Walker & Eisen
| Company type | Architectural firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Defunct | 1941 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Albert Raymond Walker, Percy Augustus Eisen, Charles M. Hutchison, Sr. |
| Products | Architectural design and buildings |
Walker & Eisen (1919−1941) was a distinguished architectural firm formed by Albert Raymond Walker and Percy Augustus Eisen, celebrated for their extensive portfolio of historic structures throughout California, with a particular focus on Los Angeles. For many years, they stood among the leading architectural practices in the city.
Early life
Albert Raymond Walker entered the world on May 9, 1881, in Sonoma, California. He was the son of Albert Walker, a carpenter who immigrated from Norway, and Elizabeth Stevens, originally from New York. Following the death of his father before the turn of the century, Elizabeth and Albert R. relocated to San Diego to reside with her sisters. In 1902, Albert R. commenced his education at Brown University.
Early career
Between 1901 and 1904, Albert Raymond Walker served as a draftsman under William S. Hebbard and Irving Gill, contributing to projects such as the George W. Marston House. Around 1905–1906, he transitioned to Los Angeles, where he worked as a draftsman for John Parkinson and George Bergstrom (1905), then took on design roles with Alfred Rosenheim (1906), followed by work with Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey (1907).
Walker obtained his architectural license in California in February 1908 and established his own practice within Los Angeles's Homer Laughlin Building. During this early phase, he designed the Fullerton First Methodist Episcopal Church, which was subsequently added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
In 1910, Walker entered into a partnership with John Terrell Vawter. Their collaborative works included the Edward Strasburg House in Pasadena, Frank C. Hill House in Echo Park, Grible Store Building in Montrose, and the original campus of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. This partnership ended in 1916, after which Walker practiced solo between 1917 and 1918.
Personal life and death
On August 25, 1909, Walker married Jesse R. Morgan, who was six years younger than him. Throughout the 1910s, they resided in Hollywood, and by 1930 they had moved into a $40,000 residence in Beverly Hills alongside their daughter Eleanor and Jesse’s mother. The household also included accommodations for their gardener’s family.
Albert Raymond Walker passed away on September 17, 1958, in Westwood, Los Angeles, with his interment taking place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Jesse died three years later in 1961.
Early life
Born on December 17, 1885, in Los Angeles, California, Percy Augustus Eisen was the son of Theodore Eisen—a prominent architect—and Annie (Bennett) Eisen.
Early career
From 1908 until 1917, Percy partnered professionally with his father Theodore Eisen, continuing a family tradition that echoed Theodore’s earlier collaboration with his own father during the 1870s in San Francisco. Their joint projects featured significant landmarks such as the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood and the downtown Los Angeles Gates Hotel.
Death
Percy Augustus Eisen died on November 18, 1946, within Los Angeles County.
Partnership
The firm Walker & Eisen was founded toward the end of 1919 by Albert Raymond Walker, Percy Augustus Eisen, along with Charles M. Hutchison, Sr.. Hutchison exited the firm in 1921, and eventually Walker & Eisen dissolved their partnership in 1941. Throughout its existence, the firm gained recognition as one of Los Angeles’s foremost architectural studios.
Operating mainly within Los Angeles but extending their influence across California over twenty years, Walker & Eisen were responsible for numerous structures many of which are now individually or collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Several buildings have also been designated as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (LAHCM).
During the 1920s and 1930s, the firm frequently collaborated with cinema architect specialist Clifford A. Balch. Additionally, they employed Clifford’s brother William Glenn Balch as a draftsman from 1922 to 1928 and engaged civil engineer John E. Costello based in San Francisco from 1927 through 1931.
List of Works
Prominent projects by Walker & Eisen encompass:
Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District
- Taft Building (1923), designated LAHCM #666
- Hollywood Plaza Hotel (1924), listed as LAHCM #665
- Regal Shoes Building (1939)
Non-contributing
- 6356 Hollywood Boulevard (1921)
Broadway Theater and Commercial District
- Apparel Center Building (1923)
- United Artists Theatre, co-designed with C. Howard Crane (1927), LAHCM #523
- Platt Building (1927)
- F. and W. Grand Silver Store Building (1931)
Other Locations in Los Angeles
- Roosevelt Theater (1921)
- National City Bank of Los Angeles (1924), recognized as LAHCM #871
- Hotel Normandie (1925), LAHCM #1013
- Fine Arts Building (1927), LAHCM #125
- James Oviatt Building (1927–1928), listed on NRHP #83004529
- Entrance pylons of the Ambassador Hotel (1930)
- Farmer's Insurance Company Office Building (1930)
- Four Star Theatre (1931–1932, demolished in 2015), in collaboration with Clifford Balch
- Sunkist Building (1935, demolished 1972)
Other Sites in California
- Empire Theater, Long Beach (1922, demolished 1952)
- Southern Counties Gas Company Building, Santa Ana (1923), NRHP #83001223
- Breakers Hotel, Long Beach (1925)
- El Cortez Hotel, San Diego (1926), NRHP #01001458
- Beverly-Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills (1926–1928), NRHP #87000908
- El Mirador Hotel, Palm Springs (1927–1928, demolished 1989)
- Clock Tower Building, Santa Monica (1929–1930)
- Upland City Hall and Police Station, Upland (1930)
- Headquarters of the Farmer's Insurance Company (1937)
- Torrance City Hall, Municipal Auditorium, and Public Library
- San Luis Obispo County Court House
- Mar Monte Hotel, Santa Barbara
- Hilton Hotel, Long Beach
Collaborations with Clifford Balch
United Artists Theaters:
- East Los Angeles, 1931
- Inglewood, 1931
- Long Beach, 1931
- Pasadena, 1931
- Berkeley, 1932
- El Centro, 1932
- Los Angeles, 1932
- Ventura, 1932
Other Locations
- Valley National Bank Building, Tucson, Arizona (1929), NRHP #75608928
In Popular Culture
Walker & Eisen receive a mention in the motion picture (500) Days of Summer.