Building Dreams in Beverly Hills: A Discovery Tour of Legendary Architecture
From ornate Old Hollywood villas to modernist glass masterpieces, the buildings of the 90210 are ripe for exploration
The latest offering from the storied Beverly Hills Hotel, Building Dreams in Beverly Hills, launched earlier this month and allows guests of the Pink Palace to explore the city through the lens of Hollywood storytelling and important area architecture. Originally designed to launch in January 2024—just before the devastating Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire—this private tour is a first in the Dorchester Collection’s Legendary Artist trails series and promises to delight cinephiles and architecture enthusiasts alike.
Inspired by architect-to-the-stars Paul R. Williams—the man known for such iconic buildings as the Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building—three-hour immersive journeys start from the hotel lobby, which was conceived by Williams in the 1940s. It is Williams who is often credited with making the hotel such an iconic place—from the red-carpet moment that leads to its regal entrance, to the buzzy Polo Lounge and beloved Fountain Café, and down to the chic poolside cabanas. His forward-thinking designs—from the curvature of the breakfast counter in the Fountain Café to the discreet banquettes lining the Polo Lounge patio—have stood the test of time and continue to draw the most influential, design-loving A-list crowd.
After a hearty breakfast, which is included in the package, guests are whisked away by house car to explore some of Beverly Hills’s most unique buildings—from the grand Versailles-inspired homes that dot the Beverly Park enclave to the glittering boutiques along Rodeo Drive and the Renzo Piano-designed Academy Museum—a stunning “soap bubble” structure that provides a modern contrast in an otherwise linear landscape.
Tours are led by an architectural historian who shares the rich history—and colorful “insider” anecdotes—that continue to make the area such a singular place. And the Beverly Hills Hotel has been an epicenter of much of that creative energy for over a century.
“Building on the excitement of Dorchester Collection’s Legendary Artists trails, we are excited for guests to discover Beverly Hills through a brand new, fascinating lens of architecture and design,” says John Scanlon, General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel. “We were inspired by Paul R. Williams’s struggles and success in making his indelible mark on Hollywood architecture at our ‘beloved Pink Palace’ as well as beyond our front door, including homes for celebrity royalty such as Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra. With art and culture playing an integral part of all Dorchester Collection hotels, this wonderfully unique experience gives our guests the chance to get to know the very fabric of Beverly Hills,” he adds.
True architecture buffs can opt for a stay in the historic Paul R. Williams Suite which has paid homage to the boundary-breaking architect since its inception in 1948. Add to that a little poolside glamour, a perfect Polo Lounge McCarthy Salad, and a three-hour educational tour through the winding streets and discreet cul-de-sacs of leafy Beverly Hills, and you’re in for an art and design-filled adventure.
