The Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles Are Under the Same Roof ... but Boast Individual Designs
Both designed by Yabu Pushelberg.









Yabu Pushelberg‘s latest hospitality project is double the fun, aesthetic allure and everything else design fans love about the renowned design firm. The firm led by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg recently revealed its distinct yet cohesive designs, curated for two California hotels – the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles – housed under the same roof.
Both hotels combined offer 727 guestrooms and total a built-up area of 600,000 square feet, giving Yabu Pushelberg and Lightstone, the property developer, quite the canvas. “We wanted to introduce the Moxy state of mind to California and develop the language of the AC brand. It was a unique opportunity to create two parallel ways of seeing Los Angeles in style and spirit,” Yabu Pushelberg explains of the California-centric aura the firm aims to bring – especially to the first Moxy hotel in California. “There is a sense of freedom here that makes life sweeter, and we wanted to capture this spirit and infuse these moments throughout the design language of both hotels.”
For the Moxy, Yabu Pushelberg wanted to bring some California adventure to the playfully-branded, Marriott hotel. Drawing inspiration from 1969 film Easy Rider Yabu Pushelberg leans into bold and edgy design choices that evoke the same nomadic lifestyle the film glorifies. The expansive, open-ceiling lobby is complete with a slew of desert motifs including a retro-style motorcycle and sidecar, motorcycle-inspired seating, swing chairs, desert driftwood tables, and an array of snake prints on the custom-made carpet. Desert rock formations inform the colorways of the walls, which contrast with reflective mirrored columns, evoking a desert mirage. Guests may mistake the Bar Moxy for a vintage roadside gas station, complete with an earth-toned color palette. Custom modular furniture is scattered about The Studios – a collaborative workspace by day turned into a lively nightlife venue by night. Each guest room is furnished with a copper-colored mosaic wall, evoking the ethos of a desert sunset, as well as unique headboards created from distressed leather and custom handlebar sculptures. See more photos of the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles in the gallery below.
The AC Hotel takes a more artistically-inspired approach. Infused with the Spanish roots of both the AC group and Southern California in general, Yabu Pushelberg imagined the hotel as a hub for traveling artists. Guests step into the hotel’s aesthetic aura immediately upon entering into the the Satellite Lobby, which evokes the energy of an artist’s studio. The Sky Lobby Check-In sits on the 34th floor complete with sculptural wooden totems, handcrafted pieces and 360-degree city views. Hand-curated sculptures frame the outskirts of the sophisticated yet sensual Library Lounge, while a black steel fireplace in the middle proves ideal for gatherings. The contemporary communal space sees rich earth tones and textural finishes throughout, with L-shaped sofas intermingled with spherical seating options and arched floor lamps. Right next door, The La Lo La Rooftop boasts an alluring display of artwork and floral installations, and is complete with an indoor lounge, outdoor bar and dining area. Travelers can seek refuge in ethereal yet comforting guestrooms, each equipped with a colorful custom carpet and relaxing oak walls and birch wood floors. See more photos of the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles in the gallery below.
Elsewhere in the design space, check out Victor B. Ortiz’s vision for Brazil’s largest private tennis court.