Charney was born in
San Francisco, California. While working as a licensed general contractor, Charney attended the
Art Center School where he studied
architecture under
Rudolph Schindler and
Richard Neutra. By February 1955 Charney had won the construction contract for the second rebuilding of landmark Hollywood restaurant
Perino's, at 4101 Wilshire. The architect was Charney's sometime collaborator Alfred March. Charney later opened his own solo firm, Jack Allen Charney AIA Associates, based in
Los Angeles,
California, , West Hollywood, 1965 Like his mentor Neutra, in residential designs Charney was known for an open-concept plan, with indoor/outdoor living areas, sliding glass door walls and light-filled rooms. It was Charney's philosophy "to take maximum advantage of views of city, mountains and ocean". In his public buildings, Charney was known for impressive, mid-century architectural conceptual designs for apartment complexes, commercial and office buildings, and restaurants across
southern California—in
Los Angeles,
Beverly Hills,
San Diego and
Long Beach. His largest single project was the
Sierra Towers at 9255 Doheny Road in
West Hollywood, which remains a prestigious address, the tallest building for miles, condo units held by an array of celebrities, and an appearances in
Grand Theft Auto Online as
Eclipse Towers. Charney died in Los Angeles County in 2002, at 82. == Buildings ==