Inside Hotel Lucile: Silver Lake’s 1931 Church Reborn as a Boutique Sanctuary & French Dining Nave

At the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and Lucile Avenue in Silver Lake, a 1931 Romanesque Revival sanctuary has quietly undergone one of the most anticipated architectural reinventions in Los Angeles. Originally built as the Bethany Presbyterian Church, the historic limestone structure is re-emerging as Hotel Lucile—a 25-room boutique retreat anchored by Sous Sous, an intimate culinary and cocktail haven carved directly beneath the church’s soaring arches.

The Sanctuary: 1931 Limestone to Boutique Retreat

Designed in 1931, the original sanctuary stood for nearly a century as an anchor for Silver Lake’s community life. Rather than gutting the historic integrity, the adaptive reuse project preserves the monumental Romanesque arched windows, exposed timber rafters, and textured masonry walls. The 25 guestrooms have been thoughtfully configured around the former chapel and parsonage, blending natural linen, warm terracotta tones, and custom millwork with the original structural character.

Sous Sous: Coastal French Dining Under The Arches

At ground level, Sous Sous serves as the social epicenter for both hotel guests and neighborhood locals. Drawing inspiration from Mediterranean coastal bistros and Parisian all-day cafés, the kitchen emphasizes wood-fired seafood, raw bar selections, market-driven vegetables, and an aperitivo program centered on low-intervention natural wines and amari.

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