This article is about the architect. For other individuals with the same name, see Arthur Kelly (disambiguation).

Arthur Rolland Kelly (1878–1959) was an American architect who designed approximately five hundred homes and buildings, mostly in the Los Angeles area.[1]

Early life and education

Arthur Rolland Kelly was born in Ohio[2] to Irish parents who emigrated from Dublin sometime around 1876.

Kelly studied architecture at the University of Illinois under Nathan Clifford Ricker, and graduated in 1902. He settled in Los Angeles later that year, after a three-month tour of Europe.

Career

One of Kelly's first jobs was at the architectural firm Greene and Greene in Pasadena. Kelly opened his own firm a few years later, initially creating homes in Hollywood and its surrounding areas. The majority of his work during this time was Colonial Revival in design.[3]

William S. Hart House

The 1920s was a very prolific period for Kelly. He specialized in Spanish Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival homes, with most of his works made for clients who had purchased lots in Holmby Hills and Beverly Hills.[1] Kelly's most notable works during this time period include 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, and Johnny Mack Brown; and the William S. Hart House in Newhall. Kelly also designed the Westlake School for Girls, Wilshire Country Club, and Christie Hotel during this time.[4][5]

From the 1930s to the early 1950s, Kelly worked in association with his son Joseph Rolland Kelly.

Personal life

Arthur married Enid Harrod Kelly[2][6] and they had one son named Joseph.

Death

Kelly died on March 25, 1959 in Los Angeles County, California.[2]

List of works

Christie Hotel

Notable Kelly works include (in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted):

Arthur Letts Jr House

References

  1. ^ a b Lucking, Liz (September 2, 2022). "Los Angeles House by Playboy Mansion Architect Lists for Nearly $7.8 Million". Barron's.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Michelson, Alan. "Arthur Rolland Kelly (Architect)". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Anderson, Timothy J. (et al, editor). California Design 1910. Salt Lake City. Peregrine Smith Books. 1974.
  4. ^ a b c O'Connor, Pauline (March 28, 2018). "Elegant 1920s English Tudor Revival in the Hollywood Hills by Arthur Kelly asks $5.5M". Curbed Los Angeles.
  5. ^ a b "Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. April 4, 1985.
  6. ^ "Arthur Kelly and Miss Enid Harrod Are United". Semi Weekly Iowa State Reporter. Waterloo, IA. January 5, 1904. p. 3.
  7. ^ Barrera, Sandra (October 15, 2020). "111-year-old Monrovia home by Playboy Mansion architect seeks $2.7 million". Pasadena Star-News.
  8. ^ Duchscherer, Paul & Keister, Douglas. The Bungalow: America's Arts & Crafts Home. New York. Penguin Studio. 1995. ISBN 0-670-86353-X. Pages 73-77.
  9. ^ Barrigan, Bianca (March 31, 2017). "1921 estate in Los Feliz designed by Playboy Mansion architect asking $4.2M". Curbed Los Angeles.
  10. ^ McCarthy, Bonnie (August 9, 2016). "Home of the Day: In Los Feliz, an English Revival surrounded by Hollywood history". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ "Historic Resource - E. J. Fuss House 2300 N Nottingham Ave". City of Los Angeles. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Rolland_Kelly
No tags for this post.