Downtown LA Proper Hotel
Where Timeless Elegance Meets Modern Luxury
A Storied Past, A Design-Forward Present
Few hotels embody Los Angeles’ layered history as vividly as the Downtown LA Proper. Originally a 1920s private club, later a 1960s YWCA, the building has been reimagined by Kelly Wearstler into a showcase of bold design and modern luxury. Vintage details are preserved and reframed, while local art, custom furnishings, and daring textures create an atmosphere that is unmistakably LA—heritage-rich, eclectic, and endlessly stylish.
Dining by LA Icons
Food here is more than an amenity—it’s an anchor. Two signature restaurants, conceived with James Beard Award-winning chefs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, offer layered culinary experiences that reflect the city’s diverse gastronomic identity. From Lucques to a.o.c. and beyond, the Proper’s dining is rooted in LA’s most celebrated flavors and traditions.
Spaces That Invite Pause
The property balances grandeur with intimacy. An elegant library-lounge provides quiet refuge, while the rooftop pool and lounge-bar-restaurant frame Downtown’s skyline with cinematic flair. Every space is designed for both spectacle and serenity—a reflection of LA’s dual personality as both metropolis and creative retreat.
The Legendary Pool Suite
The hotel’s crown jewel is the indoor Pool Suite, a surreal reinvention of the YWCA’s original swimming pool. Measuring 35 x 12 feet, the basin has been transformed into an architectural centerpiece with Portugal-inspired marble, Ben Medansky ceramic tile murals, and curated vintage furniture. The open-plan suite flows between living, dining, and bedroom areas, offering guests a private stage for one of LA’s most unique hotel experiences.
Wearstler’s Signature Touch
Every corner bears the imprint of Kelly Wearstler’s fearless aesthetic—pattern layered on pattern, textures in bold dialogue, vintage colliding with custom. It’s a hotel that dares to experiment, while still grounding itself in Los Angeles’ cultural and architectural DNA.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Downtown LA Proper Hotel is more than a stay—it’s a design landmark. By weaving history, gastronomy, art, and architecture into one narrative, it redefines Downtown LA luxury. For travelers drawn to heritage reimagined through bold creativity, it offers an experience as layered and cinematic as the city itself.
