The Architect

“Among twentieth century practitioners of Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, one architect, George Washington Smith transcended the rest.”

-  Harris Allen, A.I.A

George Washington Smith is legendary as the “Father of Spanish Revival Architecture in California.” His name derived from his birth date on February 22, 1876. A brilliant and talented man, he studied architecture at Harvard, made a small fortune in New York, lived and painted in Paris, traveled extensively throughout Europe and finally settled in Santa Barbara. There he became the most renowned architect of early California residences, mostly in Santa Barbara and Montecito. But here in Pebble Beach, Smith designed three of our most famous and renowned landmarks: The Cypress Point Club Lodge; the (Byzantine) Crocker Mansion and Villa Eden Del Mar. While best known and revered for his residential architecture, George Washington Smith also designed in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara City Hall Plaza; the Daily News Building; the Lobero Theater; the Santa Barbara Chapel and Crematorium; the Montecito Country Club; and the Hope Ranch.