History and architecture of Hotel Figueroa
Hotel Figueroa opened in 1926 as a YWCA-affiliated women’s hotel and was restored to its Spanish Colonial style during a two-year renovation completed in 2018. The 268-room landmark in Downtown LA retains original 1920s features—arched windows, ironwork chandeliers and a limestone fireplace—alongside modernized public spaces, a signature coffin-shaped courtyard pool, and multiple on-site restaurants.
In this guide
- Origins: a 1926 women’s hotel
- Spanish Colonial architecture and the 2018 restoration
- Lobby, lounges and public rooms
- Courtyard, signature pool and outdoor spaces
- Rooms and suites: historic character meets modern amenities
- Events, weddings and historic event spaces
- Preservation, contemporary use and neighborhood context
Origins: a 1926 women’s hotel
Hotel Figueroa was built in 1926 as a business hotel affiliated with the YWCA, intended to provide safe, affordable lodging for women travelers. That original mission is part of the property’s historic identity.
Over the decades the building changed uses and owners, but its historic purpose and many architectural details remained a defining part of the hotel’s story.
- Opened: 1926 (originally YWCA-affiliated)
- Function: designed as lodging for women travelers and business visitors
- Historic continuity: original 1920s elements survive in public rooms and event spaces
| Fact | What we know |
|---|---|
| Original use | YWCA-affiliated women’s hotel (business travelers) |
| Year built | 1926 |
| Rooms today | 268 rooms and suites |
Spanish Colonial architecture and the 2018 restoration
The hotel’s architectural language is Spanish Colonial / Mediterranean, expressed in arched openings, carved columns, ironwork chandeliers and tiled insets. These features date to the 1920s construction and are emphasized throughout the property.
A two-year restoration completed in 2018 returned many historic details while updating mechanical systems, guest rooms and food-and-beverage venues. The renovation sought to preserve original decorative elements and adapt interiors for modern hospitality needs.
- Style: Spanish Colonial / Mediterranean (arches, ironwork, tile)
- Renovation: two-year restoration completed in 2018
- Scale: historic public rooms and event spaces retained and refreshed
| Element | Historic / Restored presence |
|---|---|
| Arched windows & doorways | Prominent in lobby, suites and event rooms |
| Original limestone fireplace | Retained in the Gran Sala ballroom |
| Decorative tile & ironwork | Repaired and highlighted during renovation |
Lobby, lounges and public rooms
The lobby and adjoining lounges mix original Spanish Colonial bones with modern furnishings and curated art. You’ll find high ceilings, chandeliers and seating vignettes arranged for conversation and events.
Public rooms include a fireplace lounge and multiple bar areas that connect to dining venues; many of these spaces showcase restored architectural details such as arched corridors and framed historic photographs.
- Design: high ceilings, chandeliers, layered seating and art installations
- Notable features: arched hallway galleries and a limestone fireplace in event spaces
- Food & drink access: Bar Magnolia and other bars connect to the lobby and lounge areas
| Public space | Character |
|---|---|
| Lobby & Fireplace Lounge | High ceilings, sofas, sculptural lighting |
| Bar Magnolia | European-inspired cocktail lounge adjacent to the lobby |
| Arched hallways | Gallery-like circulation with historic photographs |
Courtyard, signature pool and outdoor spaces
Hotel Figueroa’s courtyard contains the property’s signature coffin-shaped pool set among botanical plantings including cactus, eucalyptus and fig trees. The pool is a ground-level feature unique among many Downtown LA hotels.
Poolside dining and drinks are handled through the hotel’s pool lounge operations, and the courtyard functions as a social hub for guests in warm weather.
- Pool shape: coffin-shaped outdoor pool set in landscaped courtyard
- Planting: cactus and fig trees (part of courtyard planting scheme)
- Pool hours: hotel guest compendium lists 8:00 AM–8:00 PM for swimming (check current compendium for updates)
| Pool detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Ground level | Only ground-level hotel pool in Downtown LA (per sources) |
| Poolside service | Poolside bar service is available (La Casita/Bar Magnolia connections) |
| Day passes | Day passes for pool use have been offered via third-party partners (e.g., ResortPass) |
Rooms and suites: historic character meets modern amenities
Guest accommodations were updated during the restoration but reflect the hotel’s Spanish Colonial aesthetic in details like arched alcoves, exposed beams in some suites, patterned tile bathrooms and plaster finishes. The property has 268 rooms, including seven suites.
Named room types include Suite, 1 Bedroom; Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 1 Queen Bed; Room, 2 Double Beds; Room, 2 Queen Beds; Room, Bathtub; Suite (Casa); Junior Suite; Suite (Casablanca); Suite (Figueroa); and Room (High Floor). Specific in-room amenities are listed on the hotel’s site and guest compendium.
- Total rooms: 268 (261 standard rooms, 7 suites)
- Selected suite names: Suite (Casa), Suite (Casablanca), Suite (Figueroa), Suite, 1 Bedroom
- Room features: examples include arched alcoves, exposed beams, patterned-tile bathrooms in various room types
| Room category (examples) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite | King bed with seating area under an arch in some layouts |
| Suite (Casablanca) | Suite with archway to living area and separate vanity spaces |
| Room (High Floor) | Higher-floor queen-bed option noted among the 11 room types |
Events, weddings and historic event spaces
Hotel Figueroa preserves several historic event rooms suitable for weddings, conferences and private events. The Gran Sala ballroom retains an original 1920s limestone fireplace and arched windows and is a principal event space.
The property offers a range of indoor and outdoor venues—Terrazza rooftop terrace, Tangier (Moroccan-inspired), La Casita event spaces, Bar Alta & Casbah and more—totaling over 10,000 square feet of event space.
- Gran Sala: historic ballroom with limestone fireplace and arched windows
- Terrazza: rooftop terrace for outdoor ceremonies or receptions
- Tangier: Moroccan/Moorish lower-level event room with built-in DJ booth
| Venue | Square footage / Capacity (what sources state) |
|---|---|
| Gran Sala | 2,091 sq ft; generally cited capacities up to ~140 guests (various seating options) |
| Tangier | 2,300–3,024 sq ft; standing up to 200 / seated around 100 |
| Terrazza | ~1,600–1,647 sq ft; up to 100 guests |
Preservation, contemporary use and neighborhood context
The 2018 restoration balanced historic preservation with new hospitality programming: the hotel is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and operates contemporary restaurants and bars while retaining its 1920s architectural identity.
Located at 939 S Figueroa St in South Park, Downtown Los Angeles, Hotel Figueroa sits across from L.A. Live and within easy walking distance of Crypto.com Arena, the GRAMMY Museum and convention facilities—making its historic rooms part of a busy entertainment and events corridor.
- Brand affiliation: part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
- Address: 939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Neighborhood: South Park; immediate proximity to L.A. Live and Crypto.com Arena
| Feature | Context |
|---|---|
| Historic identity | Built 1926; restored 2018 to emphasize Spanish Colonial features |
| Local attractions | Across from L.A. Live; short walk to Crypto.com Arena and GRAMMY Museum |
| Guest profile | Event and entertainment visitors, convention attendees, cultural tourists |
