Friday Fun Fact: Villa Riviera

Located on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Drive at 800 E. Ocean Blvd., the Villa Riviera, as it is called, stands proudly as one of Long Beach’s most recognizable buildings. Many think that it is a hotel due to its appearance, but did you know that it is actually a condominium building?

Built in 1928, the Villa Riviera was designated as a historic landmark in the National Register of Historic Places. Under the Mills Act, because the site is designated as a historic property, there are apparently great tax savings in owning a condominium at this location.

In World War II, coastal lookouts used the balcony of this huge, “Tower of Terror” style building to spy out enemy ships offshore.

Another fun fact about this 16-story French Gothic building is that it once housed movie stars