Darren Walker, former president of the Ford Foundation, has acquired a historic residence in Los Angeles originally designed by Paul Revere Williams, the acclaimed Black architect known for creating homes for celebrities such as Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra. The house, located in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, was built in 1952 and thoughtfully designed to fulfill the wishes of Williams’s wife, Della Mae. One notable feature is a spacious “lanai room” inspired by a hotel in Jamaica, which combines a stone floor, curved walls, and lush plantings to evoke a tropical atmosphere.

Walker purchased the home in May after years of living primarily on the East Coast. From 2013 to 2025, he led the Ford Foundation in New York, managing grants totaling approximately $8 billion and guiding the organization's emphasis toward the arts and social justice. Kenneth I. Chenault, former CEO of American Express, has described Walker as "a Renaissance man with a conscience."

Earlier this year, Walker took on the role of president at Anonymous Content, a Los Angeles-based film production and talent management firm. Despite relocating professionally to L.A., he initially had no intention of purchasing a home in the city, preferring instead to rent a suite at the Sunset Tower Hotel while maintaining an apartment in Manhattan.

His decision to buy the Williams-designed house was influenced by Jenna Cooper, a local real estate agent specializing in architecturally significant properties. Upon seeing the lanai room and experiencing the home’s unique character, Walker expressed a strong connection to the space, recognizing it as not just a fulfillment of Della Mae’s original vision but now a shared dream for himself as well.

The acquisition highlights a growing appreciation for architecturally and culturally significant homes throughout Los Angeles, especially those linked to prominent African American figures like Paul Revere Williams, whose work has gained renewed attention in recent years for its contributions to the city’s architectural heritage.