Visit West Hollywood highlights the city's design legacy as 'Design West Hollywood' returns
A three-day celebration underscores West Hollywood's year-round role as a global destination for design, architecture and creative culture.
19 August 2026: West Hollywood has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s leading creative capitals, where fashion, architecture, interiors, hospitality and art converge to shape a destination defined by design. From iconic Modernist landmarks and globally recognised showrooms to style-setting hotels, galleries and culture-filled streets, design is woven into West Hollywood’s DNA. For travellers chasing inspiration, West Hollywood hotels offer a front-row pass to the ideas, spaces and creative minds shaping global trends.
That creative spirit takes centre stage later this year as Design West Hollywood returns to the West Hollywood Design District from September 29 - October 1, 2026. Centered on this year's "Magical Thinking" theme, the program brings together internationally acclaimed designers, architects, artists, tastemakers and emerging creatives for thought-provoking conversations, exhibitions and exclusive events across the West Hollywood Design District.
"Design is woven into the fabric of West Hollywood, from our architecture and hospitality to our retail, dining and public spaces," said Jeff Morris, CMO of Visit West Hollywood, the official destination sponsor of Design West Hollywood 2026. "Visit West Hollywood is proud to align with the West Hollywood Design District’s Design West Hollywood program, celebrating the creative spirit that has long been one of West Hollywood’s most significant exports, while inviting visitors to come and experience the people and places that make West Hollywood one of the world's leading design destinations."
Beyond Design West Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood continues to serve as a must-see international destination for design any time of the year with architecturally distinct hotels, design-forward and culinary-leading restaurants, cocktail bars and lounges. Together, these experiences have established West Hollywood as Southern California's most dynamic creative community.
The neighbourhood shaping West Hollywood style
The West Hollywood Design District is where the creative industry comes to browse, buy and be inspired. Home to more than 250 luxury showrooms, fashion boutiques, galleries and public art installations, it's a neighbourhood where visitors can step inside the same spaces frequented by architects, interior designers and stylists from around the world.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Pacific Design Center. Designed by César Pelli, the striking landmark whose iconic blue, green and red buildings have become symbols of West Hollywood's creative identity. Its buildings remain a landmark for architects, interior designers and creatives from around the world, hosting leading design showrooms, exhibitions and industry events throughout the year.
Melrose Avenue remains one of Los Angeles' most iconic shopping destinations, blending streetwear, contemporary fashion, lifestyle brands and design-led retail. Alongside long-standing favourites, a new generation of labels is bringing fresh energy to the neighbourhood, including Aimé Leon Dore, known for its refined aesthetic and stylish courtyard café, and Sporty&Rich, which combines fashion, wellness and hospitality through its new café concept. Visitors can also explore Madhappy, the Los Angeles-founded lifestyle brand recognised for its optimistic messaging and elevated casualwear, alongside independent boutiques, luxury labels and creative spaces that capture the city’s effortlessly cool style.
Explore More retail ideas with the West Hollywood Ultimate Shopping Guide.
Sleep in style: design-led hotels
West Hollywood's hotels are destinations in themselves, where architecture, interiors and art are integral to the guest experience. Across the city, hotels continue to blur the line between hospitality and gallery, showcasing bespoke interiors, commissioned artworks and distinctive architectural design.
1 Hotel West Hollywood combines biophilic design, integrating nature into the built environment through natural light, living plants and organic materials to create an immersive sanctuary focused on sustainability and wellbeing. A standout design feature includes the striking Dreamcatcher artwork, crafted from reclaimed materials and suspended by the lobby as a symbol of connection, nature and renewal.
Kimpton La Peer's interiors were conceived by designer and architect Gulla Jónsdóttir. From its leather-clad walls and white oak flooring to bespoke furniture, hand-painted murals and a dramatic lobby, La Peer reflects Jónsdóttir's distinctive approach to creating immersive spaces where art and design are central to the guest experience.
Design and fashion intersect at The London West Hollywood, where contemporary interiors meet British-inspired style. The hotel’s signature penthouse, designed in collaboration with the late fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, features custom furnishings, distinctive artwork and her unmistakable creative influence.
A hidden boutique hotel gem, Petit Ermitage blends bohemian design features with European-inspired charm, featuring hand-selected antiques, original artwork, rich textiles and eclectic furnishings that create the feel of a private artist’s residence. The rooftop garden with fire pit and city view lends to the distinctive creative atmosphere.
Set within a restored 1940s building, Soho House Holloway celebrates Los Angeles’ mid-century modern heritage with warm timber, vintage furnishings, and an impressive art collection that brings together a collection of artists all of whom are age 40 or under and local to L.A.
Celebrating the city's legendary music scene, Hotel Ziggy delivers playful interiors inspired by rock-and-roll culture. Bold colours, original artwork and live music experiences make it one of the city's most distinctive boutique stays with an eclectic creative energy.
Opening on September 16, PUBLIC Hotel West Hollywood will bring Ian Schrager’s signature design-led approach again to the Sunset Strip, with a focus on contemporary interiors, social spaces and a creative, community-driven atmosphere. The new hotel will add another distinctive architectural and design presence to West Hollywood’s evolving hospitality landscape.
Explore architectural icons on foot
With the highest Walk Score in California, West Hollywood rewards travellers who slow down and explore its architectural gems on foot.
Golden Era Architecture Tours run regularly for design buffs. Explore West Hollywood’s history, culture and architecture on your own time with one of the city’s free self-guided walking tours, revealing the city's remarkable collection of Modernist homes, historic apartment buildings and architectural landmarks.
MAK Center for Art and Architecture is housed within the legendary Schindler House, and is one of the city's architectural treasures offering a glimpse into the work of architect R.M. Schindler. Visitors can explore one of America’s most influential early Modernist homes alongside contemporary exhibitions connecting architecture, art and design. Downloading the centre's digital guide before visiting provides a self-guided experience through the site.
Lloyd Wright Studio-Residence was designed in 1927 by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd Wright, and later restored by his grandson Eric Wright, the property showcases Wright's organic architectural style through sculptural concrete blocks, geometric forms and its distinctive interlocking Joshua tree motif.
Fans of Selling Sunset can also stop by the Oppenheim Group on Sunset Boulevard, instantly recognisable from the hit Netflix series and a popular photo stop for visitors wanting a glimpse into West Hollywood's luxury real estate scene.
Gallery hop
The Leica Gallery is an intimate gallery celebrating visual storytelling through exhibitions by renowned and emerging photographers that explore art, culture and the legacy of the iconic camera brand.
M+B Gallery presents an ever-evolving program of emerging and established contemporary artists, offering visitors an opportunity to discover new creative talent across painting, photography and mixed media.
ONE Gallery showcases LGBTQ+ history, culture and creativity through thought-provoking exhibitions. Operated by One Institute, home to one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ archives, the gallery provides meaningful insight into West Hollywood’s cultural identity, activism and enduring creative legacy.
Phillips brings its international reputation for modern and contemporary art to West Hollywood, presenting exhibitions and sales of works by leading 20th- and 21st-century artists. Its presence adds a major auction-house perspective to the city's vibrant gallery scene.
Louis Stern Fine Arts offers a more intimate exploration of modern and contemporary art, with a particular focus on American and European artists.
Hauser & Wirth is housed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style space - a nod to Hollywood’s Golden Age. The gallery presents exhibitions by internationally recognised artists alongside talks, events and cultural programming, making it a destination for experiencing art beyond the traditional.
Creators of West Hollywood: an insider's guide
West Hollywood's influence extends far beyond its buildings. The city's designers, artists and tastemakers continue to shape global conversations around interiors, fashion and lifestyle. Gain an insider's perspective through Visit West Hollywood's collection of creator interviews and podcasts featuring celebrated interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, acclaimed architect Gulla Jónsdóttir, entrepreneur Mary Ta and designer Adair Curtis. Their insider stories offer a deeper understanding of the neighbourhoods, creative spaces and hidden gems that continue to inspire some of the industry's leading names.
For more on ‘The Creators of West Hollywood’ series: visitwesthollywood.com/creators
For more on West Hollywood: VisitWestHollywood.com
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ENDS
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