William Hamilton Hay

William Hamilton Hay (1864–1946) was a Canadian-born real estate developer who played a significant role in shaping the urban landscape of Los Angeles during the early 20th century. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, he moved to Los Angeles around 1880 and became instrumental in developing several key areas of the city. One of his notable achievements was the co-development of the Crescent Heights Tract in West Hollywood in 1905. Within this tract, he built his estate, “Hayvenhurst,” at 8080 Sunset Boulevard. This property was later acquired by actress Alla Nazimova and transformed into the renowned Garden of Allah Hotel.

In 1916, Hay expanded his development efforts to the San Fernando Valley with the creation of the Encino Acres Tract. He constructed another estate, also named “Hayvenhurst,” at 4400 Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino. This development significantly contributed to the suburban growth of the area. Several streets in Los Angeles reflect his influence, such as Hayvenhurst Avenue, named after his estates in Encino. Hayworth Avenue in the Beverly Grove area, originally called “Hay Avenue,” was part of his Crescent Heights development and later renamed. In the Encino Acres Tract, streets like Libbit Avenue and Rubio Avenue are believed to be named after his daughters, Mary Elizabeth (“Libbit”) and Ruby.

Hay’s work played a pivotal role in the expansion and modernization of Los Angeles. His developments and the naming of these streets serve as a lasting legacy of his contributions to the city’s urban growth during a transformative period in its history.