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The Huffington Post – Michael LaFetra’s Mediteranean Manse – December 11, 2010

Michael LaFetra s Mediterranean Manse In Bel Air

 

Michael LaFetra’s Mediterranean Manse In Bel-Air

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Via Curbed LA: Producer Michael LaFetra (of Night Train and Bart Got A Room) has put his Mediterranean home on the market for $10.749 million. It has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a Chef’s kitchen, pool, and parking for more than ten cars. The official listing describes the home renovations as “thoughtful restoration of a classic Paul William Mediterranean” and “tasteful bathroom updates.”

The Bel-Air home was build in 1929 by Paul Revere Williams, one of the few African-American architects of his time. Not only did he break down racial barriers in the industry, but his designs were renowned and preferred by stars like Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Lucille Ball. The USC Trojan Family Magazine depicts what it took for Williams (a USC alum) to rise up in his profession:

“Paul Revere Williams ’19 was an African-American architect at a time when such a combination wasn’t considered possible. He had been told as a teenager that ‘a Negro’ couldn’t be an architect; he proved otherwise, though it meant riding to job sites in segregated train cars and perfecting the skill of upside-down drawing (so he could sit across the table from clients, rather than lean over them, lest his proximity make them uncomfortable).”