The Kor Group, a Los Angeles-based real estate firm, has announced the start of construction for a luxury lifestyle hotel in Downtown Santa Monica. The Santa Monica Proper, which is being developed in partnership with landowner Alex Gorby and the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs, will feature 271 guest rooms at 7th Street and Wilshire Boulevard, just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Kor’s project includes the renovation of a 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival building along Wilshire, as well as the construction of an adjacent building that blends with the historic architecture. In addition to the guest rooms, the buildings would also feature, 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, 8event space, a rooftop lounge and a swimming pool The hotel, which is being designed by Howard Laks Architects, is expected by late 2018 or early 2019. The project is the third Southern California hotel for Proper Hospitality, which also has a location in Hollywood and an upcoming development in Downtown Los Angeles.