The talents behind the Westside’s newest luxury property, including interior designer Kelly Wearstler, chefs Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Cámara, and others
Words by KAREN PALMER
The list of names behind the newly opened Santa Monica Proper Hotel — the first luxury property to open in the beachside town in nearly 20 years — is bold-faced.
The 271-room hotel was outfitted by superstar interior designer Kelly Wearstler, who incorporated statement pieces by local artists in the general areas, such as sculptural ceramic pieces by Ben Medansky and Kelly Lamb, and a large-scale mixed-media work by Jonathan Ryan.
The all-day restaurant Onda is a collaboration between Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Cámara of Mexico City’s Contramar. “I saw this space and vision of what it could be, working with Gabriela,” Koslow says. “We’re seven blocks from the beach and four blocks from the farmers market — and we have a similar vision that a restaurant is part food and part cultural experience.” Chef Kaleo Adams, formerly of The Beverly Hills Hotel, is overseeing Palma, a lobby restaurant serving small plates and natural wine, and Calabra, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar.
Wellness guru Martha Soffer is behind the 3,000-square-foot outpost of her famed Surya Spa, which will offer personalized ayurvedic treatments.
“We partner with the best local creative talent,” says Brian De Lowe, president and co-founder of Los Angeles-based Proper Hospitality. Wearstler adorned the interior, housed in a circa 1928 landmark Arthur E. Harvey-designed building, in a palette of understated nude, gold and slate to capitalize on the building’s Spanish architecture and Moorish details.
It’s the latest debut for the Kor Group’s quickly expanding Proper brand — another Los Angeles hotel opens later this year at the former Case Hotel building in downtown, complete with a custom glass feature from Pasadena’s Judson Studios, two lavish presidential suites, a rooftop pool, and two restaurants from renowned local chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne.
From $450/night. 700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-620-9990.
Feature image: SANTA MONICA PROPER HOTEL’s 271 rooms are equipped with luxury Italian linens and KELLY WEARSTLER custom throws. Photo by The Ingalls.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2019 issue of C Magazine and has been updated as of June 26, 2019.
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