Background
Irving Gill was born in 1870 at Syracuse, New York, United States.
Irving Gill was born in 1870 at Syracuse, New York, United States.
Gill attended the Madison Street School in Syracusem then he went to Chicago to acquire architectural training under the late Louis Sullivan.
He worked as draftsman in the office until about 1893, when for reasons of health he left for California. During a visit in San Diego Mr. Gill found the city and its environs so attractive he decided to remain and establish his home there. Shortly after he opened an architectural office, and starting practice about 1895, carried on his work there, and for a short time in Los Angeles until the time of his decease.
Throughout his career Mr. Gill devoted his time and attention mainly to domestic architecture and practiced independently except for a few years (c. 1900 to 1907)* when associated in partnership with W. S. Hebbard. In the early part of the century he was designing in an approach to the contemporary style, and by 1911 made further simplifications in following Sulli- vanesque ideas, which in general were opposed by the profession. Later in life however, he won favorable recognition from many of his critics, while from Europe, particularly Paris and Vienna, came praise for his work.
In his San Diego office Mr. Gill received commissions for a number of residences on the Atlantic coast, at Bar Harbor, Maine, Newport, R. I., and elsewhere. Also he prepared plans for a house at Brookline, Mass., for the noted landscape artist, Frederick Olmsted. His most important work, however, was in California, interesting examples of which were the Christian Science Church in San Diego, the Scripps School at La Jolla (San Diego) and the first civic building in the newly founded town of Torrance. In 1912 he gave up his office to join Bertram Goodhue in his work on the Exposition in San Diego held in 1915, and due largely to his influence the Olmstead Brothers were induced to accept the commission to design the setting for the Exposition in Balboa Park.
In Los Angeles Mr. Gill's designs are exemplified in the homes of Mary Banning and Walter Luther Dodge, the latter on King's Road, Hollywood, and residences in other parts of the city.
Irving Gill acquired architectural training under Louis Sullivan.
From 1900 to 1907 Irving Gill worked in association with partner with W. S. Hebbard.
In 1912 he gave up his office to join Bertram Goodhue in his work on the Exposition in San Diego held in 1915.
