The Ivory has opened its doors in Koreatown, offering a ‘home, but better’ experience in the heart of Los Angeles.
Founded by seasoned developer and hospitality operator Rachel Gerstein, the intimate 48-room urban sanctuary blends the warmth of a private residence with the refinement and global sensibility of a boutique hotel.
Its design-forward approach translates a range of international influences – Mexico City, London, the South of France, Portofino – through a distinctly Los Angeles lens.
The design sensibility is carried throughout the interiors, revealed in warm oak herringbone floors and a richly layered material palette. In the common spaces, moments of colour and pattern introduce vibrancy and character, while the guestrooms shift to soft, tonal hues that are intentionally simple, clean and luxurious.
Layered lighting and curated playlists are paired with a custom Air Aroma scent with warm, spicy and comforting notes of pink pepper, juniper berries, cashmere, iris, white blooms, magnolia, sandalwood and amber, creating a sensory environment that evokes lasting tranquillity and ease.
Public spaces, from the lobby lounge and courtyard to the pool, rooftop deck and 24-hour fitness centre, are designed to encourage connection while maintaining privacy and discretion.
A pillar of the experience is The Ivory’s art programme, under the direction of Art Director Matt Scheele, which centres on engaging and celebrating Los Angeles’ creative community through an evolving collection and cultural programming designed to connect guests more deeply with the city.
Works by notable Los Angeles–born or based artists, photographers and sculptors such as Urs Fischer, Richard Misrach, Rafa Esparza, Rebecca Morris, and Ruby Neri anchor the collection, while Daydream – a luminous, site-specific installation in poured mirror and glass by New York–based artist Rob Wynne – emerges as a standout within the space.
Suspended against a custom mural created expressly for the space, the work is displayed in the lobby lounge, capturing and refracting light and subtly shifting throughout the day.
“Koreatown – and Los Angeles more broadly – offers an incredible sense of energy, culture and constant movement,” says Gerstein. “With The Ivory, I wanted to create a place where guests can truly exhale – a tucked-away retreat that feels intimate and intentional, without ever veering into pretension. Every detail is rooted in the kind of experience I seek when traveling thoughtful design, meaningful connections to local and emerging art, engaging programming, abundant natural light and an overarching sense of sanctuary.”
