Hotel Lucile Opened in Former Silver Lake Church

The 25-room boutique hotel in Los Angeles debuted in September 2026 inside a historic 1931 building.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Hotels

Screen-print poster illustration of an arched historic building facade with a steeple, representing a boutique hotel conversion. — The boutique Hotel Lucile has opened in Los Angeles, marking a repurposing of the historic 1931 Bethany Presbyterian Church building. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support converting historic church buildings in your area into commercial hotels?

The Hotel Lucile opened in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, in September 2026. Operated by Casetta, the property occupies a 1931 building that previously served as the Bethany Presbyterian Church.

Why it matters

The project addresses the growing trend of converting empty religious buildings into hospitality venues. Declining church attendance has left many historic structures vacant, prompting developers to seek new uses for these sites.

The property features 25 guest rooms, a 225 square foot pool, and the Sous Sous restaurant which seats 120 people. Room rates start at US$441 per night, with an additional mandatory US$50 daily amenity fee applied to all guests.

The players

Casetta

Casetta is the hotelier and hospitality group responsible for operating the new property.

Electric Bowery

Electric Bowery is the design firm that collaborated on the conversion of the church into a hotel.

The details

The building was converted by hotelier Casetta and the design firm Electric Bowery. Modifications included transforming the former organ loft into a meeting area and the choir loft into a beverage space, while retaining the original rooftop cross.

The building was originally constructed as the Bethany Presbyterian Church in 1931.
St. Vibiana's Cathedral was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
A new hotelier took over the site in 2020.
California passed legislation in 2023 to facilitate building conversions.
The Hotel Lucile officially opened to guests in September 2026.

Travel Outlook

The project follows the path established by California's 2023 adaptive reuse legislation, which aims to streamline the repurposing of vacant buildings. This trend reflects a broader shift toward transforming underutilized historic architecture to meet modern demand for unique boutique lodging.

Guests should note that the hotel does not offer on-site parking, so travel arrangements should be planned accordingly. California residents can take advantage of a 15 per cent discount on their stay.

The takeaway

Travelers seeking unique experiences can now stay in historic buildings that have been repurposed rather than demolished. This project demonstrates how architectural heritage can be preserved through sustainable hospitality development.