In 1918, General Harrison Gray Otis bequeathed his home to the city for "the advancement of the arts." For almost 80 years, Otis remained at this downtown location. In 1997, the College moved to the Elaine & Bram Goldsmith Campus on the West side. From Spanish-Moorish mansion to seven-story cube, Otis has evolved. The 115,000 square-foot Ahmanson Hall was renovated in 1997, using the concept of an artist's loft or a working studio rather than that of a traditional classroom. Ahmanson Hall's open plan encourages communication among the departments, as well as between students and faculty members.