Long Beach Villa Riviera Building, 1929

The Villa Riviera
800 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
longbeach.gov

One of the most interesting aspects to Long Beach, California architecture is the fact that the bulk of the early 20th century design comes from precisely one year--the year the earthquake nearly leveled the city and it was rebuilt from the ground up. However, there are many buildings that survived the great 1932 earthquake, including The Villa Riviera.

Pictured is what was once known and recognized as the Villa Riviera Hotel. Constructed in 1929, only Los Angeles City Hall eclipsed this 16-story building's height when it was unveiled as modern, marvelous wonder.

Architect Richard D. King won the grand prize for the design of the building in an international contest. Spending more than $2 million to make it a reality, the Long Beach icon quickly put the city in competition as the place to visit and vacation. Alamitos Beach is just behind the building and The Pike amusement nearby included arcades, thrill rides and a gorgeous seaside setting.

Today the Villa Riviera is a noticeable landmark as you enter downtown from the south, and many hope the stoplight near the building will turn red so they can sit and look up, admiring the edifice and gargoyles visible from Ocean Blvd. Majestic Tudor Gothic, with a resemblance to the Italian and French Renaissance, blend to create a gracious, towering composite with vertical lines that overshadows any single decorative detail.

Joseph M. Schenck (Twentieth Century-Fox) and Norma Talmadge owned the hotel at one time. It survived the earthquake with only plaster cracks which were easily repaired. From many floors the current condo owners can enjoy views of Long Beach Harbor, San Pedro, and Catalina Island. The building has received much tender loving care, including repair of the gargoyles.

As one of over 100 Long Beach buildings and structures declared a city landmark, The Villa Riviera adheres to General Guidelines and Standards by the cultural heritage committee described:

The exterior of this building should be maintained at any cost! The gargoyles, intricate art stone carvings and other outer decorations should be reinforced should they show signs of weakening. Any exterior painting or reroofing should be done only after Committee approval as to color and material. We would encourage the present color tones and would discourage a change of color for this towering pillar which stands as a gateway to the Ocean Boulevard scenic route currently in the planning process. Since the apartments are privately owned, the Committee will not make any recommendations beyond preserving the lobby, its fixtures and decorations.