Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered

Paul R. Williams (1894–1980) was an American architect born in Los Angeles who helped shape his native city during its rapid growth from the 1920s through the early 1970s. The most prominent Black American architect of his generation, he was acclaimed as an "architect to the stars," designing homes for Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Lon Chaney and Barbara Stanwyck. His stylistically diverse practice also spanned public housing, civic, religious, commercial and hospitality projects, including iconic hotels in Southern California, Las Vegas and Latin America. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.