In today’s Wandering Zen we explore the work of the inspirational architect, Paul R. Williams.  His moniker of “Architect to the Stars” was well deserved, but his other creations helped form the feeling and vision of his time.  And, oh, he was also the first African American member (and later, Fellow) of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), as well as a civic leader.  Let’s dive into his expansive resume…

A native Angeleno, Paul Williams was born in 1894 and orphaned at the age of 4.  He was driven and as he grew up his passion for architecture became his focus.  It wasn’t an easy road and he was often told that he couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to make it in a field that was comprised nearly entirely of white men.  He persisted and landed internships right out of high school, took classes at the Los Angeles Beaux-Arts School and attended USC’s School of Engineering.

Knowing the racial challenges that he faced, Paul would often submit work in design contests knowing that he would be judged by his creations as opposed to the color of his skin (and often won).  He began to gain recognition.  He was appointed to the first LA City Planning Commission in 1920 and in 1921 became a certified architect.  He opened his own practice in 1923.

He was a well-spoken and charismatic man and was easily able to make himself at home in the social circles of Los Angeles and soon found himself designing for some of the biggest names in Hollywood of the day.  He had a knack for being able to truly listen to his clients and create designs that matched and exceeded their dream homes.  Paul was also keenly aware of the racial drawbacks and even learned to draw upside down so that he could sit across the table from his clients so as not to make it uncomfortable should they not want to sit next to an African American.

In total, he designed over 3,000 buildings during his career, with over 2,000 of them being in the Los Angeles area.  The list of buildings he designed or renovated is quite impressive and includes Los Angeles County Courthouse, the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building, Hillside Memorial Park, Westwood Medical Center, and First AME Church.  He was a part of the design team that brought us LAX and its classic Theme Restaurant.  He renovated the Ambassador Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel (The signature script of the name is actually his handwriting), The Beverly Wilshire,  The Knickerbocker Hotel and 2 of the hottest spots in old Hollywood – Chasen’s and Perino’s.  His celebrity clients included; Lon Chaney Jr., Lucile Ball & Desi Arnez,  Jennifer jones, Bert Lahr, Tyrone Power, Johnny Weissmuller, and Frank Sinatra.

In Las Vegas, he created the Guardian Angel Cathedral, which still stands near the Wynn on the Strip and he designed the iconic La Concha Motel, the lobby building was relocated and now serves as the entrance and gift shop for the Neon Museum.

Paul Williams didn’t just work with the rich and powerful, he also planned and developed many affordable housing tracts throughout his career.  He was also tapped by Danny Thomas to design some of the first buildings for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

He retired in 1973 and passed away in 1980.  His service was held at the First AME Church that he designed and was honored by many, including a eulogy by Danny Thomas.  He was recognized over the years with many of the industry’s top honors, including the AIA Award of Merit, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, and USC’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1957, he became the first African American to become an AIA Fellow. Williams was posthumously awarded the AIA’s 2017 Gold Medal, America’s highest honor for an architect. Williams is the first African American to receive the AIA Gold Medal.

He broke ground along with barriers and will go down in history as one of the world’s architectural greats.

Here are a few links to some of his work that will give you further insight into the style and techniques that made him one of the most sought-after architects of his time:

• The Paul Williams Project – Gallery of Designs
• Katherine B. Flint Residence, La Canada Flintridge, CA
• Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, Los Angeles, CA
• Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA – 1941 renovations
• Arrowhead Springs Hotel, Arrowhead Springs, CA – 1941
• Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA – 1940’s renovations
• Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, CA – 1949 renovations
• Knickerbocker Hotel, Hollywood, CA
• Saks Fifth Avenue Store, Beverly Hills, CA
• Chasen’s restaurant, West Hollywood, CA
• Perino’s Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA
• First AME Church, Los Angeles, CA
• Los Angeles International Airport  – 1961
• Marina del Rey Junior High School
• US Post Office, Ontario, CA
• Casa Palmeras Apartment Hotel, Palm Springs, CA
• El Mirador Hotel, Palm Springs, CA – 1952
• Lon Chaney, Sr., Residence, Beverly Hills
• Ball-Arnaz Residence, Palm Springs, CA
• Jennifer Jones Residence, Los Angeles, CA
• Bert Lahr Residence, Beverly Hills, CA
• Tyrone Power Residence, Los Angeles, CA
• Frank Sinatra Residence, Bowmont Drive, Trousdale Estates
• Johnny Weissmuller Residence/Nicolosi Estate, Los Angeles, CA
• Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas, NV
• La Concha Motel, The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, NV
• SkyLift Magi-Cab, Las Vegas, Nevada
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
• Paul R. Williams Residence, Los Angeles, CA