Historic Oceanfront Hotel, The Georgian, Re-Launches in Santa Monica, USA

Posted in News

Hoteliers Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality, in partnership with ESI Ventures, are delighted to announce the re-launch of Santa Monica’s iconic hotel The Georgian.

Perched above the Santa Monica waterfront on Ocean Avenue, The Georgian has been a fixture of the Southern California coastline since its debut in 1933 and will re-open to the public on Monday, April 3rd 2023.

Steeped in the history of old Hollywood, the famed Art Deco property has seen several iterations over the years, with regular guests including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and First Mother Rose Kennedy. The hotel’s opening coincided with the start of the golden age of hospitality and was the dream of renowned Californian hotelier, Mrs. Rosamond Borde, who commissioned celebrated architect Mr. M. Eugene Durfee to design a hotel of grand proportions. Dramatic in appearance but with a cozy, intimate feel, the landmark property has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

The Georgian, Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, USA. Above, Exterior and keybox. Top: Suite Living Room

A destination where global culture intersects with Californian charm, The Georgian has been carefully restored by Blanchard and Rusconi through the eye of leading interior architecture and design firm, Fettle, with architecture by HLW, alongside branding and experience company Corso Marketing Group. Maintaining the original concept’s striking features and presence throughout, complemented by thoughtful design, the property offers 84 keys – with 56 classic rooms and 28 one bedroom suites – with sweeping ocean views.

Ocean King Room and Suite Bed

Overlooking the California coastline, the building’s unmistakable turquoise façade has pride of place on Ocean Avenue, where the architecturally stunning property’s timeless elegance and historic significance is on full display. Fettle’s design offers a glimpse into the hotel’s 1930’s heyday which underscores its inherent traditional elements.

Suite Bathroom and shower

As guests approach the entrance they are greeted by rows of peach hibiscus and vibrant foliage designed and procured by LA nursery Rolling Greens. Whimsical topiaries flank the building’s distinctive navy striped awning-covered Sunset Terrace. Guests walk upon a Havana Deco inspired floor as they cross the threshold into The Georgian’s historic lobby. High ceilings accented with custom Art Deco chandeliers and original decorative reliefs welcome travellers to the cinematic entryway, with the visually striking horseshoe-shaped Sunset Bar to the left, and intimate dining room to the right. Seasonal floral installations by LA-based French floral artist Jean Pascal decorate the space.

Passing through the lobby and the Wes Anderson-inspired Reception, guests can explore The Georgian’s namesake gallery – Gallery 33. Beautiful, inspiring and contemporary, this dramatic space has been designed to celebrate the best of culture, the arts and the most unique of gatherings as well as showcasing the work of local, internationally renowned, and up-and-coming artists through an evolving program. Gallery 33 will also host specially commissioned exhibitions from historical and cultural institutions and is available to hire for private events, artist dinners and cocktail parties. The space was launched with works by actress  Sharon Stone who presents her first show Shedding, a Prelude – on display through the end of March.

Writer’s Room and library

The Writer’s Room offers a private dining space – perfect for intimate dinners and in-conversations –  with high-end AV equipment and room for up to 10 guests seated or 20 guests standing. The Library, which features a curated Hugo Guinness collection, presents a fully-stocked study with books curated by Lee Kaplan of Culver City’s Arcana: Books on the Arts. Modern best sellers and vintage books highlighting the history of art and culture in Los Angeles and Santa Monica and other foundational elements for The Georgian story can be found here. From Joan Didion to Eve Babitz to a private collection of Christopher Isherwood, the literary curation of the library is truly one-of-a-kind.

The 24-hour Gymnasium offers hotel guests top of the line fitness equipment including Peloton bikes, a Precor treadmill, and Alo Yoga Mats.

Suite Bar and sofa

Rooms at The Georgian embrace the hotel’s Art Deco heritage, many with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier, stretching out from Santa Catalina Island across to Malibu, where some of the world’s most breathtaking sunsets take place. Each room, with their original ornate peephole, features fully custom golden hued arched headboards designed by Fettle and globe shaped crystal light fixtures. Plush beds are draped in sustainable fine Italian linens by Bellino with accent cushions by Italian textile designer Lisa Corti. Rooms and suites all feature an antique bar cart and Marshall speaker. Custom Georgian-branded diamond knit bathrobes are complemented by vegan R+Co toiletries and industry-leading Harry Josh hair dryers. The Georgian will also be the first hotel in the world to offer Alo Moves, which allows guests to complete a selection of yoga tutorials via the in-room television.

Every element of The Georgian creates an extravagant but equally refined stage for a contemporary set of service standards. Suites feature separate bedrooms and large living rooms  with pastel toned couches. Each suite contains thoughtful touches to accent each guests’ stay, including  Polaroid cameras to chronicle the visit to Santa Monica on film and Victrola record players to provide the perfect vinyl soundtrack with curated records from California-based Ubiquity Records. The highlight of the suites is the custom-made floor to ceiling bar. Brass, with antiqued and backlit textured glass surround, the indulgent amenity has ornate buttons offering a unique “press for” concierge service, delivering everything from champagne and dessert to an antique cart of rare books, directly to the suite door.

Sunset Bar and dining room

On the ground level of the hotel, The Georgian offers a breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant known simply as Restaurant at The Georgian – stretching across the Sunset Terrace, Sunset Bar, and Dining Room.

Located beneath The Georgian lies The Georgian Room, a historic dinner-only restaurant and piano bar that will re-open for the first time in over 50 years. This discreet hangout gained a reputation amongst the rich and famous, with guests like Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, “Bugsy” Siegel, and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle all seeking refuge and a stiff drink within this notoriously exclusive secret.  The Georgian Room is now home to a 1918 ebony polished Steinway & Sons piano built into the bar that will be played after the sun goes down.

On the ground floor of The Georgian, a dedicated retail area offers essentials ranging from Salt and Stone deodorant and Dune Suncare to world class goods including Mason Pearson hair brushes, Frette towels, Harry Josh Pro Tools, and objects of indulgence from LA-based accessories brand Flora Nero.

BLVD took care throughout The Georgian’s renovation to substantially modernise operations systems to meet today’s hospitality sustainability standards, and utilising high-efficiency lighting and plumbing solutions.

www.thegeorgian.com

ABOUT BLVD
Founded by Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi, BLVD is a full-service real estate and hotel development company focusing on the practical imagineering of hospitality and the revitalisation of underserved and overlooked markets across the country. Placing hospitality at the foundation of every development, BLVD Hospitality believes that any development across any use can be programmed, designed, and built in a way that elicits warmth, passion, and inspiration. With over $500M in developed real estate and over 1400 keys, BLVD has made a lasting impact on the communities where it has focused its efforts.

Blvdhospitality.com

ABOUT ESI Ventures
ESI Ventures (“ESIV”) is a diversified and opportunistic CRE investment firm that focuses on the acquisition, development, and repositioning of value-add and adaptive reuse projects through a variety of positions in the capital stack. Since inception, ESIV has transacted $1+ billion (fully capitalized) of deals across multiple property types and geographies—approximately $500 million (fully capitalized) of which has come in the past five years. ESI Ventures is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California and is the sister company to E&S International Enterprises, a global leader in consumer products manufacturing and distribution.

esiventures.com

ABOUT FETTLE
Fettle is an interior architecture and design firm specialising in hospitality design founded by Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin. Fettle work with a variety of clients, from one-off operators and start-ups to large commercial brands. With offices in London and Los Angeles, Fettle provides a full spectrum of services, from space planning and project feasibility studies, to bespoke lighting and furniture design to create beautiful, functional spaces which portray their history, their location and their ethos.  Fettle’s studios in London and Los Angeles work collaboratively across all projects which include Cicchetti, Isola by San Carlo, Mortimer House Roof Bar and Chucs in London, The Elder and The Jib Door in Bath, Olivetta and Draycott in Los Angeles and the Hoxton Hotel, Rome.

Fettle-design.co.uk