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Working with the visionary developer Wayne Ratkovich, who realized that he could beat the real estate market on an upswing by refurbishing an old building, Levin brought the forgotten treasure back to its state as a landmark in design and craftsmanship.

The Oviatt helped to catalyze the preservation movement in Los Angeles — the nascent Los Angeles Conservancy had one of its inaugural meetings there. In the context of Los Angeles' push to build highrises on the new Gold Coast, next to the Harbor freeway, the Oviatt represented a daring walk on the wilder side of Pershing Square, and a foray into what for Los Angeles was little-known architectural territory.

Levin's designs never succumbed to pastiche, sentimentality or historical theming: their architectural quality resided in a taut interpretation based in historical accuracy and skilled execution.

Legacy for LA

Building by building, Levin was establishing a reputation as Los Angeles' premier restoration architect. Each project, however, represented a very particular case, requiring mastery of detail and execution; sometimes Levin had to invent a lost trade by deploying craftspeople with different skills.

Historic preservation was not an idea whose time had come in Los Angeles: it was a matter of a handful of dedicated people like Levin pursuing an almost personal mission that happened to have civic import. Nothing could be done by the book, because the book didn't exist and the code didn't help. But along with the historic architecture itself, Levin was bringing back a piece of Los Angeles' consciousness.

The Oviatt Building

Designed by architects Walker & Eisen, and completed in 1928, the art deco James Oviatt building was noted for its authentic Parisian finishes and fixtures, including the use of the white metal known as "mallechort" for the building's hardware, mailboxes, light fixtures, and borders of the etched-glass panels designed by artist Rene Lalique.

Lalique designed the elaborate entrance doors to the ground-level haberdashery, Alexander & Oviatt, and the elevator doors, and three-dimensional marquee and open-air lobby ceiling.

In 1977, developers Ratkovich, Bowers & Perez purchased the 13-story building for $400,000. The assumption of the seller was that the building would be demolished rather than restored. Levin began work on the renovation as project architect for the firm Group Arcon, and continued as principal upon the founding of her firm in 1980.

The building had been neglected but was fundamentally intact except for the earlier removal of the 30 tons (27 tonnes) of Lalique glass created for the lobby ceiling. The renovation consisted of infrastructure improvements, system upgrades, and tenant improvements for the 5,000-square-foot (465-square-meter) -per-floor building.

Rex il Ristorante

The transformation of the ground-floor haberdashery into a high-end, two-level restaurant was inspired by the Italian luxury ocean liner, Rex. At that time in downtown Los Angeles, allocating ground-floor space to an expensive restaurant was a risky, but innovative, strategy. Within the double-height space, the dining area's intimate tables and banquettes were nestled among the original mahogany cases which once housed menswear but have been transformed into wine racks and drawers for silver.

The second-floor mezzanine, with its bay windows, was transformed into a lounge and small dance floor. Lalique light fixtures found in the basement were restored and re-hung. A new lobby ceiling inspired by the original was designed by the architect, with stained glass by artist Jane Marquis. The lobby is enclosed by a deco-inspired, wrought-iron gate designed by Jean Mason.

The impact of the renovation was substantial: it became the industry standard for historic renovation; it was the precursor to the founding of Los Angeles' preservation movement. Levin received an Honor Award in 1986 from the American Institute of Architects for the project.

Joseph Giovannini is a California-born writer and architect. He is the former architectural critic of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

This article is excerpted from Brenda Levin: Selected and Current Works, copyright © 2001, available from The Images Publishing Group Pty. Ltd. and at Amazon.com.

The Oviatt Building in Los Angeles is a 1928 art-deco building renovated in 1983 by Brenda Levin. Photo: Bruce Boehner Oviatt Building elevation. Photo: Courtesy Brenda Levin A mezzanine surrounds the two-level restaurant, which was inspired by the Italian luxury ocean liner, Rex. Photo: Bob Ware Ground-level floor plan, Rex il Ristorante. Photo: Courtesy Brenda Levin Lalique-designed doors leading to Rex il Ristorante on the ground floor. Photo: Bruce Boehner Lalique light fixtures found in the basement were restored and re-hung. Photo: Bob Ware The original mahogany cases that housed menswear became wine racks. Photo: Bob Ware Brenda Levin: Selected and Current Works. Image: Images Publishing   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.