AXIS Architecture + Design, the noted and award-winning West Coast hospitality design, hotel architecture, adaptive reuse, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm, is proud to celebrate the completion of the Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles. Located along Arcadia’s destination Huntington Drive, the 173-room full-service Hilton hotel represents one of AXIS’ most architecturally ambitious hospitality projects to date, combining the ground-up design of a new six-story hotel tower with the adaptive reuse and conversion of an existing three-story office building. Serving as both Design Architect and Architect of Record, AXIS guided the project from concept through construction.

Developed by VG Properties and constructed by R.D. Olson Construction, the Hilton Arcadia further expands AXIS’ extensive portfolio of hospitality architecture projects throughout the Western United States while showcasing the firm’s growing expertise in adaptive reuse and hospitality-driven redevelopment.

A rare hospitality project uniting adaptive reuse and new construction

The completed hotel brings together a newly constructed six-story tower and a converted three-story office building within a single operational Hilton-branded property, creating a unified guest experience that conceals the project’s dual origins.

The new hotel tower delivers guestrooms, banquet facilities, pre-function event space, and guest amenities, while the former office building has been comprehensively reimagined as a hospitality environment offering additional guestrooms, dining venues, meeting facilities, and a rooftop lounge. Together, the two structures comprise more than 153,000 square feet of hospitality space, functioning not as separate buildings but as a single cohesive destination. Achieving this level of integration across the two building types required careful coordination of architectural planning, life-safety systems, circulation patterns, operational requirements, and brand standards.

AXIS’ design draws architectural inspiration from one of Southern California’s most iconic landmarks

Central to AXIS’ vision for the Hilton Arcadia was the opportunity to create an architectural response to one of Southern California’s most recognizable neighboring landmarks: Santa Anita Park.

Widely regarded as one of the nation’s most celebrated racetracks, Santa Anita Park is equally known for its distinctive Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture. Inspired by the racetrack’s iconic 1930s grandstand and pavilion structures, AXIS developed an architectural language that translates the elegance, movement, and sophistication of the era into a contemporary hospitality environment.

The hotel’s exterior composition is defined by sweeping curves, strong vertical window rhythms, and carefully proportioned massing that evokes the architectural character of Santa Anita while maintaining a distinctly modern identity. Along Huntington Drive, the building establishes a confident presence that both complements and respects its historic neighbor, creating a visual dialogue between past and present.  Through careful attention to façade articulation, material selection, scale, proportion, and fenestration patterns, AXIS created a cohesive architectural identity that allows the hotel to be perceived as a single development despite its dual construction origins.

Creating a seamless architectural experience across two building typologies

Beyond the visual challenge of unifying old and new construction, the Hilton Arcadia required AXIS to solve a series of complex architectural and operational challenges inherent to combining adaptive reuse and ground-up development within a single hospitality project.

Unlike a conventional hotel development, the project required the design team to reconcile differing structural systems, floorplate configurations, building code requirements, and circulation patterns while maintaining the operational efficiencies expected of a modern full-service Hilton property. The success of the project lies not only in its architectural appearance, but also in the seamless manner in which guests move throughout the property without awareness of the different building types that underpin the development.

This integration extends beyond planning and operations to the overall guest experience. Complementing AXIS’ architectural vision, interior design for the project was developed by Atwater Inc. Studio, whose hospitality-focused interiors extend the property’s contemporary interpretation of Southern California’s Art Deco heritage throughout the guest experience.

Hilton Arcadia reinforces AXIS’ leadership in hospitality architectural design

Led by AXIS’ Los Angeles studio, the completion of the Hilton Arcadia further strengthens AXIS’ reputation as one of the West Coast’s leading hospitality architecture firms. Beyond its significance as a new full-service Hilton property, the project serves as a compelling example of the firm’s ability to navigate the complexities of hospitality design, adaptive reuse, and large-scale development while delivering memorable guest experiences rooted in local context and architectural character.

As hospitality developers increasingly explore opportunities to reposition aging commercial assets, the Hilton Arcadia stands as a model for how existing office buildings can be thoughtfully transformed and expanded through hospitality-focused redevelopment, unlocking new value while contributing distinctive destinations to their surrounding communities.

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AXIS is pleased to announce that Christopher C. Coates, AIA, NCARB, has joined the firm as Associate Principal and Project Director. A recognized expert in California multi-family residential and affordable housing design and development, Christopher brings more than 20 years of experience delivering complex housing projects across Southern California to the team, and includes in his expertise unique experience in navigating the regulatory, financial, and entitlement frameworks that shape housing production in Los Angeles.

Over the course of his career, Christopher has worked extensively across a wide range of residential typologies, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, student housing, senior living communities, and market-rate developments. His design approach emphasizes the integration of sustainability and innovation within housing solutions, and includes experience with both wood and steel modular construction systems. Additionally, Christopher’s portfolio includes Passive House design and an expert understanding of its engineering standards. Christopher has also led adaptive reuse and ground-up residential developments utilizing HUD financing, positioning him at the intersection of design excellence and development feasibility.

In addition to his architectural design expertise, Christopher is highly experienced in the policy and financing mechanisms that enable housing delivery in California. He has advised development teams on navigating state and local Density Bonus laws and the 4% and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) process – critical tools for advancing affordable housing production in high-cost urban markets. As well, Christopher is an active advocate and volunteer giving back to the industry through a number of organizations and boards committed to advancing housing accessibility and affordability. He is an affiliate and proponent of the ULI Los Angeles Housing Council and its mandate of informing and educating housing industry leaders on housing development solutions and best practices, and also sits as a Board Member on the Westside Urban Forum, activating its mission to bring together forward-thinking housing development stakeholders to improve the urban environment.

In his new role, Christopher will further strengthen AXIS’ growing portfolio of multi-family and affordable housing work, and will support the firm’s continued commitment to advancing high-quality residential design and housing opportunities across Southern California and the Los Angeles region.

Welcome Christopher!

This article was included in the Winter 2026 edition of The Praxis newsletter.

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AXIS Architecture + Design, the noted and award-winning West Coast hospitality design, hotel renovation, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm, is proud to celebrate the completion of their latest luxury hotel renovation project: the 1 Hotel Seattle.  Serving as both Design Architect and Architect of Record on the project in coordination with interior designers Studio Collective, the 1 Hotel Seattle represents AXIS’ latest addition to the firm’s already-extensive luxury hotel design and hotel renovation portfolios, and marks AXIS’ growing reputation for hospitality architectural design in the Pacific Northwest.

A significant lifestyle luxury hotel brand conversion delivering an ambitious nature-driven design

Culminating an 18-month project which saw AXIS lead the architectural design and repositioning of the former Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, 1 Hotel Seattle officially welcomed its first guests earlier this summer.  Key to AXIS’ success with the hotel brand conversion was activating 1 Hotel’s sustainable lifestyle luxury brand, and in doing so, creating a modern, sophisticated, and luxurious urban retreat unmistakably and authentically inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s iconic coastal rainforest landscapes and rugged mountain backdrop.

The newly designed entrance to the 1 Hotel Seattle, architecturally designed by Seattle hotel architects AXIS Architecture + Design. Reclaimed tree bark, among other organic elements, contribute to the one-of-a-kind biophilic design.

AXIS’ nature-inspired design program is immediately communicated as guests approach the hotel’s updated entrance.  Defining the arrival experience, the previous hotel’s steel and glass canopy has been completely transformed by way of ingeniously applied rough-hewn wood cladding – an architectural feature that not only envelopes guests with organic materials and textures from their first step onto the property, but which also seamlessly serves as anchoring for lush greenery and biophilic design elements that festoon the entrance with the mossy hues of local indigenous plants.  Framed within manufactured wood cladding styled as tree bark, massive adz-cut red cedar doors reminiscent of the wood workings of the ancestral Duwamish Tribe longhouses that once dotted Puget Sound invite guests to the hotel’s interior.

Stepping into the hotel’s completely reconceptualized lobby and public spaces, AXIS’ nature-inspired design is unabashedly activated.  Wood – both live edge and rough-hewn, with much of it sustainably reclaimed – defines every glance.  Overhead, massive Douglas Fir beams create a lodge-like atmosphere, while on walls and other vertical surfaces wood cladding with modern styling subtly underscore 1 Hotel’s sophisticated, modern, and sustainability-focused brand aesthetic.  Framed within a massive two-story living feature wall composed of lush moss and local greenery, a bespoke driftwood sculpture by local artist Alison Stigora creates an anchor within the space.

The renovated lobby of the 1 Hotel Seattle, featuring its two-story living moss wall – a luxury hotel renovation architecturally designed by Seattle architects AXIS Architecture + Design.

Elsewhere throughout the ground floor public spaces, AXIS’ design continues to connect the 1 Hotel Seattle to its Pacific Northwest place and history.  At the hotel’s lobby-level café-come-cocktail lounge Drift, a massive one-piece live edge bar bookends an inviting fireplace on the opposite wall, while biophilic touches suspended from wooden ceiling-spanning beams blur the boundary between the interior lounge space and the new year-round fire-warmed al fresco dining area.  Polishing the public space design, textiles featuring subtle woven patterns authentic to the surrounding Coast Salish Tribes and art curated in collaboration with local galleries complete the spaces.

In the hotel’s 108 guestrooms and 45 suites, AXIS’ Pacific Northwest-inspired design program is activated with equal sophistication.  Built-in headboards and millwork manufactured from reclaimed wood with live edge finishes imbue the private spaces with serene organic sanctuary.  In guest bathrooms, exposed aggregate floors meet bathtubs finished with vertical wood panels to evoke a “glamping” aesthetic reminiscent of luxurious outdoor spas.

The undeniably nature-inspired La Loba Restaurant at the renovated 1 Hotel Seattle, a luxury hotel renovation by Seattle architects AXIS Architecture + Design.

A king guest suite at the renovated 1 Hotel Seattle, architecturally designed by AXIS Architecture + Design out of Seattle.

AXIS’ renovation of 1 Hotel Seattle an architecturally complex hotel brand conversion

More than simply an expert activation of 1 Hotel’s modern, luxurious, and sustainability-driven brand aesthetic, AXIS’ delivery of the new Seattle lifestyle hotel was an architecturally complex project otherwise.  To deliver the hotel’s updated wood-clad entrance canopy, AXIS’ architectural designers expertly revised the design of the awning to receive a building code modification.  To create the hotel’s destination second-floor restaurant La Loba, AXIS’ architectural designers converted a former gallery and modified the space’s floorplan to reconfigure curved walls to maximize the owner’s revenue generating potential.  Adding to the guest experience, the former hotel’s fitness center – which was previously located outside of the hotel – was moved within the building to a previously underutilized meeting room.

Beyond ingenious architectural design, AXIS has helped the hotel target LEED Silver certification, and was able to counsel the project’s demolition phase to divert more than 70% of the renovation’s construction waste from landfills.

Visit AXIS’ blog for complete project imagery, and for additional details of AXIS’ design program for the 1 Hotel Seattle luxury lifestyle hotel brand conversion: https://axisarchitecture.com/our-projects/1-hotel-seattle-luxury-hotel-renovation/

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AXIS Architecture + Design, the noted and award-winning West Coast hospitality design, hotel renovation, multi-family residential design, and affordable housing architectural design firm, is pleased to celebrate the grand opening of their latest new-build hospitality design project: the AC Hotel Pasadena.  Serving as Architect of Record on the project in coordination with design architects WATG, the AC Hotel Pasadena represents AXIS’ sixth completed AC Hotel project, and marks the latest addition to AXIS’ extensive ground-up hotel design portfolio.

A development on behalf of Welcome Group Inc., AXIS was commissioned to design the first branded hotel to operate in Pasadena’s iconic Playhouse Village arts district.  Meeting the challenge, AXIS delivered a design that balances the neighborhood’s historical and artsy surroundings with AC Hotels’ modern and contemporary brand aesthetic.  A ground-up construction rising from a former parking lot, the six-story AC Hotel Pasadena delivers 194 rooms across 110,000 sf of hospitality, dining, and retail space, and introduces a new select service destination that ambitiously positions itself amongst Pasadena’s finest upscale hotels.

The exterior of the AC Hotel Pasadena, a new-build hotel designed by California hotel architects AXIS Architecture + Design.

Viewed from the street, AXIS’ contemporary and European-inspired design program is immediately appreciated.  Extending from the sidewalk to the roofline, the hotel is elegantly framed by balconies and outdoor entertaining spaces on each of the building’s vertices – a design feature that not only defines the extent of the hotel along the streetscape, but one that also starts to hint at the easy-living French Riviera inspiration behind AXIS’ design.  Along the roofline, gradually angled parapets create forced perspective and emphasized scale to the façade, while a fenestration program featuring massive multi-story windows along the top floor add to the effect.  Maximizing the hotel’s interface with the bustling sidewalk, AXIS’ site plan ingeniously tucks the driveway and entrance behind the building, both maximizing the lot’s functional space while at the same time creating a sheltered arrival experience for hotel guests.  Polishing the exterior design, dynamic Trespa paneling set above old-world brick cladding perfectly blends contemporary aesthetics with local Southern Californian ambiance.

The rooftop bar at the AC Hotel Pasadena, a new-build select service hotel designed by California hotel architect AXIS Architecture + Design.

More than simply creating the newest select service hotel in downtown Pasadena, AXIS’ design of the AC Hotel Pasadena also creates a new commercial and entertainment destination in the city.  Along the hotel’s streetfront, AXIS included over 5,000 sf of leasable retail space to the site plan, effectively creating opportunities for the addition of new commercial anchors along the block.  Serving the neighborhood’s burgeoning dining scene, the hotel includes 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.

Within the interior spaces, AXIS worked closely with Denver-based hospitality interior design experts Wild Muse to execute The Welcome Group’s vision.  Featuring a design that is elegantly modern and in harmony with AC Hotels’ contemporary European aesthetic, AXIS’ design of the lobby creates an austere, open, and bright space.  On the ground floor, streetfront windows appear to recede into infinity framed within recessed alcoves in the ceiling, while 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.

“Given the challenges in the current market, 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 accomplishing that is a testament to the determination of our clients at The Welcome Group, as well as the collective efforts of the team.”  The AXIS team was led by the firm’s Los Angeles office’s Founding Principal Architect Gene Fong, with Kevin Sund serving as the principal in charge.  AXIS Senior Associate Stephanie Park served as project manager, with Associate Jacob Lick serving as job captain.

AXIS thanks R.D. Olson for their construction and general contracting expertise on the project.  AXIS also thanks Saiful Bouquet for their engineering capabilities.

Visit AXIS Architecture + Design’s online hospitality portfolio for additional imagery of the AC Hotel Pasadena, and for an expanded description of AXIS’ design program for the property: https://axisarchitecture.com/our-projects/ac-hotels-pasadena-california/.

The post The AC Hotel Pasadena, Designed by AXIS Architecture + Design, Officially Opens appeared first on AXIS Architecture.

With a career that includes 25 years of architectural design experience, including a combined 14 years with AXIS and our Seattle office prior to its amalgamation with AXIS, Andrew is recognized as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most practiced and knowledgeable multi-family residential architectural designers.  Internally to the firm, Andrew is additionally appreciated as one of the team’s most talented and agile project managers, bringing to AXIS a unique appreciation for what makes a project successful by way of his significant client-side Owner’s Representative experience prior to joining our Seattle office.

As one of his first mandates as Principal, Andrew will co-lead the continued growth of AXIS’ multi-family residential design practice, with particular focus on further establishing AXIS’ position as West Coast leaders in affordable housing community design.  “In this new role, I look forward to continuing to develop AXIS’ reputation as experts in designing appealing, safe, secure, modern, and efficient homes – for everyone,” states Andrew Kluess, shortly after his appointment as Principal.

Andrew joins Founding Principal Architect Radim Blazej leading our Seattle office. In his new role, Andrew will continue to operate as one of the company’s multi-family residential design experts, overseeing projects across the firm and along the entire West Coast.

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In case you missed it, our release this week announcing our acquisition of Seattle’s Caron Architecture was featured in Pacific Northwest real estate and AEC media The Registry. Read their article below:

https://news.theregistryps.com/axis-gfa-architecture-design-acquires-seattles-caron-architecture/

Effective January 1, 2023, the agreement will see Caron Architecture rebrand and become AXIS’ new Seattle studio.  The acquisition is the latest milestone in AXIS’ ongoing growth and expansion along the West Coast, and further positions the firm as one of the most widely-practiced hotel and multi-family residential architectural design firms in the Western United States.

For additional information about our new partnership, and for our full release, visit our blog:

https://axisgfa.com/blog/axis-gfa-acquires-seattles-caron-architecture/

The post AXIS Acquisition of Caron Architecture Featured In The Registry appeared first on AXIS Architecture.

AXIS proudly announces today its acquisition of Seattle-based Caron Architecture.  Effective January 1, 2023, the agreement will see Caron Architecture rebrand and become AXIS’ new Seattle studio.  The acquisition is the latest milestone in AXIS’ ongoing growth and expansion along the West Coast, and further positions the firm as one of the most widely-practiced hotel and multi-family residential architectural design firms in the Western United States.

Acquisition creates a new Pacific Northwest studio for AXIS

The integration of Caron to the AXIS brand extends AXIS’ reach into the Pacific Northwest.  With existing AXIS studios in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and with satellite offices in Las Vegas, Hawaii and Boston, the acquisition of Caron’s Seattle studio effectively positions AXIS to now service clients across the entire Western United States and Hawaii.

AXIS to gain additional multi-family residential design expertise

In addition to increasing the firm’s geographic reach, the acquisition leverages Caron’s noted multi-family residential design expertise, supplementing the capabilities of AXIS’ well-established and award-winning hospitality and multi-family design practices.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” states AXIS Founding Principal Architect and CEO Cory Creath.  “Caron complements AXIS’ strategic plans in a number of ways.  Considering their core expertise, adding their studio to our firm increases the capabilities and competitiveness of our multi-family residential practice.  Given their location, Caron immediately adds an established presence for AXIS in the Pacific Northwest,” Creath continued.

A shared focus on client success through trusted relationships

In addition to enjoying complementary strengths by way of their practice expertise, AXIS and Caron also enrich each other through their shared belief in client success through trusted relationships.

“I’ve always been proud of how Caron distinguished ourselves by striving to be our clients’ greatest advocate,” states Radim Blazej, Founding Principal Architect at Caron Architecture.  “Seeing now how AXIS embraces a similar culture as ours, I’m confident this partnership is set for success.”

Radim Blazej will continue to lead the team in Seattle as AXIS’ new Principal and local Studio Director.

Caron’s rebrand as an AXIS studio is anticipated to complete through early 2023; watch both firms’ blogs and social channels for those upcoming announcements.

For media inquiries and industry partner comments and questions, contact Cory Creath, Founding Principal Architect and CEO: ccreath@axisgfa.com; (415) 371-1400.

Download the full press release here.

About AXIS Architecture + Design

Founded in 2001, AXIS Architecture + Design (www.axisgfa.com) is an award-winning full-service international architecture and design firm with studios in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, and satellite offices in Las Vegas, Boston and Hawaii.  Although an all-industry firm, AXIS Architecture + Design offers particular expertise in hospitality design, hotel architecture, hospitality facility renovations, and multi-family residential architectural design.

About Caron Architecture

Based in Seattle, Caron is a full-service architecture firm that provides simple and elegant designs for a wide variety of national and international clients. Founded in 2002, Caron offers particular expertise in multi-family residential, hotel, and mixed-use/commercial architectural design, as well as pre-development and master planning technical services.

The post AXIS Acquires Seattle’s Caron Architecture appeared first on AXIS Architecture.

Contact: Cory Creath, Founding Principal
Telephone: 415-371-1400
E-mail:  ccreath@axisgfa.com

Kevin Sund Joins AXIS Architecture + Design’s Team of Principals

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 23, 2021) – AXIS Architecture + Design, the California-based award-winning hospitality and multi-family architectural design firm, is excited to announce the promotion of long-standing team member Kevin Sund to the position of Principal. Kevin now joins Principal Architects Cory Creath, Shawn Alexander, Gene Fong, and Rory Carroll as firm partners.

Joining the firm in 2008, and bringing over 18 years of professional experience to the team, Kevin is one of the senior leaders at AXIS’ Los Angeles studio. Recognized as a natural leader, and noted as one of the firm’s foremost technical experts, Kevin was instrumental in spearheading the development of AXIS’ standards, and is a key member of the firm’s Revit development team. Combining his technical knowledge with a unique understanding of inspiring design, Kevin’s capabilities are complemented by his signature calming and reassuring management style.

“Kevin embodies the values of the firm, including making those he works with better,” states Cory Creath, AXIS Founding Principal. “Kevin is all about raising the bar. AXIS is stronger today with Kevin joining the principal ranks, and I can confidently say that AXIS’ future is in excellent hands.”

About AXIS Architecture + Design:

AXIS Architecture + Design (www.axisgfa.com) is an award-winning full-service international architecture and design firm with studios in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and satellite offices in Las Vegas, Boston and Hawaii.  Although an all-industry firm, AXIS Architecture + Design offers particular expertise in hospitality design, hotel architecture, hospitality facility renovations, and multi-family residential architectural design.

Kevin Sund Headshot

Kevin Sund in AXIS’ Los Angeles studio

This news originally appeared in the March-April 2021 edition of The Praxis.

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