W Hollywood

WATG’s integrated architecture and landscape architecture services were enlisted to renovate the iconic W Hollywood Hotel. The client’s objective was to establish the property as the first on the West Coast to debut the reimagined W brand. The design reflects the brand’s evolution while drawing on Hollywood’s enduring glamour at the intersection of art, lifestyle, and entertainment.

The expansive, multi-phased renovation includes a reconfiguration of the ground-floor lobby with the introduction of a new indoor-outdoor dining venue extending into the garden courtyard, a refreshed rooftop pool deck with the addition of the Sunrise rooftop bar, renovation of 305 guestrooms, expansion of the Hollywood Suite, and the addition of a new fitness center. A former nightclub was reprogrammed as a flexible event space, and an existing spa was converted into 14 new guestrooms.

“In the heart of Hollywood, every design move carries weight. For us, success meant aligning the project’s ambitious vision with the technical expertise and uncompromising quality required to deliver it, positioning the hotel as a true icon for the next era of the W brand.” — Greg Villegas, Managing Principal, Architecture.

As Architect, WATG worked in close collaboration with a signature interior design firm and consultant team to translate a highly ambitious design vision into buildable architectural solutions. The scope required careful alignment with brand standards, operational requirements, and local codes, while addressing the inherent complexities of working within an existing structure.

The renovation presented complex technical challenges, including routing new building services through existing structural systems and coordinating construction above an active Metro station. The trellis installation in the north-facing courtyard required direct coordination with city transit authorities to maintain clear separation between new structural and mechanical elements and the transit infrastructure below. WATG addressed these conditions through disciplined coordination and technical precision.

Architectural interventions included substantial structural modifications and spatial reprogramming to support new uses. The redesigned grand stair in the lobby has emerged as a defining architectural feature and a widely recognized “instagrammable moment” at the hotel. WATG also supported the relocation of the café bar from the lobby interior to the courtyard edge by facilitating a tall structural opening fitted with a retractable window-wall system. The resulting opening creates a strong visual and spatial relationship between interior and exterior dining areas.

Additional architectural expertise and technical support was needed for the installation of custom 3D-printed panels forming a sculptural fireplace wall within the lobby. The integration of this element required precise detailing and close coordination to realize its material and construction intent.

As Landscape Architect, WATG developed a distinct botanical story supported by a curated plant palette. The landscape design begins at the arrival motor court and porte cochere, where the arrival sequence was redefined through updated plantings that build upon the shaded, layered approach found in the courtyard. From there, the landscape experience continues into the interior lobby and courtyard before extending to the rooftop pool deck, reinforcing the overall concept and aligning with the character of the W brand.

The courtyard presented limited access to natural light, which informed the development of a “Night Garden” composed of plantings with consistent plant morphology, juxtaposing the scale of bold palmate fronds against the intricate texture of fern leaves. The result is a shaded, immersive environment with a rich, atmospheric character that contrasts with the surrounding urban context. This planting strategy strengthens the indoor and outdoor relationship envisioned for these socially active spaces, while drawing from plant typologies associated with classic Hollywood gardens.

In contrast, the rooftop pool deck is conceived as a “Day Garden,” defined by the sun and featuring sculptural plantings that evoke openness and brightness. For dramatic vertical presence, mature Dragon’s Blood trees were introduced and lifted by crane thirteen stories to the deck. Native to a small island off the coast of Africa and known for their slow growth, their scale and resilience bring a distinctive sculptural quality that establishes presence without relying on traditional palm imagery.

Together, the landscapes in the courtyard and on the deck establish a clear dialogue between night and day. Close collaboration with a specialty plant broker allowed for the sourcing of distinctive materials that support a cohesive design narrative throughout the property.

“The W Hollywood renovation moves beyond typical planting to showcase a profound client passion for botanical artistry. The integrated design uses experiential and temporal design to transform outdoor spaces into dynamic destinations achieved through two distinct narratives: the sun-drenched Rooftop Pool ‘Day Garden’ and the intimate Shaded Courtyard ‘Night Garden.’” —  Lance Walker, Managing Principal, Landscape Architecture.

Through integrated design services and close collaboration with the broader project team, WATG realized a comprehensive transformation of the W Hollywood, reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality destination in Los Angeles. The renovation aligns brand evolution with architectural clarity and a distinct landscape identity rooted in the character of Hollywood. Interior, exterior, and arrival experiences now operate as a cohesive whole, delivering spaces that are socially active, visually compelling, and grounded in thoughtful execution.

Photography by Andrea Cipriani Mecchi.