Hospitality Design magazine is honored to announce its 2020 Hotelier of the Year and Designer of the Year accolades as part of the 16th annual HD Awards. As we continue to navigate a new reality amid COVID-19’s impact, this year’s awards ceremony provides an opportunity to honor, celebrate, and recognize the amazing work achieved by the people who continue to make the hospitality industry great.
Brian De Lowe, Brad Korzen, and Alex Samek, founders of Proper Hospitality, have been recognized as HD’s Hotelier of the Year. The forward-thinking hotel company has catapulted onto the scene with a handful of eye-catching hotel projects, including properties in San Francisco, Austin, and Santa Monica, all designed with an elevated and eclectic style by Kelly Wearstler. This year, it also launched Proper’s affordable lifestyle-driven sibling, the Hotel June in Los Angeles, featuring a laidback design from local firm Studio Collective. With its growing portfolio, Proper’s approach to the lifestyle-meets-luxury segment is helping reimagine hospitality via an accessible yet refined lens.
The Designer of the Year distinction is bestowed upon London- and Hong Kong-based Joyce Wang, whose immersive, thought-provoking vision has led her to become one of the most sought-after designers in the industry. With projects including the spa and wellness component at the flagship Equinox Hudson Yards in New York, the exclusive Equinox, St. James in London, and myriad restaurants, including Kyubi, the Arts Club in London and Mott 32 in Las Vegas, Wang continues to impress with her distinctive design eye. In the latest episode of HD’s “What I’ve Learned” podcast, Wang discusses her career path, inspirations, and more.
This year’s Project and Product winners will be announced on October 22nd in a virtual ceremony. Check back to hospitaitydesign.com for more details.
