UTA’s Arthur Lewis Lists Art-Filled Lafayette Square Home

United Talent Agency exec Arthur Lewis is heading cross country to oversee the firm’s newest regional office in Atlanta. Unsurprisingly, his stylish 1920s villa in L.A.’s historic Lafayette Square neighborhood is up for grabs, asking nearly $2.9 million. Records reveal Lewis paid just $316,000 for the property way back in 1999, though it’s since undergone a dramatic renovation that retained original details — a snazzy Batchelder tile fireplace, for instance — while adding modern security and audio updates, not to mention a wealth of contemporary artworks amassed through the years by the avid collector.

As partner and creative director of the fine arts program at United Talent Agency since 2019, Lewis has provided visual artists with Hollywood-style representation, along with a spot to display their creations via the Beverly Hills Artist Space. In his new position, Lewis will be one of three UTA employees in charge of the Atlanta office, which adds to UTA’s presence in Beverly Hills, Nashville, New York and London. A partnership with Klutch Sports Group, the full-service office will represent clients in the fields of music, sports, film, TV, podcasts, books and fine arts; and a satellite Artist Space gallery will present exhibits and programming by local and global artists.

Nestled on a 0.2-acre parcel, in the gated Lafayette Square district — where former residents have included Pepperdine University founder George Pepperdine, actors W.C. Fields and Fatty Arbuckle, and former heavyweight champ Joe Louis — the home was originally built in 1922. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms are spread across a little over 3,000 square feet of living space, with the recently remodeled residence garnering L.A.-based Kiyohara Moffitt Architects a “National Award of Excellence for Restoration.”

Especially standing out in the two-level house is a museum-worthy assemblage of work by emerging and established artists of color, with original pieces by Kara Walker, Genevieve Gaignard, Umar Rashid and others covering every nook and cranny — from the floors and ceilings, to the bathrooms and even a linen closet. Other highlights include a sleek, wood-paneled kitchen sporting a marble-topped island and high-end stainless appliances (including two Sub-Zero refrigerators), which opens to a light-filled dining room and a covered al fresco dining terrace.

Upstairs, an oversized primary bedroom features a sitting area warmed by one of two bespoke Spark fireplaces, plus a spa-inspired bath outfitted with Dornbracht fixtures, Calacatta marble and Antonio Lupi cabinetry. Outdoors, the Ray Hansen-designed grounds are marked by a private backyard hosting a sizable patio set against a grassy lawn. There’s also a spacious upper-level balcony shaded by treetops, along with a detached two-car garage.

The listing is held by Stephen Sweeney of Oak Brook Realty.