3 minute read
There's No Business Like Show Business
Palihouse Heads Back Into the Spotlight
By Stefanie Schwalb
Everyone loves a comeback story, especially in Tinseltown. And when it comes to tales about style and substance, the all-new Palihouse West Hollywood is one worth sharing. Located in the center of Los Angeles along famed West 3rd Street, this 95-room flagship hotel offers boutique luxury hospitality through the eclectic design lens of parent company, Avi Brosh’s Palisociety. The fully integrated hospitality company boasts a portfolio of numerous distinct hotel and residences, including Palihouse, Palihotel, ARRIVE by Palisociety, and several independently branded properties located all across the United States.
And while distinctly Californian, Palihouse West Hollywood also features a hint of Old World, European flair showcased via a range of customized fabrics, patterns, textures, and details found throughout numerous areas. Visitors will enjoy the spacious, pied-à-terre-inspired accommodations decorated with antique pieces, an array of artwork, and custom light fixtures; its two signature dining destinations, the Lobby Lounge Café & Bar designed with eye-catching custom tiles, greenery, and oversized pendant lighting, and Mezzanine Sushi, a lavish Japanese sake bar inspired by Golden Age Tokyo’s hidden eateries; the heated guest-only swimming pool and indoor/outdoor adjacent lounge; the fitness room; and special event, meeting, and private dining spaces.
The hotel, which originally opened 15 years prior on Holloway Drive as the brand’s first signature property, was shuttered during the pandemic. Now, Palihouse West Hollywood marks its return with a reinvention, reimagination, and relocation, and we connected with Palisociety’s in-house design team—Cynthia Lee and Oscar Trujillo—for some project insights, starting with how the general aesthetic, architecture, and location informed their design and lighting choices. “The existing structure consists of two interlocking geometric blocks, and we wanted to take the opportunity to add visual interest to the facade through lighting,” explained Lee and Trujillo. “Being that the hotel is on the corner of a very transited street, it was important to use lighting as a way to add to the design hierarchy and aesthetics of the building.” Among those added elements are the branded neon sign signaling the sushi pick-up window, the marquee lights in the porte-cochère creating personable scale, and the frosted globes on the restaurant facade to create a playful beacon, they added. “These lighting elements were curated to enhance the existing building architecture. This same concept extends into the interiors with intentionally selected lighting to create scale and ambiance and attract the eye to each space.”
The scale and ambiance that Lee and Trujillo refer to for the lighting is apparent throughout the property, from the guestrooms to the pool and bar areas as well as Mezzanine Sushi. It’s based on ensuring that the Palisociety’s signature vibe was showcased and consistent in all areas. “Palisociety’s goal is to create a bespoke experience for the guests. In doing so, we source from a small manufacturer out of the United Kingdom that produces one-of-a-kind, handmade fixtures that have a great timeless quality to them,” said Lee and Trujillo. “We also customize certain globe lights by working with a local artist that hand paints the Palisociety ‘P’ on select fixtures.” One of those fixtures appears prominently as part of the welcoming environment visitors encounter when they enter and head towards the front desk.
The pair noted that lighting and choice of fixtures plays a significant part in their design approach. “Lighting is critical to our design and sets the ambiance. It enhances the design of the space and brings to life finishes and materials,” revealed Lee and Trujillo. “We strive to strike a balance between ensuring the spaces are properly lit and ensuring the output has a warm, soft glow. This is especially important in the evening when people are relaxing and enjoying a meal or hanging out with friends over drinks.”
As for what they look to for inspiration in design and lighting, it’s all about making an impact that can stand the test of time. “Palisociety’s inspiration comes from the desire to create timeless design, and rather than being inspired by current trends, we look for quality craftsmanship and products that have a unique design aesthetic,” they noted. “We look to source light fixtures that are appropriate to each space, design, and the brand. We also strive to use a variety of light fixtures too, so that guests get a different experience wherever they look.”
Speaking of seeing that variety, guest experiences at Palisociety properties will continue to expand during 2023 with new hotels and residence openings being added to the company’s roster. The portfolio currently includes properties in California, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington, with some additional locales slated to open soon in Florida, New Mexico, and Louisiana—among other destinations. ■
