Long Beach : Preservation of 4 Buildings

The City Council has approved a report encouraging the preservation of four buildings previously identified as Long Beach’s most valuable historical structures: the Ocean Center Building, the Villa Riviera, the Breakers Hotel and the Adelaide Tichenor Residence, all on Ocean Boulevard.

The recommendations, prepared by the Redevelopment Agency, suggest that the city give local landmark status to those buildings that do not already have it, while also seeking the buildings’ inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Noting that most of the buildings need strengthening by 1991 to conform with earthquake hazard regulations, the report suggests the city advise building owners on how to meet the requirements, and consider giving them financial help.

Among the report’s other recommendations: the Redevelopment Agency should monitor the proposed conversion of the Breakers into senior citizen housing to ensure that renovation work is in keeping with the hotel’s architectural character; the City Council should consider changing the Cultural Heritage Ordinance to prohibit demolition of a designated local landmark without prior approval of replacement plans and the execution of financing and operating agreements, and the city should lobby the owner of the Tichenor residence to renovate and preserve the 2-story, 1904 home, even if that involves the house’s relocation.

Two other buildings deemed worthy of preservation, the Pacific Coast Club and the Jergins Trust Building, have already fallen to the wrecker’s ball.