A New Haven for the Modern Traveler: AXIS Architecture + Design Brings the AC Hotel Pasadena to Life
The AC Hotel Pasadena is a shining example of AXIS Architecture + Design’s expertise in crafting unique and elevated select service destinations that seamlessly blend modern design with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood. Located in the heart of Pasadena’s Playhouse Village arts district, the six-story hotel is a masterclass in urban design, effortlessly balancing the needs of both local residents and visitors. • **Key Features:**
• 194 rooms across 110,000 sf of hospitality, dining, and retail space
• Elegantly framed balconies and outdoor entertaining spaces on each of the building’s vertices
• Massive multi-story windows along the top floor, maximizing the hotel’s interface with the bustling sidewalk
• Over 5,000 sf of leasable retail space to the site plan, creating opportunities for new commercial anchors along the block
• Two distinct bar experiences, including a lobby-level bar and a destination rooftop restaurant and terrace
• A lobby created by AXIS working closely with Wild Muse to deliver an austere, open, and bright space
• A rooftop bar and restaurant with convertible glass walls, seamlessly merging interior and exterior spaces
The exterior design of the hotel is a true masterpiece. The contemporary and European-inspired design program, developed by AXIS, is immediately appreciated from the street. The building’s façade is elegantly framed by balconies and outdoor entertaining spaces on each of the building’s vertices, creating a sense of depth and visual interest. The massive multi-story windows along the top floor add to the effect, maximizing the hotel’s interface with the bustling sidewalk. To create a sheltered arrival experience for hotel guests, the building’s site plan ingeniously tucks the driveway and entrance behind the building, maximizing the lot’s functional space. Dynamic Trespa paneling set above old-world brick cladding perfectly blends contemporary aesthetics with local Southern Californian ambiance. The exterior design is polished by the addition of over 5,000 sf of leasable retail space to the site plan, creating opportunities for new commercial anchors along the block. The hotel also features two distinct bar experiences, including a lobby-level bar extending out to an al fresco patio with architectural landscaping, and a destination rooftop restaurant and terrace purposefully designed and oriented by AXIS to maximize guests’ views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Inside, AXIS worked closely with Wild Muse to execute The Welcome Group’s vision, delivering an austere, open, and bright lobby space that sets the tone for the rest of the hotel. The lobby’s design is elegant and modern, in harmony with AC Hotels’ contemporary European aesthetic. The streetfront windows appear to recede into infinity, framed within recessed alcoves in the ceiling, creating a sense of depth and visual interest. At the destination rooftop bar, convertible glass walls accordion out of sight to create a food and beverage venue where interior and exterior spaces seamlessly meld. This innovative design allows guests to seamlessly transition between the hotel’s indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a truly unique and memorable experience. The AC Hotel Pasadena is more than just a hotel – it’s a new commercial and entertainment destination in the city. The hotel’s design creates opportunities for the addition of new commercial anchors along the block, serving the neighborhood’s burgeoning dining scene. **Team Highlights:**
* AXIS Founding Principal Architect Cory Creath
* AXIS Founding Principal Architect Gene Fong
* Kevin Sund (Principal in Charge)
* AXIS Senior Associate Stephanie Park (Project Manager)
* Associate Jacob Lick (Job Captain)
**Construction and Engineering Partners:**
* R.D. Olson (Construction and General Contracting)
* Saiful Bouquet (Engineering)
**About AXIS Architecture + Design:**
AXIS Architecture + Design is a West Coast hospitality design, hotel renovation, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm. AXIS has a long history of delivering award-winning designs that exceed client expectations. AXIS’ expertise in hospitality design is evident in the AC Hotel Pasadena, which represents the firm’s sixth completed AC Hotel project and marks the latest addition to AXIS’ extensive ground-up hotel design portfolio. AXIS Architecture + Design is committed to pushing the boundaries of hospitality design, creating unique and elevated select service destinations that seamlessly blend modern design with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood. With its strong portfolio of award-winning projects, AXIS Architecture + Design is a trusted partner for clients seeking innovative and exceptional hospitality design solutions. Visit AXIS’ online hospitality portfolio to explore their latest projects and learn more about their design philosophy. AXIS Architecture + Design is dedicated to delivering exceptional hospitality design solutions that exceed client expectations. With a strong team of experts and a proven track record of success, AXIS is the perfect partner for clients seeking a unique and elevated select service destination.
AXIS Architecture + Design, renowned for its expertise in hospitality design, has unveiled its latest masterpiece – the AC Hotel Pasadena. This six-story hotel, located in the heart of Pasadena’s Playhouse Village arts district, embodies AXIS’ commitment to crafting unique and elevated select service destinations that seamlessly blend modern design with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood. The hotel’s exterior design is a true showstopper, boasting a contemporary and European-inspired design program that is immediately appreciated from the street.
• **Key Features:**
• 194 rooms across 110,000 sf of hospitality, dining, and retail space
• Elegantly framed balconies and outdoor entertaining spaces on each of the building’s vertices
• Massive multi-story windows along the top floor, maximizing the hotel’s interface with the bustling sidewalk
• Over 5,000 sf of leasable retail space to the site plan, creating opportunities for new commercial anchors along the block
• Two distinct bar experiences, including a lobby-level bar and a destination rooftop restaurant and terrace
• A lobby created by AXIS working closely with Wild Muse to deliver an austere, open, and bright space
• A rooftop bar and restaurant with convertible glass walls, seamlessly merging interior and exterior spaces
The exterior design of the hotel is a masterclass in urban design, effortlessly balancing the needs of both local residents and visitors. **Design Philosophy:**
AXIS Architecture + Design is committed to pushing the boundaries of hospitality design, creating unique and elevated select service destinations that seamlessly blend modern design with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood. With its strong portfolio of award-winning projects, AXIS Architecture + Design is a trusted partner for clients seeking innovative and exceptional hospitality design solutions.
The AC Hotel Pasadena represents the latest addition to AXIS’ extensive ground-up hotel design portfolio, showcasing the firm’s expertise in hospitality design. AXIS’ design philosophy is centered around creating unique and elevated select service destinations that exceed client expectations.
“We understand that it is a difficult and almost monumental achievement to take a project from inception all the way to completion,” notes AXIS Founding Principal Architect Cory Creath. “Our accomplishment is a testament to the determination of our clients at The Welcome Group, as well as the collective efforts of the team.”
AXIS Architecture + Design is a West Coast hospitality design, hotel renovation, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm with a long history of delivering award-winning designs that exceed client expectations.
The AC Hotel Pasadena is a shining example of AXIS’ expertise in crafting unique and elevated select service destinations that seamlessly blend modern design with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood.
