In keeping with the passions of James Oviatt, its original owner and the structure's namesake, the Oviatt Building is an art deco jewel set in an Italian Romanesque display case. A leading haberdasher to the city's carriage trade and high-style Hollywood, James Oviatt during one of his many buying jaunts to Europe happened to visit the Paris Exposition International des Arte Decoratifs, and he fell in love with Art Deco. He had all the building's fixtures and furnishings made in France, including all the decorative glass by the master René Lalique. It was just the style to attract such stars as Adolph Menjou and Clark Gable. Also helping business, no doubt, were the parties Oviatt was said to have hosted in his "castle in the air," a penthouse he had built on top of the building replete with a swimming pool and tennis court. Originally designed, in 1927-1928, by Walker & Eisen, the Oviatt Building was respectfully restored by Brenda Levin in 1976.

The Oviatt Building
617 South Olive Street
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cross over to the north side of Sixth Street and continue west to the...