Rachel Gerstein’s debut hotel makes a case for a quieter kind of Los Angeles hospitality, in a neighbourhood that has never really needed more hotels, but did need one that felt like this.
Koreatown is not short of energy. What it has been short of, until now, is a hotel worth staying in. The Ivory, which opened at the end of April at 457 S. Mariposa Avenue, makes a reasonable claim to fixing that.
The 48-room property is the debut hotel from Rachel Gerstein, who developed and operates it. Her starting point was a straightforward observation: Los Angeles has hotels in abundance, but few that feel genuinely personal. The Ivory’s answer to that is a “home, but better” philosophy, which in practice means heated pool, rooftop deck, courtyard and fitness room, all kept exclusively for guests, alongside an on-site bar running caviar service, small plates, champagne and a California-focused wine list. Morning banana bread and evening cookies are part of the rhythm.
The design draws on a wide set of references, from Mexico City rooftops and the South of France to Portofino and London, without feeling like a mood board exercise. The art programme is the more distinctive element. Art Director Matt Scheele has assembled a collection anchored in Los Angeles, with works by Urs Fischer, Richard Misrach, Rafa Esparza, Rebecca Morris and Ruby Neri among those represented. The centrepiece is Daydream, a site-specific lobby installation in poured mirror and glass by New York artist Rob Wynne, suspended against a bespoke mural and designed to shift with the light through the day.
Service takes a flexible approach: guests can check in digitally or opt for a more traditional welcome, depending on what they want from the stay. Cultural programming, including panel discussions, intimate performances and rotating exhibitions, is planned for the coming months.
Rates start from £280 per night. The Ivory is open now.