Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles #Acedtla Photos + words by Jen pollack bianco

The newly opened Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles still has that new carpet smell, yet it’s rapidly becoming the hangout of choice for la creatives and loft dwellers in the nearby Arts District.

Located in the former Texaco office building, The Ace Hotel’s most exciting feature is the fabulously restored 1927 Spanish revival United Artist Theatre, which is right next door. Once the pet project of silent screen darling and Hollywood pioneer Mary Pickford, the 1600 seat former movie palace reopens this month as the Theatre at Ace Hotel.

Keeping with the Ace’s philosophy of being plugged into the local culture scene, the Ace has forged an artistic partnership with male dancer and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied’s edgy dance company, L.A. Dance Project. The Theatre at Ace Hotel has a three night run of U.S. premiere performances featuring music by Byrce Dessner of The National on the calendar for late February.

Each of the 188 guest rooms and suites at the #AceDTLA feature a turntable and vinyl from Amoeba Records. The art in the public spaces includes upcycled wall hangings made from blankets donated to skid row shelters. There’s free wifi, a rooftop pool, and communal tables where locals can mix with guests. It’s inevitable they’ll wind up in the Ace’s kick ass vintage photo booth. -Jen Pollack Bianco