Rockwell Group designed the first W Hotel, which opened in 1998 on Lexington Avenue in New York City, and have collaborated with W over the years to help shape the brand. Our redesign and renovation of the W Hollywood represents one of the first iterations of the new W brand design concept developed by Rockwell Group for Marriott.
Hollywood is at the crossroads of multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods, tucked between the luxury residences in the Hollywood Hills and the bustling streets of Downtown Los Angeles. This unique positioning contextualizes Hollywood as the meeting place of arts, entertainment, and lifestyle. And this commingling is at the heart of the hotel’s design.
Los Angeles has a rich history of film and music, a home for dreamers and moguls alike. It is well known for its restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment, and also for its iconic palm tree-lined streets and light, celebrated in myriad films. W Hollywood captures these contrasts and creativity, with the feel of a luxurious home perched above in the hills. Entering the property is like arriving at a secret garden, one celebrating the cinematic quality of the city and bathed in golden light.
Arrival / Entry
The new W arrival area represents the stars, in both terrestrial and celestial senses. It’s a dreamlike, residential space meant to draw guests in. Layered materiality includes terrazzo flooring, reflective surfaces, lush plantings, and bold colors.
Living Room and Bar
A distillation of the fluidity of the surrounding hills and light that bathes the area, the triple-height Living Room combines texture, light, finish, and color to form the ultimate place to hang out no matter the hour. Undulating seating and a rounded staircase mimics the nearby topography, while brass and bronze used throughout represent the spectacular local light. Velvet fabrics are tactile and welcoming, while expanses of terrazzo bring a midcentury sense of calm and order. Bold lighting and decorative accents infuse the space with a feeling of energy and elegance. Guests and locals can mingle in the conversation pit-like central space or gather around the curved bar with a fluted back wall. Opposite the bar, a monolithic, grand fireplace is framed by 35’ tall terrazzo “curtains.” A glass wall system blurs the line between the Living Room and Courtyard, as do multiple green walls.
Courtyard
The Courtyard is a lush garden that layers full-grown trees and other vegetation with warm-toned, tactile banquettes, love seats, and chairs. Mosaic-like terrazzo flooring with marble and precious stones provides the barefoot luxury that reinforces that feeling of being at a private estate. An enormous trellis wrapped in green glass continues the reflectivity and depth found throughout the hotel.
Fitness center
The dynamic W Fitness Center features an open, halo ceiling and moody lighting reminiscent of a night sky. While at ground level, blue and gold tones, natural wood, and sleek detailing come together for individual and group exercise. Bronze and silver mirrors continue the moments of illusion and reflectivity woven throughout the hotel.
Wet Deck
The centerpiece pool deck was inspired by the barefoot luxury Los Angeles is known for, with a simplicity that encourages relaxation and renewal.
Two new bars flank the space. The Sunset bar frames the Hills and its reflectivity blends with the dusk light to create its own magic hour. Materials—including terrazzo flooring, ombre mirrors, textured plaster, and curvy, wool bouclé-upholstered armchairs—create an atmosphere of moody blues that represent darkening sky. Directly opposite, at the end of a long row of cabanas, is the Sunrise bar, with bright tile in oranges, pinks, and sand tones and rich, handcrafted tile work on the front. It feels simultaneously tropical and local, an escape in one’s own backyard.
In between the two bars, trellises and cabanas hidden behind ombre sheer curtains and outfitted with minimalist chaises and sofas provide both privacy and a respite from the afternoon sun. A multitude of lanterns—as well as the glow from the pool—create an atmospheric oasis in the evening. The palette is a mix of white, warm materials, and wood, plus a blend of citrus tones.
Recording Studio
Because the music industry is so much a part of the history and culture of Los Angeles, as well as W’s own history, the hotel accommodates everything from a Grammy’s afterparty to recording sessions. In this way the creative process can seamlessly flourish. Details are rich, plush, tactile, and activated, in jewel tones of green and orange with accents of black and white.
Rooftop Lounge
For the rooftop lounge, we were inspired by a carefully realized, minimalist modern home in the hills. Smooth concrete floors meet strong architectural gestures, with softness from sheer drapery. The view is of the Los Angeles hills, with Beverly Hills in the distance, and the Hollywood sign.
Ballroom
The ballroom is deceptively simple, with few adornments: its dynamic accents are revealed slowly. Custom carpets are lively but understated, with a repetition of simple shapes that creates an energetic ground cover. Lighting is both celestial and sculptural, with rich and enveloping velvet drapery. Portal with cove lighting surround the room, with flexible and moveable bars, tables, and furniture for multiple configurations and a variety of events.
Meeting rooms
These spaces are centers for presenting and exchanging ideas, with layers of playful art, color, and texture mirroring the infinite range of creativity that will take place within their walls. Bespoke carpets line the corridors and rooms, providing an artistic foundation. Furnishings are minimalist and open. Colors are neutral with pops of boldness to stimulate conversation.
Guest Rooms
The guestrooms are meant to be both comfortable and fun. A custom seating system wraps the space, creating an intimate lounge environment to gather with friends. Venetian plaster-inspired wallcoverings feature a metallic reflectivity that picks up and amplifies the Southern California light. A glass box surrounds the windows, picking up reflections of the hills.
Team:
Architects: David Rockwell
Client: Marriott International
Photographer: Michael Kleinberg
