News Summary
Los Angeles pays tribute to Paul R. Williams, a pioneering architect who designed homes for Hollywood stars. Known for his diverse architectural styles, Williams faced racial adversity yet left a lasting legacy. His contributions, including the Beverly Hills Hotel’s designs and community projects, are celebrated as integral to the architectural landscape and social progress in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is honoring the legacy of Paul R. Williams, an influential architect known as the “architect to the stars,” whose work shaped Hollywood and the broader architectural landscape in the United States. Williams was the first African American architect licensed to practice in the U.S. west of the Mississippi, and he designed homes and buildings for numerous Hollywood legends including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz.
Williams’s career highlights include membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), where he made history as the first Black member in 1923. His achievements continued as he was inducted as the AIA’s first Black Fellow in 1957 and was posthumously awarded the AIA’s prestigious Gold Medal in 2017. His extensive portfolio comprises over 2,000 buildings, showcasing various styles, including American Colonial, Spanish Mediterranean, English Tudor, and California Ranch.
Among his well-known works is the Crescent Wing addition at the Beverly Hills Hotel, completed in 1949, which incorporates modernist design elements. His influence was particularly notable in the redesign of the hotel’s Polo Lounge and the Fountain Coffee Room. Williams is credited with reimagining the hotel’s grand entrance and lobby as well as selecting its iconic pink and green color palette that remains associated with the hotel today.
Throughout his education and professional journey, Williams faced considerable racial discrimination, yet he continually displayed a commitment to excellence in his architectural designs. He developed innovative skills such as drawing upside down to connect more effectively with clients and to earn their trust.
Williams’s contributions extend to notable residential projects in areas like La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Hancock Park, and Bel Air. His work also included important community buildings, such as the Second Baptist Church and the 28th Street YMCA, which served the African American community in Los Angeles. He was active on multiple civic commissions, including the City Planning Commission of Los Angeles from 1920 to 1928, and collaborated with several U.S. presidents on housing initiatives.
In addition to his architectural work, Williams was a founding member and vice president of the Broadway Federal Savings and Loan, which is recognized as the oldest African American federal savings and loan institution west of the Mississippi. He is remembered not only for his architectural genius but also for his commitment to social progress and diversity within the profession.
Williams’s legacy is intricately linked to his family, particularly through his granddaughter, Karen Elyse Hudson, who has authored works detailing his life and accomplishments and has helped to preserve his extensive archive. In 2020, an important archive consisting of approximately 35,000 architectural plans and 10,000 original drawings, alongside other documents, was acquired by the Getty Research Institute and the University of Southern California.
Despite being overlooked in the years following his death in 1980, there has been a resurgence of interest in his groundbreaking contributions to architecture and civil rights. Williams significantly influenced the architectural landscape of Los Angeles, and his legacy continues to inspire discussions around diversity and representation in the field of architecture.
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Additional Resources
- Elle Decor: Paul Williams Estate for Sale
- Los Angeles Times: Paul R. Williams
- Fox Business: Gone with the Wind Stars’ Estate
- Culture Type: Paul R. Williams Gold Medal
- We Like LA: Illustrated Guide to Paul R. Williams Homes
- Wikipedia: Paul R. Williams
- Google Search: Paul R. Williams
- Google Scholar: Paul R. Williams
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Paul R. Williams
- Google News: Paul R. Williams
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
