The Ravenswood
The Ravenswood is a historic apartment building in Art Deco style at 570 North Rossmore Avenue in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It was designed by Max Maltzman, and built by Paramount Pictures in 1930 just five blocks from the corner of Paramount's studios on Melrose Avenue. Mae West lived in the penthouse from its 1930 opening until her 1980 death. West, who invested in property throughout the Los Angeles area, bought the building when the management barred her then-boyfriend, African American boxer William "Gorilla" Jones, from entering the premises. James Timony, West 's long time manager, close friend, and one-time boyfriend (pre-1930's), lived in the building until his death in 1954. Other residents have included Ava Gardner and Clark Gable, at different times. The Ravenswood was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2003.