HISTORY OF VILLA RIVIERA

THE VILLA RIVIERA

By : PAUL GAILLARD

The Villa Riviera, is located on the corner of Ocean Boulevard, Shoreline Drive and Alamitos, in Long Beach. The Villa was completed in 1929. The structural Engineer was H. C. Whittlsey and the Architect was Richard D. King. Mr. King, designed many industrial, commercial, governmental and residential buildings during his career which include: Vernon Power & Light co, Vernon City Hall, Italian Consulate in San Francisco, Bijou Theater in Hermosa Beach and many others and, was the recipient of an Architectural award for his Goth-Norman Design at the Paris Exposition in mid 1930's. Financing for the Hotel was obtain from local investors led by Joseph M. Shenk and Norma Talmage (the silent screen star). When the Villa was completed MS Talmage occupied a Penthouse there for a number of years.

The Villa was, until the completion of the Los Angeles City Hall, the tallest building between Santa Barbara and San Diego. To this day the Villa is the Standard for height for new buildings built East of Shore line Drive on Ocean Blvd. The United States Geological Survey designates the Villa as of reference point and it is included on the maps as a check point for Oceanic surveys.

The building is of concrete and steel construction. At the time the building was completed it offered approximately 103,000 Sqft of livable space which included two story penthouses in both the north and west wings. MS Talmage was the occupant of the north wing which is the only suite in the hotel that included a fireplace (At the present time part of the Talmage Suite is still original, especially that part on the 16th floor).

The other unit is a two-story 1 bedroom unit in the center of the building, which during construction was built at the request of a bachelor for his use as a Seaside apartment designed for him with a 35 foot living room and beamed ceiling.

The main entry to the Villa is in the shape of a heptagon with a domed ceiling and travertine floor. The leads to a sunken lobby with travertine floors. "The Villa combines the best of home living, beach atmosphere and a since of history." decahedron in shape (10 sides with numerous arches and oval casement windows. The hallways and staircases surround the lobby use Georgian Marble. Gothic-Norman design is used throughout the building.

The use and ownership of the Villa Riviera has changed over time. During World War II the Navy leased several of the floors to billet officers.

The Villa was built as a Cooperative Apartment with a very clear set of ownership rules:

(quoted from the Original Sales Brochure published in 1928)

	Each owner pays merely his pro-rata share of costs of operation and carrying charges of his apartment-home, including taxes, steam heat, automatic refrigeration, etc.
	Each purchaser is protected as to the character of any and all of original and subsequent occupants.
	The general management of the building is under the supervision of the Board of Governors.
	The owner, however, has the same control and direction over matters connected with the enjoyment of his own apartment that he would have in a private residence property in a highly restricted neighborhood i.e., only such restrictions are placed upon the use of one's property as will operate to the benefit of the entire group of tenants. In the Villa Riviera, the most advanced type of co-operative apartment ownership, the restrictions are in reality and enforced code of thoughtfulness.