Press and Awards
Los Angeles Conservancy: 2016 Preservation Award
The Los Angeles Conservancy included Hotel Normandie as one of the nine recipients of its 35th annual Preservation Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation. Award recipients range widely, from sensitive restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects, to groundbreaking advocacy and education efforts by individuals and groups.
"A dedicated owner rebuffed lucrative redevelopment bids for this historic hotel, essentially crowd sourcing a careful restoration and catalytic investment in the neighborhood."
The Commercial Observer: "The Accidental Hotelier"
The commercial observer interviews Jingbo Lou on how he stumbled upon success by investing in a forgotten and run down hotel and renovating it into LA's exciting new hotel.
"Coming off as a bit of an accidental hotelier, Mr. Lou fully launched the refurbished Hotel Normandie in January of 2015. Since then, the boutique hotel, which has never closed since its debut in 1926, has become enough of a success that booking last-minute reservations over the summer presented a challenge for spontaneous guests."
Los Angeles Times: "Hotel Normandie in L.A.'s Koreatown to get $5M makeover"
The LA Times recognizes The Hotel Normandie's rich history and Jingbo Lou's intention to restore it to fit into its diverse neighborhood once again.
"The inn's new owner plans to turn the 1928 building with a checkered past into a 100-room boutique hotel for travelers who want to stay in the middle of town."
Reach Further: “Burgers and Business – The Cross-Cultural Duo that Revived an American Classic”
Daisy Lin recognizes Jingbo Lou and Christian Page as an entrepreneurial partnership behind Cassell’s Hamburgers
“Since the restaurant reopened in late 2014, Cassell’s has topped many “best of” lists, and Majordomo Chef David Chang even voted for it on the “World’s 50 Best” restaurant list. 2018 was a big year, as they opened both the Downtown LA location with an expanded sandwich menu and a new location in LAX’s revamped Terminal 1. And if all goes well, Page says, they may open even more satellite locations in the future.”
Multi-Housing Pro Magazine: "A Gem Regains its Luster and a City Gains Apartments"
Morgan Adams is featured for its rich history as our team is interviewed on the restoration process and our expectations of its future.
"Residents will soon be able to experience these unique spaces for themselves as a building which has witnessed the modern history of Los Angeles enters a new phase of its life."
Discover LA: "The Story of an L.A. Icon"
Discover LA features Hotel Normandie and celebrates its' history, renovations, amenities, restaurants, and bars.
"Koreatown has become a historic, cultural and entertainment destination, marked by the revival of architectural icons like the Hotel Normandie"
Eater LA: "David Chang would put Cassell’s Hamburgers on the World’s 50 Best"
Eater LA features Cassell's Hamburgers on it's one of a kind Patty melts. David Chang, a fan of Koreatown in Los Angeles, says that the patty melt at Cassell’s Hamburgers would make it worthy of the World’s 50 Best restaurants.
LA Weekly:"Cassell’s Is Back — and Aims to Reclaim Its Title as L.A.'s Best Burger"
LA Weekly recognizes the history and the comeback of one of LA's best hamburgers
"Cassell's captures the nostalgia of everything good about a simple burger and milkshake — a tray of food that's as American as reinvention."
Modern Luxury:"Top 5 Fries in L.A."
Modern Luxury Los Angeles Magazine features Cassell's Hamburgers Kennebec potatoe fries as one of the top five in LA.
CBS News: "Vintage 1928 Koreatown Building Getting $5M Makeover"
CBS news interviews owner Jingbo Lou on the Hotel Normandie's renovation and covers a brief piece of history.
Los Angeles Magazine: "Award for Best Burger in Los Angeles Goes to…"
LA mag features Cassell's Hamburger's classic burger as the "Peoples Choice"
Curbed Los Angeles: "Hotel Normandie architect resuscitating beautiful old fur showroom with plans for a restaurant"
Curbed LA features the demolition and restoration of the once glamorous showroom owned by furrier Willard H. George located at Wilshire and Catalina.
LOW UPSIDE: "A Love Letter to Cassell’s Hamburgers"
Craig Horlbeck from Low Upside dedicates a love letter to Cassell’s Hamburgers’ past, present and future.
“There’s something in the air at Cassell’s Hamburgers”