July 12, 2011--Luxury is about to get a bit more luxurious.

Hotel Amarano broke ground last week on an addition that will add 32 more rooms and a pool to the 100-room, luxury boutique hotel in Burbank. Plans call for the existing fourth-floor fitness center to be relocated to the new wing, and that space converted into a 1,000-square-foot suite with its own spa and private terrace.

"We're really excited about this project, and we're looking forward to getting the new rooms built," said Tom Whelan, the hotel's general manager.

Hotel Amarano opened in 2002 as Hotel Graciela, catering to businesspeople and travelers who need or want to be near Burbank's studios and Hollywood's glamour.

Whelan would not disclose the price of the expansion, but said construction is expected to take eight to 10 months.

Although one or two current rooms may be out of commission from time to time, construction is not expected to affect guests to the point where they will notice.

"Construction is done during the day from 9 to 5 when our corporate guests are typically out working," Whelan said.

Located at 322 N. Pass Ave., the hotel also houses the Privato restaurant and Library Lounge, 2,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a spa overlooking the Hollywood Hills.

The smallest rooms at the hotel, 390-square-foot king or double rooms, cost upward of $200 per night. The suites, 645-square-foot spaces with a bedroom, kitchenette and

living room, are about $530 per night. The new ultra-luxury suite, which will make the hotel's current spa area its own, is expected to run $800 or more, though an exact price has yet to be set.

The wing is being designed by Rossi Architecture Inc., based in San Diego. Rossi has designed numerous popular getaways for Angelenos, including the Riviera Palm Springs Resort and Spa and Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego.

The firm was chosen for its history designing luxury hotels, Whelan said.

Since the project is an expansion of an existing hotel, Rossi will work within the current aesthetic, which includes clean, simple lines and accents of green light and color, said Steve Rossi, owner and principal architect of the firm. The work also includes enhanced landscaping, which means planting a variety of mature trees that accent the California landscape and use a conservative amount of water.

Rossi, a native of Tarzana, said he is excited to be part of the project, specifically to add the hotel's first pool and deck.

"This is a project that's going to be great for the community," he said. "Especially now, there will be a pool for people to throw cocktail parties and just relax."

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