"The building, designed by Arthur Burnett Benton (1858–1927), with many gables, cupolas, turrets and balconies, was turned over to the YWCA, having been built and furnished at a total cost of $500,000.Not less than 3,000 persons visited the home for the first public reception in May 1913, and the "Los Angeles Times" described the building, lawns and rose garden as a "Visitors' Mecca."