Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles: a virtual art museum in downtown's cultural corridor.

A Virtual Art Museum In Downtown's Cultural Corridor

Downtown's newest hotel in a decade, The Hotel Inter*Continental Los Angeles is a virtual art museum and an extension of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). More than ten contemporary pieces are on loan from the museum's permanent collection along with works of art by some of California's best known artists.

The $100 million hotel, which opened December, 1992 is the only one in the Western United States that has dedicated itself to fine modern art which is exhibited throughout the hotel's public space including its guest and meeting rooms.

Art highlights in the public areas include the lobby's dramatic focal point "Yellow Fin," a 3,284-pound steel sculpture by East Coast artist David Stromeyer; more than six pen and wash drawings of historic Victorian homes which once graced Bunker Hill by Gerald Brommer located in the second floor meeting rooms; and two contemporary murals in The Grand Cafe by Los Angeles artist Joe Bachelor.

On the hotel's lobby and restaurant level Frank Stella's colorful "Exotic Bird Series" are on exhibit, as well as an oil and pigment on kimdura by Lita Albuquerque, which is on display on the lobby level. Two works of art by Norman Sunshine and a collage drawing by Jean St. Pienrre also enhance the hotel's art collection.

As part of its support of the arts in downtown, the hotel is currently offering an "artful Lodger" weekend package ($199 single or double occupancy) any Friday/Saturday. The package includes a one bedroom suite; two tickets to The Museum of Contemporary Art; a dinner for two in Angel's Flight Restaurant with a bottle of Zaca Mesa wine (named after the historic funicular which operated on Bunker Hill for more than 50 years); breakfast for two in The Grand Cafe which overlooks MOCA; complimentary overnight parking; and a courtesy car and driver to The Music Center.

Located on historic Bunker Hill, the hotel is the premiere location for conducting business in downtown. It is located in the heart of downtown's cultural district, adjacent to MOCA, and only several blocks away from The Music Center of Los Angeles County. Currently under construction is the Walt Disney 2,380-seat Concert Hall, a gift by Lillian B. Disney and scheduled for completion in 1997.

The 439-room Hotel Inter* Continental is part of the $1.2 billion California Plaza project which consists of the 1.5-acre Watercourt, a performance plaza for cultural events and festivals which is landscaped with an urban garden and dancing waterfalls which reach monumental heights.

Surrounding the Watercourt seating area on the plaza level, are close to a dozen pieces of neon art on loan from the Museum of Neon Art. Well-known artists have pieces exhibited in this public space including Lilly Lakich, Jan Sanchez, Mary Cater and Tessie Wong. Lakich's sculpture entitled, "L.A. Angel", is 85 feet long, has 500 feet of neon tubing and uses 1,000 watts of power.

Also part of this complete lifestyle which is represented on Bunker Hill is Spiral Court, California Plaza's outdoor venue for noontime concerts, commercial office space, residential condominiums and retail shopping.

The hotel is located at 251 Olive Street in downtown Los Angeles and is moments away from historic Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo.