§ 16.52.140. St. Regis Building.

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council designates the following building as an historic landmark in the City: The St. Regis Building.

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Located at 1030 East Ocean Boulevard in the City of Long Beach, the St. Regis Apartment Building is a seventy-six (76) unit, eight-story, brick and masonry high rise structure resting on the ocean front bluff at Ocean Boulevard and Second Place. The penthouse that comprises the eighth floor is rather simple in design compared to the rich architectural components that work together to form the overall Greek motif. An example of such is the ionic entablature that rims the seventh floor. Part of this decoration is a large triangular pediment and boxed cornice which are both detailed with oversized dentils. Symmetrically placed above the main entry on the sixth floor is a shallow balcony with a masonry spoke design, all supported by cement brackets. The flat columns that rise above this are capped by voluted capitals.

The St. Regis Apartment Building is architecturally significant to Long Beach because it is a rare example of the Greek Revival style on this large of a scale. It also represents an example of the early high rise apartment construction along the coastal bluff.

The main entry is unique. The large platform marble stairs rise into the recessed entry that is characterized by a semi-elliptical arch with a keystone. Flanking the entrance on both sides are round columns next to windows that have molded arch trim. While the upper stories are brick with a header bond pattern, the first floor is constructed in cement block and is decorated with a horizontal pattern that radiates from the larger windows. The round columns that support the second story balcony/porch have large bracket type capitals. The balcony rail is made of masonry spindle rails with large square corner posts. The name of the building is boldly imprinted along the center of the balcony. The entrance off of Ocean Boulevard is similar in design, but the facade is dominated by a fire escape that traverses its way down to the Street.

With the exception of a few new window frames and aluminum awnings, the original exterior of the building is intact. The interior of the building has been changed. The larger changes include the moving of apartment walls and/or the combining of two (2) units into one (1).

B.

General Guidelines and Standards for Any Changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the Secretary of the Interior (February, 1978), as amended, are incorporated by reference, and the following additional guidelines and standards as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee are adopted:

Any modifications to the St. Regis Building shall be done so in keeping with its architectural style. The brick and masonry facade with all of the architectural details such as the triangular pediment and boxed cornice that adorn the upper level, the masonry balconies, and the decorative recessed entry ways shall not be modified in character.

No environmental changes shall be made to a designated landmark unless a certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Cultural Heritage Committee or by the City Planning Commission upon appeal, authorizing such environmental change.

(Ord. C-5945 § 1, 1983)