Author: Lindsay

There’s no denying that Henry Willson (Jim Parsons), the Hollywood character based upon the real-life post-war power agent to the stars, is despicable.  But he’s also, hands down, one of the best parts of the show!  Those one-liners, amirite?  I couldn’t help but smile every time he came onscreen.  The only thing better than his pithy comments was his incredible, mid-century office!  The ziggurat lighting sconces, shiny wood paneling, and marble fireplace were enough to make me drool!  Thanks to the space’s unique detailing, I recognized it immediately as the Oviatt Penthouse, the sleek Art Deco former home of clothier James Oviatt.  I got to tour the grand site, situated on the 13th floor of downtown L.A.’s Oviatt Building, while scouting wedding venues back in 2008 and was completely taken with it – so much so that I brought my mom back to see it just a few days later.  She was equally taken, describing it as having the feel of an Old Hollywood train car.  Though the Grim Cheaper and I did not end up getting married there, the Oviatt Penthouse left an indelible impression, so I, of course, identified it straightaway when it popped up on Hollywood.

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The exquisite 10-room suite was created in 1928 by Parisian interior design firm Saddler et Fils (French for “Saddler and Son”).

Replete with gleaming marble, ornate chandeliers, Lalique glasswork, moire wall coverings, hand-carved parquet flooring, and burled maple, mahogany and thuya built-ins, the Oviatt Penthouse is a definite stunner!

Interestingly, the master bath is one of the space’s most lavish and talked-about areas, featuring carved lacquer-covered terra cotta walls, a Lalique glass skylight, a brightly-tiled steam/massage room, two sinks (one strictly for shaving), a large step-down bathtub, and a bidet.

With a hideaway toilet, the powder room is also pretty darn unique!  (And yes, I know it looks like our tour guide is flipping off the camera below, but, in reality, I just happened to catch him at an unfortunate moment while he was pointing out features of the latrine.)  Now you see it . . .

. . . now you don’t!

The powder room features a hidden sink, as well!

The Oviatt Penthouse also has an upper and lower terrace, the latter of which is reached via the curved staircase pictured below.  During James’ tenure, the spaces were comprised of a tennis court, a small pool, a putting green, gardens, and a sunbathing beach made complete with sand brought in from the French Riviera.

James, who lived as a bachelor there until marrying his wife, Mary, in 1945, called the penthouse his “castle in the air.”  The couple remained on the premises until their deaths in the 1970s.

The Oviatt Penthouse was completely restored in 1977 and then again in 1988 and today is used as a special events venue.

During the latter renovation, a wall was taken down, combing the property’s second bedroom with the dining area to create more space for revelers.

The terrace accoutrements were also removed to make the outdoor area special-event friendly.

Otherwise, the flat was left largely unchanged and simply restored to its original glory.  As a 1988 Los Angeles Times article states, “Guests stepping from the elevator now will see virtually the same flooring spaces that Oviatt and his architects laid out 60 years ago.”  You can check out additional photos of the penthouse here, as well as a video tour here.

Henry Willson’s office appears several times throughout Hollywood, first popping up in the episode titled “Hooray for Hollywood: Part 2” in the scene in which aspiring actor Rock Hudson (Jake Picking) has his initial meeting with the agent.

The penthouse’s living room was utilized for all of Henry’s office scenes.

Though outfitted with a desk, bookshelf, and other furnishings for the shoot, producers really didn’t have to add much to transform the space into a 1940s-era talent agency.

For whatever reason, the room’s intricate chandeliers were swapped out with more conventional ones.  The originals would have fit better with the time period, as well as the accompanying décor, so it was a bit of an odd move.  Otherwise though, the office is perfection!

Additional areas of the penthouse appeared on Hollywood, as well, including the dining room, which portrayed Henry’s waiting room.  The space was heavily dressed for the shoot and the wall mural covered over, rendering it largely unrecognizable as you can see in the screen capture and matching photograph below.

The master bedroom also made an appearance . . .

. . . as did many of its actual furnishings.

The penthouse’s spectacular hallway, which is capped by a canopied ceiling painted with a night sky, was featured, too.  The bold geometric carpeting running the length of it is a nod to both The Shining and Murphy’s American Horror Story: Hotel (the latter was also shot at the Oviatt Building!).  It looks as if the carpet was even left intact after Hollywood wrapped.

The Netflix series isn’t the penthouse’s first cameo.

Bugsy Siegel (Warren Beatty) very briefly takes a telephone call in the master bathroom in the 1991 biopic Bugsy.

Max Hoover (Nick Nolte) and Elleroy Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri) break up a party there in the 1996 drama Mulholland Falls.

And thanks to fellow stalker Gilles I learned that Mylene Farmer also shot her “California” music video at the penthouse in 1996.

For more stalking fun, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Los Angeles magazine and Discover Los Angeles.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 

Stalk It: The Oviatt Penthouse, aka Henry Willson’s office from Hollywood, is located on the top floor of the Oviatt Building at 617 South Olive Street in downtown L.A.  The space is not open to the public, but can often be viewed via the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Art Deco Walking Tour.