Atelier Ace, the creative crew behind Ace Hotel, has announced their first foray into Central America with the new American Trade Hotel in the historic district of Casco Viejo, opening this year. It’s not an Ace Hotel, but it is a new member of their family.

As a luxury hotel, it’s a new territory for the creative team – distinguished from Ace Hotel by its loyalty to classic lines, traditional service and loyal interpretations of luxury heritage hospitality. The company has gathered Commune Design – the team that helped create Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs – and Panama City-based Conservatorio, lauded for its ongoing commitment to the revitalization of Casco Viejo and preservation of its architectural heritage.

American Trade Hotel stands at the ecological and cultural handshake of the Americas, deeply connected to both the historic Old Quarter and the nascent new Panama City, and at the heart of Casco Viejo — the old quarter of Panama City founded in 1673. The building is nearly 100 years old – a constellation of stately lines and graphic elements, grand old windows and incredible views of the old city and the Gulf of Panama. In addition to luxury guest rooms and service, the hotel features a jazz club curated by Panama-born jazz pianist and composer Danilo Pérez, as well as a ballroom, café, plaza-front restaurant and pool. And beyond the front doors, there is some of the most mind-bogglingly beautiful eco-diversity in the world.

The new property is scheduled for opening late autumn 2013, and accepting reservations now for as early as January 1, 2014.

Ace Hotel, www.acehotel.com