| Ravenswood Apartments | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 570 N. Rossmore Ave. |
| Coordinates | 34°04′52″N118°19′37″W / 34.081069°N 118.326985°W /34.081069; -118.326985 |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Max Maltzman |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Designated | November 2003[1] |
| Reference no. | 768 |
  Location of Ravenswood Apartments in the Los Angeles metropolitan area | |
The Ravenswood is a historic apartment building inArt Deco style at 570 North Rossmore Avenue in theHancock Park neighborhood ofLos Angeles,California. It was designed byMax Maltzman, and built byParamount Pictures in 1930 just five blocks from the corner of Paramount's studios onMelrose Avenue.[2]
Mae West lived in thepenthouse from its 1930 opening until her 1980 death.[3][4][5] West, who invested in property throughout the Los Angeles area, saved the building's owners frombankruptcy which changed their initial intention ofbarring her then-boyfriend, African-American boxerWilliam "Gorilla" Jones, from entering the premises.[6] James Timony, West's long time manager, close friend, and one-time boyfriend (pre-1930s), lived in the building until his death in 1954.[7] Other residents have includedAnna Faris,Clark Gable andAva Gardner, at different times.[3][8][9]
The Ravenswood was designated aLos Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2003.[1]