March 29, 2024 Your Source for Brentwood News

Hunt Residence in Brentwood a Historic Monument

Hunt Residence
The Hunt Residence in Brentwood. (Image courtesy L.A. Conservancy)

A home built with the architectural style of “Traditional Ranch/Regency Revival” does not immediately jump out as worthy of designation as Historic-Cultural Monument. Yet, designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument is exactly what the Hunt Residence here in Brentwood earned on April 2, as the Los Angeles City Council unanimously recognized the landmark status of the home.

With the help of Councilmember Mike Bonin, the home currently owned by Robert Hanasab at 7 Oakmont Drive successfully applied for Historic-Cultural Monument designation to honor the architectural work of Paul Revere Williams, who was the first African American designer to become a fellow with the American Institute of Architects, or AIA.

Also known as the Hunt Residence, Hanasab’s home at 7 Oakmont Drive was built in 1940.

“The house is designed to maximize the site, create a relationship with existing mature trees on the lot and the topography, and create a clear connection between the exterior and the interior,” a City staff report stated, adding the structure of the residence “is in the Traditional Ranch style with extensive Regency Revival influences characteristic of Williams’ work at this time.”

According to City Hall, the Regency Revival architectural style is specifically unique to Los Angeles.

“[The Hunt Residence] successfully combines the irregular form and sprawling composition of the Traditional Ranch style with more formal decorative elements of the Regency Revival style, of which Williams was an acknowledged master. The Regency Revival style, also known as Hollywood Regency, is indigenous to Los Angeles,” a City staff report stated. “It is seen almost exclusively in the design of both single-family and multi-family residential architecture from about the mid-1930s until about 1970.”

City officials stated Williams was an “enthusiast” of the Regency Revival style, which was inspired by the architecture and design of the early 19th century in Britain.

“Like that original Regency style, the Regency Revival includes elements of Neo-Classical and French Empire design while its attenuated classical ornament and simple surfaces reflect the influence of the modern movement,” a City report stated.

First appearing in the Los Angeles area in the mid-1930s, City officials stated homes built with the Regency Revival styled were “a stripped-down version of the Neo-Classical revival that exhibited both the influence of the Moderne style and the simplified yet exaggerated qualities of Hollywood film sets.”

“Regency Revival buildings are characterized by theatrical arched entrances with an exaggerated vertical emphasis, usually positioned in projecting pavilions with high, steep roofs; symmetrical, largely blank primary façades; and, eccentrically detailed, unconventionally proportioned Classical columns and ornamentation juxtaposed against large expanses of blank wall,” City officials explained.

Specifically at the Hunt residence, the home’s revival elements “include the semicircular entrance portico, the east terrace with attenuated columns and decorative metal lattice-work, bow windows, and other Classical details on the interior and exterior.”

At the Hunt residence, the Regency Revival was fused with Traditional Ranch.

“[Traditional Ranch] combines indoor living spaces and outdoor garden spaces in a unified design,” a City staff report stated. “The Ranch House form can range from compact rectangular volumes with simple gabled or hip roofs, to splayed multi-winged houses that sprawl over a site. It often used an open floor plan that combined living room, dining room, and kitchen into one space.”

Williams had designed the home for Nelle Payton Hunt, a widow who, according to City Hall, “ was downsizing and wanted an easy, comfortable floor plan.”

The Hunt residence, City officials stated, was symbolic of an important stage of Williams’ career and represented his changing ideas of the Ranch House.

“The informality expresses new informal suburban lifestyles in Southern California,” a City staff report stated of the Hunt residence’s unique style combination.

Born in Los Angeles in 1884, Williams’ career began in 1915 and continued through his retirement in 1974. Williams was orphaned at the age of four and raised by a foster mother.

According to City Hall, Williams found an interest in architecture while taking a course on the subject matter at Polytechnic High School.

“He was advised by one of his teachers to rethink his choice of career, as white clients would not consider working with an African-American architect,” a City staff report stated.

Williams decided to continue into the field regardless, studying at the Los Angeles School of Art and Design, the Los Angeles branch of the New York Beaux Arts Institute of Design, and the University of Southern California.

In 1915, before enrolling at USC, Williams reportedly registered as a building designer. Soon thereafter, he reportedly commenced working with speculative developers and executing designs.

Six years later, Williams reportedly became the first licensed African American architect west of the Mississippi River. By 1923, Williams was the first African American to become a member of the AIA.

City officials stated Williams’ work became popular with celebrities and socialites who were moving into Brentwood and surrounding communities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Williams reportedly designed homes for Lucille Ball, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and Frank Sinatra, among others.

Locally, Williams reportedly designed between 50 and 60 homes in Brentwood and Westwood.

Beyond Hollywood and the Westside, Williams also gave back to the African American community, designing the First AME Church, the 28th Street YMCA, and the headquarters for the largest African American-owned insurance company in the western United States, Golden State Mutual Life.

Williams passed away in 1980 at the age of 85.

Hunt commissioned Williams to design the home at 7 Oakmont Drive shortly after her husband, Pioneer Paper Company founder Willis G. Hunt, passed away.

“The architectural practice run by Paul Williams was one of Los Angeles’ major firms, significant for the design of many building types, including public buildings, housing, churches, and hotels. Williams is also significant for the way in which he responded to, mirrored, and adapted his designs to major cultural, technological and demographic trends in Los Angeles,” a City staff report stated.

City Hall added the Hunt residence needed landmark status in order to prevent future demolition.

“Because of their relatively small size (in terms of today’s real estate market), Ranch Houses In today’s key upscale areas are extremely vulnerable to demolition for larger houses. This threatens the historic record that Ranch Houses represent,” a City staff report stated. “Despite Williams’ significant contributions to the Los Angeles architectural landscape, his extraordinary architectural skill, and his importance as a pioneering African-American architect there is no comprehensive record of extant examples of Williams’ work. Without proper identification, documentation, and recognition, the work of this important architect will continue to be lost.”

Beyond 7 Oakmont Drive, City Hall reports 15 other properties designed by Williams were designated “Historic-Cultural Monuments.”

“The Hunt Residence represents an important aspect of Williams’ work that has not yet been fully recognized,” a City staff report stated.

With the Historic-Cultural status designation, the Hunt residence can begin steps to ensure its preservation.

According to news reports and City Hall, the Hunt residence was in danger of being grazed late last year.

The council’s vote was 11-0-4.

Related Posts

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @brentwoodnewsla...

Disney Employee in Custody After Knife Incident on Fox Lot

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

LAPD Responds to Report of Aggressive Behavior The Los Angeles Police Department has taken a staff member of Disney into...

Unpacking Camille Claudel: Curators in Conversation at Getty Center

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Curators Will Guide Insightful Discussion of Acclaimed Artist’s Legacy Curators from renowned institutions across the globe are set to delve...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Two Men Charged in Murder of Sidney Barrett Morris at L.A. Live Restaurant

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

DA Gascón Announces Charges; LAPD Chief Choi Expresses Condolences.  Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced murder charges Tuesday...

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren Headlines Stand with Israel Luncheon

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Distinguished Statesman Shares Insights on Israel’s Future  In Brentwood, one of Israel’s most distinguished statesmen, Ambassador Michael Oren, a diplomat...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...