James Dolena

James Dolena (1888–1978) was a Russian-born American architect who designed many houses in Los Angeles, California.

Early life James Dolena was born in Russia on May 17, 1888. He emigrated to the United States in 1905. He was trained as an architect and a painter. The interiors were designed by William Haines and the gardens by Benjamin Martin Purdy. In 1969, the producer Albert R. Broccoli bought it, The following year, in 1932, he designed the private residence of film director Richard Wallace in Bel Air, Los Angeles. Later in 1932, he designed the private residence of actress Constance Bennett in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles. In 1936, he designed the home of Ingle Barr, a renowned book collector, in Beverly Hills, California. From 1934 to 1937, he designed the Farmers Market in the Fairfax District, Los Angeles.

From 1937 to 1939, Dolena designed Casa Encantada located at 10644 Bellagio Road in Bel Air, Los Angeles for Hilda Boldt Weber, heiress to the Charles Boldt Glass Co. The interiors and furniture were designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Gary Winnick purchased it for $94 million in 2000.

From 1937 to 1940, Dolena designed the Boddy House for Manchester Boddy on the grounds of Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, California. In 1939, he designed the private residence of George Cukor. William Haines was the interior designer. In 1940, he designed the B.T. Gate House in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

In 1949, Dolena designed the Walt Disney Estate, a 5,669-square-foot, seventeen-room mansion, for Walt Disney and his wife Lillian Disney in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.

Personal life Dolena lived in Brentwood, Los Angeles, in a house he designed in 1935.

Dolena died on June 12, 1978, in Los Angeles County, California.