Arthur R. Kelly
Encyclopedia
Arthur Rolland Kelly was an American architect who specialized in residential architecture, primarily in the Los Angeles, California
area. Arthur Kelly designed approximately five hundred homes and other buildings.
Born of Irish parents, who emigrated from Dublin in approximately 1876, he was born in Waterloo, Iowa
. After studying architecture and recognizing an opportunity, he left Iowa and settled in Los Angeles in 1902, along with his wife Enid Harrod Kelly. Among his first jobs was working for the architectural firm of Greene and Greene
in Pasadena
. Within a few years, he opened his own architectural firm, initially creating homes in various styles in Hollywood and surrounding areas. In the book California Design 1910 author Robert Winter states "The majority of his residential work during the Craftsman period leans toward Colonial Revival and is of only marginal interest. Winter goes on to note one exception, the ca. 1909 John T. Allen ranch house, Hollywood.
William Arthur Newbery was Kelly's first associate. Among his first large commissions was the Huntington Beach High School
in 1908. The Newbery association lasted only a few years. Independently, he earned his largest commission to date, the United Verde Copper Company buildings in Jerome, Arizona
. Among these buildings were worker's homes, a doctor's home, a church, hospital, hotel, school and apartments. Another important building during this period was Hollywood's first luxury hotel, The Christie Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard
.
The 1920s saw a very prolific period in Kelly's career. His specialization was in homes of Spanish Colonial Revival style and Tudor Revival style
. Most of his clients chose to have his designs built on lots they had purchased in Holmby Hills
, Beverly Hills
and San Marino, California
. Kelly's associate during this period was Joe Estep. A few of Kelly's many designs included the William S. Hart
Ranch in Newhall, the Arthur Letts, Jr. estate in Holmby Hills (now known as The Playboy Mansion
), Beverly Hills estates for J. Crampton Anderson, John Blystone, Richard Dix
, Johnny Mack Brown
, and many others. During this period, Kelly also designed all the buildings for the Westlake School for Girls (now known as Harvard-Westlake School) in Bel-Air
and the Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park
.
The period of the 1930s to the early 1950s saw Kelly in association with his son, architect Joseph Rolland Kelly.
Other than the Letts/Playboy Mansion, which actor Peter O'Toole
described as 'What God would have done if He'd had the money", Kelly's most published work is his 1911 Frost-Tufts house, Hollywood. This residence, having undergone a detailed restoration has been featured in several books and magazines.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
area. Arthur Kelly designed approximately five hundred homes and other buildings.
Born of Irish parents, who emigrated from Dublin in approximately 1876, he was born in Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
. After studying architecture and recognizing an opportunity, he left Iowa and settled in Los Angeles in 1902, along with his wife Enid Harrod Kelly. Among his first jobs was working for the architectural firm of Greene and Greene
Greene and Greene
Greene and Greene was an architectural firm established by brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene , influential early 20th Century American architects...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. Within a few years, he opened his own architectural firm, initially creating homes in various styles in Hollywood and surrounding areas. In the book California Design 1910 author Robert Winter states "The majority of his residential work during the Craftsman period leans toward Colonial Revival and is of only marginal interest. Winter goes on to note one exception, the ca. 1909 John T. Allen ranch house, Hollywood.
William Arthur Newbery was Kelly's first associate. Among his first large commissions was the Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School is a public high school in Huntington Beach, California. Opened in 1906, it is part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. HBHS is a California Distinguished School...
in 1908. The Newbery association lasted only a few years. Independently, he earned his largest commission to date, the United Verde Copper Company buildings in Jerome, Arizona
Jerome, Arizona
Jerome is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 353.-History:...
. Among these buildings were worker's homes, a doctor's home, a church, hospital, hotel, school and apartments. Another important building during this period was Hollywood's first luxury hotel, The Christie Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard
-Revitalization:In recent years successful efforts have been made at cleaning up Hollywood Blvd., as the street had gained a reputation for crime and seediness. Central to these efforts was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and adjacent Kodak Theatre in 2001...
.
The 1920s saw a very prolific period in Kelly's career. His specialization was in homes of Spanish Colonial Revival style and Tudor Revival style
Tudorbethan architecture
The Tudor Revival architecture of the 20th century , first manifested itself in domestic architecture beginning in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 19th century based on a revival of aspects of Tudor style. It later became an influence in some other countries, especially the British colonies...
. Most of his clients chose to have his designs built on lots they had purchased in Holmby Hills
Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California
Holmby Hills is an affluent neighborhood in the district of Westwood in western Los Angeles. It is bordered by the city of Beverly Hills on the east, Wilshire Boulevard on the south, Westwood on the west, and Bel Air on the north. Sunset Boulevard is the area's principal thoroughfare which divides...
, Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
and San Marino, California
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
. Kelly's associate during this period was Joe Estep. A few of Kelly's many designs included the William S. Hart
William S. Hart
William Surrey Hart was an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He is remembered for having "imbued all of his characters with honor and integrity."-Biography:...
Ranch in Newhall, the Arthur Letts, Jr. estate in Holmby Hills (now known as The Playboy Mansion
The Playboy Mansion
The Playboy Mansion is the home of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner. Located in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles, California, the mansion became famous during the 1970s through media reports of Hefner's lavish parties.-History:The house is described as being in the "Gothic-Tudor" style...
), Beverly Hills estates for J. Crampton Anderson, John Blystone, Richard Dix
Richard Dix
Richard Dix was an American motion picture actor who achieved popularity in both silent and sound film. His standard on-screen image was that of the rugged and stalwart hero.-Early life:...
, Johnny Mack Brown
Johnny Mack Brown
Johnny Mack Brown was an All-American college football player and film actor originally billed as John Mack Brown at the height of his screen career.-Early life:...
, and many others. During this period, Kelly also designed all the buildings for the Westlake School for Girls (now known as Harvard-Westlake School) in Bel-Air
Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California
Bel Air is an affluent residential community in the hills of the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California. Together with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills it forms the Platinum Triangle of Los Angeles neighborhoods....
and the Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park
Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California
Hancock Park is a historic and affluent urban neighborhood in Los Angeles, California roughly bounded by Van Ness Avenue to the East, Melrose Avenue to the North, La Brea Avenue to the West, and Wilshire Boulevard to the South.-History:...
.
The period of the 1930s to the early 1950s saw Kelly in association with his son, architect Joseph Rolland Kelly.
Other than the Letts/Playboy Mansion, which actor Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole is an Irish actor of stage and screen. O'Toole achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and then went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most...
described as 'What God would have done if He'd had the money", Kelly's most published work is his 1911 Frost-Tufts house, Hollywood. This residence, having undergone a detailed restoration has been featured in several books and magazines.