Villa Riviera

The Villa Riviera was constructed in 1929 as a luxury residential cooperative. At the time, it was the second-tallest building in Southern California after the Los Angeles City Hall. Construction costs exceeded two million dollars. Late Architect Richard D. King won the grand prize at an international contest for the design of the sixteen-story building. Its architectural design style, as described in its original brochure, stated “it will savor of the majestic Tudor Gothic, but with a marked feeling of French and Italian Renaissance, all blended into a composite grace of line that will overshadow any single decorative detail.” Ever since its construction, Chateauesque Villa Riviera has been an iconic landmark of the Long Beach oceanfront.

The building underwent restoration in the 2000s. Spectra Company completed a wide scope of restoration services for this job including a complete re-creation of the ornate original bronze doors that were lost during the World War II era. Spectra re-created the decorative doors from historic photographs. In addition, many of the grotesques that adorned the top of the building were re-created from molds made from extant figures. The building is a Long Beach Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Scope of Work

Architectural Woodwork • Concrete Repair • Decorative Concrete • Decorative Metal • Decorative Paintings & Murals • Facade Rehabilitation • Lighting & Chandeliers • Masonry • Metal Door • Metal Windows • Ornamental Plaster • Plaster • Sculptures • Selective Demolition/Abatement • Self-Perform • Structural Retrofit • Waterproofing/Roofing • Wood Windows

Awards

California Preservation Foundation 2011 • Long Beach Heritage 2008 • Los Angeles Conservancy 2011