Slideshow

Slide Show: Ace Hotel, Downtown LA

February 7, 2014

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

The Ace makes its home in the United Artists building, a decadent terracotta structure built in 1927 for silent-film star Mary Pickford's studio.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Previous to the Ace, the building was inhabited for 20 years by the Los Angeles University Cathedral.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Adjacent to the hotel stands the United Artists Theatre, a 1,600-seat space that was refurbished to host concerts, screenings, performances, and seminars.

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

In the the theatre's ornately decorated, Spanish Gothic style space, the team restored murals and intricate plasterwork, reupholstered the seats, and installed new carpet.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Atelier Ace worked with Los Angeles–based collective Commune Design to restore the building, layering design elements on top of its stripped-down, minimalist core. A light-flooded lobby welcomes visitors, with walls covered in raw sheep's wool.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

A colorful collection of unreachable tomes hovers above the lobby.

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Guest rooms feature the buildings original concrete ceilings, with custom furniture and Noguchi lamps warming up the spaces.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

That's not just staging—some rooms come with a Martin guitar included.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Efficiency of space was a guiding principle in the design process, as many rooms are modestly sized.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Certain suites come with Ace x Rega RP1 turntables and a small collection of records.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Generous windows offer rare perspectives of downtown LA.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Another perk of select suites: well-stocked wet bars

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

The ground-floor restaurant, LA Chapter, serves locally sourced provisions in a light-filled, bistro-style space run by the folks behind Brooklyn's popular Five Leaves.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

A mezzanine above the LA Chapter dining room provides a bit of privacy

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

The restaurant's coffee shop serves Stumptown coffee and fresh pastries

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

The Upstairs bar, located on the rooftop level, serves draft cocktails and Mediterranean plates in a space inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House.

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

The bar contains a steel-chain light installation by costume designer Michael Schmidt, patterned canopies by local artist Alia Penner, and cedar furniture by sculptor Alma Allen.

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

A rooftop soaking pool (which appeared to be rarely used) was modeled after artist Donald Judd's pool in Marfa.

Photography by Rachel Ritchie

Ace Hotel Downtown LA

A snapshot of the building's layered history, captured at nightfall.

Photography by Courtesy Atelier Ace/Spencer Lowell

In early January, the newest property in Ace Hotels' ever-expanding constellation of locations opened in downtown Los Angeles. The stunningly designed Ace makes its home in the historic United Artists building, built in 1927 for Mary Pickford's maverick film studio. We take a look inside the restoration, the impressive result of a collaboration between Atelier Ace and Commune Design.

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