Harold Levitt, Architect
Harold Levitt is perhaps best remembered for the homes he designed for Hollywood’s elite, including Walter Mirish, Steven Spielberg, and Lew Wasserman. Mr. Levitt started his own architectural practice in the early 1950’s after working for the famous residential designer Roland Coate and then Burton Schutt. His best known creations reflect the modern design philosophies of mid-century Los Angeles.

The interpenetration of the indoors and outdoors was used extensively within Mr. Levitt’s work. Large glass surfaces, interior courtyards, and surprising entry sequences were all used throughout his residential work in efforts to blur the boundary between the interior and exterior. In many of the homes he designed a solid large-scale door will appear from the street as the entrance, but the door will instead lead to a protected courtyard.

Mr. Levitt’s natural graciousness combined with his artistic vision made the ideal combination for a residential designer, and over his half-century career Mr. Levitt built long lasting relationships with many of his clients.
Mr. Levitt also designed many notable commercial projects such as the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas and the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences Building in Los Angeles.

Harold Levitt was born in San Francisco on July 26, 1921. He earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts at Stanford University and an architecture degree at University of Southern California. He retired from his own practice to Reno, Nevada at age 79, and died from natural causes two years later.

This website represents only a small sample of Harold Levitt’s work. We would like to continue to add to it and encourage all who have stories to share or images of Mr. Levitt’s work to please send them to us.
   
     
The above images represent only a small sample of Harold Levitt’s work. We would like to continue to add to it and encourage all who have stories to share or images of Mr. Levitt’s work to please send them to us.