Then & Now - Historical residential buildings in Long Beach

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This video slideshow presentation is the result of my research on the history of a few of the vintage residential buildings in and around my neighborhood in Long Beach, California. Some of the buildings featured are the majestic Villa Riviera, Ebell Club & Theatre, Cooper Arms building, Breakers Hotel and it's famous Sky Room restaurant where some of Hollywood's greatest stars were frequent customers during the early years! The historic Breakers property is currently undergoing a $150-million restoration and development and is slated to reopen in mid- 2024 as Long Beach’s first luxury boutique hotel.

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6 май 2012

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Комментарии : 206

@bluebluelectricblue Год назад

I live in a huge one bedroom built in 1919 here in beautiful Long Beach. I walk to the beach, loving the old world feel of this city, keeps me young and living vibrantly. I truly feel the ghosts of Long Beach City 🌹💖

@sushiscomments 11 лет назад

I was born and raised in Long Beach. I have spent the last 21 years of my life in this city and I have never realized how much history I can find by just turning a corner. This video gave me chills. Thank you so much.

@briane173 5 лет назад

I lived most of my childhood in Belmont Shore and would regularly pass the Villa Riviera on the way to Navy Base Long Beach on Terminal Island or to get on the LB Freeway. Being one of the few buildings in Long Beach NOT to collapse during the '33 earthquake it had quite a reputation for sturdiness and resiliency. It's architecture stood in stark contrast to the high-rise Galaxy Apartments just up Ocean Blvd, and the Arena & Convention Center across the street. I haven't been to downtown Long Beach in so long I wouldn't recognize it now; but it makes me all the more grateful the Villa Riviera stills stands as a reminder of what was -- both in my childhood and in LB's storied history.

@juliorubio5986 Год назад

But are still around longbeach

@wilhard45 6 лет назад

I dined several times at the Sky Room in the 1960s and 1970s. My friends and I would tell each other that you knew you were serious about a girl if you took her to the Sky Room for dinner. Wonderful food and an amazing view not to mention soooo romantic.

@johnminnott7334 6 лет назад

I grew up in Long Beach. An interesting presentation since so much has changed.

@kennethterry8894 11 лет назад

Thank you very much! I am a 3rd generation Long Beach native. This video brought back a lot of memories and answered a lot of questions about the "old buildings" I grew up with!

@ripperduck 8 лет назад

My dad was from Socal and had family we would visit. My most enduring memory was of the Villa Rivera, mostly the street in front of it was curved. That amenity made it such a unique building. We would play on the beach, tour Navy ships on Sunday when they allowed the public on board. It was a real treat for a kid to experience all of that.....

@joekurtz8303 6 лет назад

Tons of history in Long Beach, all you have to do is peel back the onion, I live downtown And see daily. Always enjoy the old pictures of our shore . Our greatest treasure.

@chaosdemonwolf1 10 лет назад

I live in England born and raised but my dad was in the army and married my mum who was from the states. I spent from 1968-1976 in California and had lots of memories of Long Beach including the Pike

@sfbfriend 11 лет назад

Mr. Holman, great video. My Great Grandmother lived at 140 Linden until her death in 1940. Her name was Isadora Friend. She lived with a Cecil Friend, one of her sons. It is awesome when you can put a place to the person. My Dad was born in Hawthorne and he grew up in the Long Beach area before moving to Elk Grove in the 40's. His Dad, my Grandfather worked for the Southern Pacific railroad. I do love the history, thank you so much for this. I can only imaging what it must have been like.

@johngergen9194 9 лет назад

Thanks, As a teen living in Signal Hill in the late 1950s I remember all those Iconic buildings in Long Beach and always wondered what they were like inside and who lived there. Long Beach has a great history. Thanks again.

@americanvisualists7758 8 лет назад

Thank you for this nicely conceived historic presentation. I loved it. I recently looked up 2230 Ocean as it was where I first lived after being born at St. Mary's, 5/47. I've spent most of my life in the arts, but away from Long Beach. Ironically the Long Beach Art Museum now sits directly next door, to the east of my old address. I loved riding around old downtown LB as a kid. My grandfather easily convinced me Superman lived atop the Villa Riviera. I even got him to take me there to search but, alas, the waitress in the coffee shop sadly informed me Clark Kent was working on something very important, out of town. The building still fascinates me today.

@jeanbeck3962 Год назад

In 1952. My Navy husband and I attended a St. Patricks dinner dance at the Sky Room. A private party for the USS Sicily. A great memory.

@Keithbythesea Год назад

The reopening should be sometime soon. Looking forward tgo seeing the restoration of the Sky Room and the hotel!

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

There is indeed so much history involving the vintage residential buildings in Long Beach. Glad you enjoyed my presentation and thanks for watching!

@ssoldie5490 6 лет назад

Thanks for this. I lived in San Pedro and Long Beach from 1941 to 1956, worked at Buffums Dept Store and live at the Y.W.C.A. '51-56'. Good memories.

@pattiromero9764 6 лет назад

I love this video. Recently stayed at the Gaytonia and it was wonderful. I loved in Long Beach 14 years and am still trying to get back--a city with a gracious past and progressive present.

@Keithbythesea 6 лет назад

Thank you Patti for the nice compliment! It was an interesting project putting this together - taking photos as I walked by these properties and then researching their history online. There are so many more vintage buildings in my city and I should do a Then & Now - Part 2. Hope you get back to LB soon!

@azriel562 10 лет назад

Someday in 1996, I was walking on Ocean Blvd for my first time visit to Long Beach. And when I saw the Majestic Villa Riviera Building. I felt in love with this city. I am in this beauty city since 1997 to the present. Love you Long Beach.

@DM-tj8ii 5 лет назад

My wife and I had our wedding reception at the Breakers in 92. We were driven from the Bayshore Church in a 1930 Ford Tudor to the Breakers and it was an amazing night. I love the Breakers, I frequently drive around Long Beach in my 41 Ford and pass by there and think about that amazing night. Right now it's getting a makeover and should open sometime in 2021, a friend is helping build it and I can tell you it's going to be insane...looking forward to the day.

@chrisjeffries2322 2 месяца назад

💋 Thank you for sharing.

@missladyhawke 11 лет назад

Thank you so much for this video. I was born and raised in Long Beach and it was very fascinating to see and learn about all of those buildings.

@RTMonitor 3 года назад

It’s kind of interesting when some of the hotels from the past still fit for today’s generation. I hope it’s still fitting for the next generation.

@captlarry-3525 2 месяца назад

The town where I was born was a place "without history", that did a good job of inventing "instant history" through some very nice architecture.

@BrendaNegri 6 лет назад

Thank you for posting and yes the music just made it!

@Keithbythesea 6 лет назад

Brenda Negri Thank you!

@CrazyMario-wz7ve 6 лет назад

Keith H. I live there i like the pike

@Leafylover Год назад

It’s Truly a delight to see Long Beach the way my ancestors saw it. 🙏

@dcriley65 4 года назад

I was a window washer at the BREAKERS in the earlier 80's, I loved the hotel but hated the Safety conditions.

@KateAndMePopCulture 12 лет назад

applause dear friend for your historical treat of vintage visuals and history !

@PUAlum 3 года назад

Great video! Thanks for making/posing. And the music was perfect for the era of most of the buildings. Really nice touch!

@Keithbythesea 3 года назад

Thanks for the nice compliment. Glad you enjoyed it!

@arronh02 10 лет назад

I miss my Home of Downtown Long Beach when I watch this.

@lovelylight1972 4 года назад

how Pristine the buildings were and I still want to own a little apt at the Villa Riviera it is the most interesting building in Long Beach to me . Great presentation and the music just perfectly complemented it.

@f2mel2 Год назад

The Breakers now undergoing 5 star hotel conversion. I worked maintenance as a contractor for 15 yrs. I walked every inch of the building repeatedly. Cant wait to say hi. Same with La Reina Maria (The Queen Mary). Thanks for posting.

@Keithbythesea Год назад

Yes, the restoration of Breakers has been going on for a few years now and is slated for a reopening as a hotel again next fall. I'm looking forward to it and to seeing what changes have been made to the famous "Sky Room". Here is a recent article from last Summer lbbusinessjournal.com/news/breakers-hotel-to-open-next-year-as-a-fairmont-property Thanks for watching!

@ladyleesutter 6 лет назад

Terrific history. Love the photos, the well-written history, descriptions, and the music. Coincidentally this very same version of "Night and Day" played on public radio station I was listening to this morning.I lived in Long Beach from 1956 to 1970, graduated from' LB Poly my parents remained there until my mother died in 1984, and my father lived at the Breaker's shortly before his death eight years later..

@Keithbythesea 6 лет назад

Thank you for your nice comments. Glad you enjoyed my presentation. I thought this vintage music would be a nice complement to the slideshow and that is quite a concidence that you heard the very same version of "Night and Day" earlier in the day!

@ravenrose3730 6 месяцев назад

Wonderful and informative video. Thank you for the upload!

@Keithbythesea 6 месяцев назад

Thank you for the nice compliment!

@itstheburnz 7 лет назад

Great job Keith! Informative and familiar.. as a LB native.. very fun and well done!

@citadel9611 Год назад

Very nice video and channel. I remember most of these building when I lived in Southern California. Hope these building continue to stand for decades to come.

@kashprod 10 лет назад

As a Long Beach native & a lover/performer of early jazz I naturally really enjoyed your wonderful video. Have you done a video on homes? My grandparents owned (& lived at) the Kashishian Oriental Rug Company at 401 E. Carson...the place with the Turkish-like dome on the top. It is now a private home, and the dome and showroom windows are gone, unfortunately. I can send you photos of the original home if you are interested. Thanks again for a wonderful video

@sodality3970 3 года назад

Great music by Bix and the Gang !! I love it and thank you for this video !!

@SpencerMusicSchool 4 года назад

Love this. I live in an historical 1925 Craftsman in the Bluff Park area. Love our reach architecture and history.

@Keithbythesea 4 года назад

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

@bopechanga1129 6 лет назад

Unfortunately long beach tends to demolish many beautiful building for glass ungly things

@TheFriarGamer208 6 лет назад

bo pechanga I hate it when a city tries to kill their history by demolishing something that we all would never see again.

@timothyschugt9697 3 года назад

@@TheFriarGamer208 So true - so many beautiful buildings in Long Beach were destroyed and replaced by awful "modern" buildings that have not stood the test of time.

@marleyg2850 2 года назад

That's exactly why I left LB in 2012. I grew up in the area, lived there for years as an adult near Ocean Blvd and then gentrification really popped out in 2010 in the DTLA arts district. It was heart breaking.

@holly-go-lightly Год назад

I totally agree. Hard to believe that they demolished the original library and surrounding park. Memories of the beautiful inside of the library with all that beautiful wood gone....

@alexdelrio45 6 лет назад

My wife Rose and I spent the night at The Breakers Hotel on our honeymoon in 1987. As we both walked into the lobby to check ourselves in, I was still wearing my tuxedo and Rose her wedding dress. The people that were in the lobby saw us and said how beautiful my wife looked and how handsome I was. When Rose and I entered our room, we couldn't believe how amazing it was! It was like if we went back into time! Back to the 1920s or 30's! I'll never forget how awesome and magnificent The Breakers Hotel was and still is!

@HwangSu22 8 лет назад

Thank you for sharing your research works. I'm now doing the coastal design studio in USC, your video really helped me a lot.

@appeasebuildersco.1997 6 лет назад

Thank you for sharing! I love going back to the past.

@Tundigirl Год назад

Thank you so much for this. Beautiful presentation.

@bbryant2503 2 года назад

I lived on ocean blvd as a child/adolescent between gaviota & cherry and I remember as a young child the green roof of the riviera was the North Star for my sister and I when we took shortcuts home from anywhere downtown.

@arias6720 6 лет назад

Thanks and good music

@andymann1667 7 лет назад

I wish you would have included The Wilmore on Cedar and 3 rd. It was the first apartment I lived on my own. It was featured in many episodes of the Ally My Beal TV show.

@PennsylvaniaHistoryBuff 12 лет назад

Great vid! I love digging thru the history of LB. Balboa Studios and the silent film era of LB is my fav subject to delve into.

@loe2doe 10 лет назад

Truly loved this video .. was born in saint Mary's hospital in 1984 and still to this point haven't truly accomplished all the history of the beautiful city that raised me ..knowing that there is still history of back when it was born just brings joy!! ..proud to be from long beach ca, .... !!

@LittleLadyLaLa 9 лет назад

Bravo! What a fantastic look at some of the most beautiful buildings in Long Beach. Than you for the tour.

@galaxie6000 10 лет назад

That's great. Thanks for such a lovely little presentation. I used to live at the Gaytonia and the Villa Riviera and they are truly unique buildings and a rich part of Long Beach history.

@briane173 5 лет назад

I forgot about the Gaytonia and that's surprising, since I lived two blocks from the Gaytonia on Prospect Ave. The house with the three dormers on the roof in front.

@nofatebutwhatwemake9880 2 года назад

Very well done. I see you did this in 2012, 10 years ago now.... I've only lived in Long Beach since 2003, so I'm no native, but I've always lived close to downtown, so I'm familiar with all of the buildings you mentioned. I just have to say that I think the most beautiful and artistic building in America were built during the 20s and 30s. The hotels today don't even compare. It saddens me to think about all the buildings that were lost to the 1933 earthquake in Long Beach. Glad the Ebell Club was restored. I used to drive and/or walk by it everyday. Thanks for the video! It's obvious from the comments that you made a lot of people very happy!

@Keithbythesea 2 года назад

Thank you for the nice compliment! Wow, now that you mention it, it has been nearly 10 years since I created this presentation... how time flies! I agree with you, I think the buildings and hotels from the 20s - 30s were more beautiful than what is built today. Living close to downtown LB, you probably know that The Breakers Hotel on Ocean is going through a complete renovation and there are plans to return it to its former glory - a 185 room luxury hotel. When I toured it in 2012 for this video, it was an assisted living facility for senior citizens (which closed in 2015) with the Sky Room bar and restaurant still operating on the top floor. Thanks again for your nice comment! Here's a link to info on the remodel. www.lbheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LBH_FallNewsletter2019_final.pdf

@martindodds7458 10 лет назад

Great job! And Thankyou.

@r.c.anderson5632 6 лет назад

This was very enjoyable. Thank you!

@MaxsCharlotte 11 лет назад

Excellent video! Thank you so much for posting this.

@lngbchmike 10 лет назад

Thanks for posting. I love this stuff! It makes me so nostalgic for all the lost buildings, but happy that we still have these great ones too!

@ladyinafjsuzyq7417 4 года назад

Thank you for taking us and giving us a glimpse into the past...Love the music...💗⚘🤗

@kerryincolumbus 7 лет назад

GREAT VIDEO Keith!

@waynejohnson1304 6 лет назад

Awesome that these magnificent buildings were preserved. Thank you for videoing them.

@matthewramsey5239 Год назад

This is so rad! Thank you!!!!!❤

@Keithbythesea Год назад

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

@LetYrLiteShine 5 лет назад

Excellent video. Thanks for all your hard work on this.

@Keithbythesea 5 лет назад

LetYrLiteShine thank you!

@micheal1976 16 дней назад

Hello, Keith! Great video! Have you considered doing an updated version of this segment?

@sirjohnsteed2573 7 лет назад

This was fabulous, thanks so much!

@Keithbythesea 7 лет назад

Thank you! It was a fun creating this presentation

@280StJohnsPl 7 лет назад

Nice ! Love The Breakers..... my wife and I visited LB recently after being stationed there many years ago. Had to take a walk to see The Breakers....beautiful building as is Long Beach

@lohphat 4 года назад

Born in Long Beach. My grandfather owned several restaurants there, the Leilani Hut in Belmont Shore where Legends is now, the Gay 90’s on Signal Hill, and The Hawaiian. When you see the floating Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay every year, it was also him who built and floated the first one.

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

Thank You for the compliment and glad you enjoyed the presentation! I Hope to profile some of the grand private homes in long Beach too sometime in the future!

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

Thank you for watching! I'm glad it brought back memories for you and was informative!

@almeggs3247 5 лет назад

Great music of the era. Well Done!

@Keithbythesea 5 лет назад

Thank you for the nice compliment!

@dsantos10 3 года назад

Great video, thank you for your time and effort

@Keithbythesea 3 года назад

thank you! glad you enjoyed it

@adictedgaming5382 7 лет назад

Long beach is awesom

@god8575 6 лет назад

except for the crime

@TheFriarGamer208 6 лет назад

Long Beach sucks

@alexdelrio45 10 лет назад

Fantastic video and music!!

@azriel562 7 лет назад

In 1996 I came to Long Beach for my first time, from Los Angeles. I was walking east Océan Blvd and when I did see the Villa Riviera Building. I knew than I should live in this wonderful city. I am here from February 1997. I love this city.

@rgsfield 7 лет назад

What an interesting presentation; I've admired several of these buildings on Long Beach visits over the years and wondered about their history. And as another comment noted, the period music is just perfect in capturing the elegant era of these wonderful structures.

@Keithbythesea 7 лет назад

Yes, I searched for old recordings of music from that bygone era until I found what I thought would fit. There are more vintage buildings in our city that I didn't have time to research and include in the presentation. Glad you enjoyed it!

@edwardjames50 8 лет назад

OMG, Keith, you are the best! Thank you for this, including the exquisite music.

@Keithbythesea 8 лет назад

My pleasure! ... it was fun doing the research for this video. Thanks for the compliment

@knotryder 12 лет назад

Excellent video

@PeterT1981 6 лет назад

Very nice! The research, music and editing are superb. Truly enjoyed that!

@Keithbythesea 6 лет назад

Thank you for the nice compliment! This was an interesting project taking the photos and researching the history of these buildings. An update on the Breakers Hotel (the 2nd building profiled) - it was closed as a retirement home in 2015 and there are now plans to reopen it as a new hotel: la.curbed.com/2018/1/12/16880818/long-beach-hotel-breakers-renovation-pacific6

@1984kimba 10 лет назад

Thank you for this, from a former Long Beach resident (1980s). Such a gorgeous city to live in. I'm looking forward to your profile of homes!

@michaelvigil5321 Год назад

Crazy seeing the riviera stand by itself with at most 2 story buildings lining the coast neighboring the building, now today 4 story apartments to the east and high rise buildings to the west. Also seeing how far out they built the coast for the pike and aquarium.

@Starflite07 10 лет назад

thank you

@nakfx134 11 лет назад

thank you for this video! I've always wondered the history behind many of Long Beach's historical buildings. I hope one day I can live in one! :)

@pnk878251 12 лет назад

i love this vid ...i have watched it a few times over...i love the ebell building..it reminds me of a place in albuquerque i used to walk by on the way to school. i always looked forward to seeing it come around the corner, all grand and lovely...thanks keith. i like this one alot....;0) and the breakers...omg....i could just stand and look at that all day..

@commercialrealtor2510 9 лет назад

Thanks for sharing. I was always curious. How come you didn't include The Willmore? Just curious

@christopherogden2481 8 лет назад

Great music!

@gRosh08 6 лет назад

Very Nice.

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

You are very welcome... glad you enjoyed it! It was very interesting to research the history of these old buildings, many of which I pass by often when I walk around town. Thanks for watching!

@bartakin 4 года назад

wow beauty...

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

It's really incredible how much history is in our town! In the 25 yrs I have lived here, I have always admired the old vintage buildings in my neighborhood and that is why I created this presentation. Thanks for your nice comment and for watching!

@leendadll 3 года назад

Wonderful vid of LB's iconic buildings!! One of my fav aspects of the Villa Riviera is the interior elevator buttons, particularly the "earthquake" button!! I also loved visiting the Sky Room, with the elevator attendants in retro uniforms, and climbing (drink in hand) up the scary stairs to the top of what I now know was a military defense point!!

@Keithbythesea 3 года назад

You may or may not know that Breakers, including the famous Sky Room on the top floor, is in the process of being completely renovated into an independent, boutique hotel and is to reopen sometime in 2021: lbpost.com/longbeachize/addison-renderings-breakers-hotel-sky-room

@janlloyd6138 12 дней назад

I wish you guys would show at the villa riviera which was so close to the ocean how did they manage to make the walk to the beach so much farther, my head hurts from thinking about it. Great video, ty!

@tertiary7 6 лет назад

thanks for keeping this updated with the closed captions. good to know the breakers has a new owner. hopefully they blast that white paint off of it.

@nickpoolsaad2234 4 года назад

Long Beach a wonderful city THEN & NOW ,remembered when worked in The Breakers for those offices in 1990's didn't know up on top have a nice and famous restaurant until watched this film.

@Keithbythesea 4 года назад

Breaker's is now being completely renovated, including a new Sky Room, with a planned reopening in 2021. lbpost.com/longbeachize/addison-renderings-breakers-hotel-sky-room

@Keithbythesea 12 лет назад

@AndreasVintageImage I have always had an affinity for vintage homes and buildings and always happy to see when they are refurbished and maintained throughout the years. Glad you enjoyed the presentation and thank you for your nice comment!

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

Yes, there is a lot of history in Long Beach, It is the oldest beach community in Southern California. Thanks for watching!

@masterwiccan9840 10 лет назад

Yep...Growing up in Long Beach (60's-80's) but living elsewhere now. The iconic Villa Riviera Building will ALWAYS be Long Beach to me

@CraigCleaveland 9 лет назад

Thanks Keith! I have a photo of myself as little kid in 1957 with the Villa Riviera in the background. The topmost steeple had a garish "Hotel" sign attached which I have not seen in any other photo, so I presume it was short lived. At that time it was adjacent to a very nice beach side park with benches (instead of Shoreline Drive).

@longbchrentals 9 лет назад

Craig Cleaveland Glad you enjoyed it Craig! The city sure brought in a lot of landfill to create Shoreline Drive and the land for Shoreline Village and all the shops and restaurants! I would have loved to have been living in LB back in the day when the surf and beach met Ocean Blvd. at that point. Thanks for watching!

@the-btc-tradingfloor2808 9 месяцев назад

How cool

@bellelune1818 4 года назад

I would go to Long Beach once in a while in my life but the few times that I did I would noticed the old vintage places but wonder what story they had behind them I’m glad someone did just that❤️

@Keithbythesea 4 года назад

Thank you for the compliment! When I have some time, I'd like to do another presentation profiling some of the other vintage buildings in Long Beach

@Keithbythesea 11 лет назад

Thanks for the nice compliment. Sounds like your Great Grandmother lived in the Lafayette building not long after it was built in 1929. It's the 3rd building profiled in the video. And I agree. It is wonderful when you can associate an historical place with a person, especially when it is someone in your own family! Thanks for watching! Cheers.........

@MarvelousWesty 6 лет назад

Really want to visit LB now

@Keithbythesea 12 лет назад

@ThePrimeSpotcom Thanks for your nice comment and glad you enjoyed my presentation! I'm not sure whether the gargoyle photo is by Metivier or not. Of the photos I did not take myself, I found at "Google images"after searching what seemed like hours on-line!

@paulb217 4 года назад

Long Beach has so much to offer; both manmade and nature made. It is also a great place to live (not too many decent jobs left around!!) Sometimes; as I bike around the shore wonder about the older structures around; today I got some answers!!

@Keithbythesea 12 лет назад

@knotryder Why thanks! It was a an interesting project doing the research and putting it altogether.