Silver Lake has long been a hub for a certain kind of Los Angeles cool, yet a proper destination hotel seemed to elude the neighborhood for decades. Aside from a motel glow-up a few years back, there hasn’t really been a dedicated spot for visitors to stay. That changed recently with the opening of Hotel Lucile and its new restaurant, Sous Sous, which aim to anchor the hospitality scene around Sunset Junction.
Located at the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and Lucile Avenue, not far from the Sunset Triangle Plaza, Hotel Lucile has taken over a 1931 Romanesque Revival sanctuary. Originally a Presbyterian church, the building saw life as a performance theater and even an antique market before its latest transformation. For those wondering, it's not the infamous Katy Perry church in Los Feliz, though a local restaurateur once involved in the legal battle for that property also owned this Silver Lake church with unrealized plans for a hospitality conversion.
Casetta Hotels, a group known for reviving historic Southern California properties, has meticulously converted the empty church into a 25-room boutique hotel. Many of the building’s distinctive details remain: guests check in where holy water once was, stained glass depictions of the 12 apostles overlook the dining room, and the iron-framed windows in the guest rooms are original. The bell tower still stands, even if it doesn't toll anymore, providing a focal point from the rooftop. Jennifer Armbruster, president of Casetta Hotels, noted that local residents expressed gratitude for the preservation, saying, "Thank God you guys are keeping the essence of the building."
True to the spirit of a church as a community gathering space, the ground-floor restaurant Sous Sous aims to serve the neighborhood. The name, French for “under” or “below,” hints at its cozy placement in the church’s former nave. Sous Sous offers a Southern-inspired French menu, blending culinary influences from Nice and Marseille with those of Charleston and New Orleans. Chef Patrick Costa and beverage director Lee Zaremba, known for the Arts District spots De La Nonna and Let’s Go Disco, lead the kitchen and bar. Expect a seafood-focused menu that emphasizes olive oil and spice over rich, buttery decadence, complemented by a bar selection of bright wines, non-alcoholic options, and New Orleans-focused cocktails like Sazeracs and brandy crustas.
Guests staying the night might experience a unique amenity: General Manager Anthony Gutierrez delivering a martini to their door around 5 pm—a playful tradition that started as an inside joke. Gutierrez, who has been with Casetta Hotels for over five years, has overseen properties like the Surfrider Malibu, Big Bear’s Hotel Marina Riviera, and San Diego’s Pearl Hotel. For the past two years, he also served as project manager for Hotel Lucile’s final construction stages. He recalled the church’s unkempt state when he first joined, comparing it to a scene from “Fear the Walking Dead,” which actually filmed there.
The hotel’s "find your light" tagline refers to the shifting jewel tones cast through the stained glass windows. This stained glass motif extends into the guest rooms and retail shop, where Janel Foo of Pasadena’s Stained Glass Supplies crafted coasters mimicking the historic patterns. The art curation includes rotating works from the local Rhett Baruch Gallery and murals by Erin Lynn Welsh for the dining room, depicting Eaton Canyon and Elysian Park. Heather Tierney of The Butcher’s Daughter sourced decor and vinyl from France for the dining room, which also features elaborate floral arrangements on pew-like seating.
Currently, some areas are exclusively for hotel guests. The front of Sous Sous is curtained off during the day, offering espresso, coffee, and grab-and-go items. The choir loft, which provides an elevated view of the auditorium, functions as the hotel's lobby, where guests can order drinks. The rooftop, featuring an herb garden and native flora, offers views of the bell tower and a glimpse of the Downtown L.A. skyline. Armbruster anticipates a more public-facing phase around November or December, when the cafe will offer full lunch service, the choir loft will open to neighbors through a coworking membership, and the rooftop will welcome Sous Sous reservations for events like DJ sets and wine tastings. A future wellness space with a sauna, cold plunge, and spa services is also planned for a building south of the pool.
