Opening in East Los Angeles, the striking architectural conversion brings historic character, local art, and a vibrant new dining destination to Silver Lake.
A landmark nearly a century in the making has officially entered its latest chapter in East Los Angeles. Following an extensive, seven-and-a-half-year restoration, the historic 1931 Bethany Presbyterian Church in Silver Lake has been meticulously revived as Hotel Lucile, a 25-room boutique property that opened its doors last week.
Over the decades, the striking red-brick building has served a trio of distinct roles: first as a neighborhood house of worship, later as a pioneering Asian-American theater space, and eventually as a local antique market. Rather than erasing its storied past, design studio Electric Bowery anchored the redevelopment around the structure’s original architectural bones, preserving monumental timber beams, steel-framed windows, and vibrant stained glass.
The building’s former chapel now functions as the hotel’s dramatic social hub, housing the Sous Sous restaurant and bar beneath soaring eight-meter-high ceilings. Outside, the church’s original courtyard has been transformed into a sun-drenched pool deck framed by daybeds and a wooden pergola.
Guest rooms span six distinct categories, featuring custom touches like Parachute linens, Erewhon-curated minibars, and rotating local art. Speaking on the painstaking journey to revive the nearly 100-year-old landmark, opening general manager Anthony Gutierrez noted the delicate balance between honouring the past and welcoming modern travelers.
“We had surprises up until the day when we received our certificate of occupancy,” Gutierrez said. “It was not an easy journey.”
With its blend of historic preservation and neighbourhood-focused hospitality, Hotel Lucile offers a distinct alternative to traditional West Coast stays just ahead of the city’s upcoming global sporting events.
