BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Architecture is an art form that brings blueprints to life, and few architects have captured the Los Angeles landscape better than Paul R. Williams.

So much so, author Stephen Gee jumped at a chance to visit a home designed by Williams for actor Lon Chaney over 90 years ago. Stepping in, Gee can feel Williams' influence throughout the two-story, Italian Revival-style mansion.

What You Need To Know

  • Paul R. Williams designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Lon Chaney

  • Williams worked for L.A. architect John C. Austin from 1921 through 1924 and eventually established his own office

  • Williams became the first Black member to be inducted into the AIA's College of Fellows in 1957

  • The documentary Hollywood's Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story aired on PBS in February 2020

"Williams always said that, 'If I give a client what he wants or what they want, I’m a good architect,'" said Gee while observing the dining room. "This room is really an example of that because Williams designed a room that’s very classy. It’s very secluded."

The first Black-American architect to be inducted into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, Williams has designed over 2,000 homes. Known as the "architect to the stars," his clients included Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Tyrone Power. But it’s Williams’ innate talent in designing beautiful homes that attracted Gee to study his work.

"First thing you always look for when you come inside a Williams house is, what’s the staircase like, because it never disappoints you," said Gee.

Resident Jolie Jashni grew up in the Lon Chaney house as a child, and when she found out the house was on the market 10 years ago, Jashni and her husband bought it with the intention of restoring it back to its Williams' original vision.

“My husband and I are so proud every day that we have saved this house,” said Jashni. “We are incredibly sentimental people who want to take history and honor it today, so that other people can enjoy it in the future.”

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Jashni's home is featured in Gee's new book Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940, published by Angel City Press and Tailwater Press. After writing books about City Hall, Union Station, and architect John Parkinson, Gee explained how writing about Paul R. Williams made him realize L.A. is simply a collection of outsiders and the reason why it’s so fun to live here.

“Williams embraced the California lifestyle,” said Gee. “He knew that life in a house like this happened in the back. He knew how to harmonize outdoor and indoor spaces and this is really a beautiful example of that.”