A piece of Los Angeles history has come back to life.
Hotel Clark quietly soft-opened last month, welcoming guests into the downtown landmark for the first time since it closed its doors in the early 1990s.
More than three decades later, its long-delayed redevelopment is finally complete, bringing stylish new accommodations and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant to the storied property.
The 11-story building now has 348 modernized rooms, including an expansive 650-square-foot suite with a king bed and separate living area.
The so-called “lifestyle hotel” also features a skyline-facing pool, fitness center and communal game room stocked with pool tables, shuffleboard and classic board games.
Its restaurant, Votana, is set to open Oct. 15 and will serve dishes inspired by the coastal cuisines of California, Greece, Italy, Spain and Southern France.
On the first floor, guests can visit Clubhouse at Clark, an elevated sports bar specializing in bourbon and rye cocktails, along with draft beer.
The Lobby Lounge will also serve cocktails and host a daily social hour featuring signature drinks, savory bites and indulgent desserts.
The reopening by hospitality management firm OTH Hotels Resorts marks a long-awaited return for a property with a particularly wild history.
The Beaux-Arts-style building was constructed in 1914 by railway entrepreneur and real estate investor Eli P. Clark, who opened it as a sprawling 555-room hotel.
The property was later converted into low-rent apartments, setting the stage for a series of battles over its future.
In 1979, after the building was reacquired, its new operator tried to evict residents and turn it back into a luxury hotel. The tenants fought back, suing the company for harassment — and won.
A decade later, the building was purchased by the People’s Republic of China, which planned to transform it into a “Chinese business and cultural center.”
The facade was preserved, but the interior was given a dramatic “international style” makeover.
But that chapter didn’t last either. After diplomatic relations between the US and China soured, the building was converted back into low-rent housing. A second attempt to evict residents and raise rents ended in another lawsuit — and a $1.7 million settlement.
Remodeling finally began in 2012, with interior renovations completed two years later.
The building has sat vacant ever since — until now.
Stays at Hotel Clark start at around $207 per night for a room with two full-size beds. A one-bedroom suite runs about $508 per night.
The building is located near the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena.
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