Christopher C. Martin comes from a family of architects that has made a big impression in Los Angeles. His grandfather, Albert C. Martin, was one of the original architects of Los Angeles City Hall, a building his grandson stepped in to renovate after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Today, Christopher Martin is master architect for the biggest hotel project in downtown Los Angeles, the $1 billion mixed-use development on the site of the former Wilshire Grand Hotel.

When and how did you get started designing hotels?

My family has designed buildings, including hotels, in Los Angeles since 1906. L.A. architecture in many ways is the story of my family.

What do hoteliers look for in design today?

Developers and hoteliers are looking for something that stands out. It’s more than just innovative design, it’s location, quality and accessibility. In the case of the Wilshire Grand, we used what nature provides in California. It’s built around central access to entertainment, while embracing our climate and unique cultural identity in Los Angeles.

How do you design something with so many uses?

The Wilshire Grand is an extremely large project – 1.5 million square feet and more than 1,100 feet tall. With the centrality of the location, we wanted to make it appealing to businesses and tourists. By paying special attention to how we use technology and provide amenities that appeal to businesses and tourists, we are able to ensure that the building will have consistent occupancy for the owner.

From where do you draw your inspiration?

Interestingly, the inspiration (for the Wilshire Grand) is drawn from a visit that the owner, myself and David Martin – my cousin and the building designer – made to Yosemite Valley. The towering image of Half Dome Peak is at the heart of the design inspiration.

What’s the most challenging part of a hotel commission?

Creating a unique design of beauty, quality and timelessness, all within budget.

What is the most rewarding?

Building a 1,100-foot-tall building to begin with is no small task. However, when you add a four-star destination hotel on top of 18 floors of office space, seven floors of convention and meeting rooms, and retail – all over an 1,100-car parking garage – in a dense urban site, it becomes even more difficult. Finding solutions to these challenges is certainly the most rewarding aspect of this particular project.

What is your favorite hotel that you have not been part of?

My grandfather Albert C. Martin designed and built Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley in 1927. It’s an incredibly beautiful historic hotel in one of the most magnificent locations in the world.