latest techno equipment, and daily wellness classes in the light-filled Cabrillo Club or on the pool deck.
Linus bikes are available to borrow to explore the city. The hotel is pet‐friendly and a member of Design Hotels™ with sister properties in Austin, San Francisco, and Santa Monica. Further sustainability initiatives include recycling, and using eco-friendly cleaning products and local and seasonal ingredients. The Proper Giving programme pledges one per cent of the hotel’s time and property and management fees to projects that benefit the local community.
The Pool Deck and Rooftop
The roof and pool deck have breathtaking panoramic views across DTLA’s iconic skyline, with its Art Deco theatres, neon-flecked skyscrapers, and many of its notable buildings. With just the right amount of greenery, intimate corners, and a fabulous fire-pit, the roof deck is the ultimate place to socialise or quietly people watch and absorb the views. Though gorgeous, the intimate pool with loungers is more for posing than swimming. If you want to swim laps, you need to book the Proper Pool Suite with the original swimming pool. The rooftop is a lush retreat from the bustling downtown below and is perfect for sundowners—it’s actually quite perfect for any time of the day or night!
Why Book
The Proper celebrates a laid-back luxury — so welcome in a bustling city. It feels ‘properly’ at home in the ornate red brick Renaissance Revival building with its eclectic, retro-meets-modern feel, reflecting the neighbourhood and Los Angeles itself.
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An internationally recognised interior architect and landscape designer, she has worked on numerous projects around the world. An eye for detail and love of all things art, architecture, travel and design have led to a nomadic lifestyle resulting in a greater focus on travel and lifestyle feature writing. She is a contributor for a range of international print publications. Living between Hong Kong, Cape Town, and London, traveling anywhere.
