§ 16.52.780. The Gaytonia Apartment 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 historical landmark in the City: The Gaytonia Apartment Building.

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Located at 212 Quincy Avenue in the City of Long Beach, the "Gaytonia" is a twenty-seven (27) unit, "U" shape plan apartment building prominently sited at the corner of Quincy and Shaw Streets in Belmont Heights, designed in Norman Revival/English Tudor style.

The "Gaytonia" consists of three (3) stories of apartments along Quincy Street, with the sloping grade to the rear providing space for a thirty-six (36) car semi-subterranean garage. Two (2) large roof patios, accessible from inside, are visible from the rear.

The stucco exterior contains pseudo-stone quoins, and pseudo-halftimber at the third story. The overhanging upper story is set on corbels, with a varied or broken eave line above the pointed windows. A steeply pitched hip roof, of simulated slate composition, tops the building. The symmetrical design is broken by an asymmetrical corner turret with a conical roof, and the rooftop tower upon which there is a large metal scaffold supporting a neon sign, "Gaytonia," in Gothic script. The sign, original to the building, no longer illuminates. Multi-paned metal casement windows of various sizes are used. An oriel window, resting on corbels and with a battlement trim on top, occupies the central recessed bay above the main entrance, while two (2) smaller turrets with metal conical roofs crown the doorway. The door of the main entrance contains a stained glass window, and the entranceway is also flanked on either side by stained glass windows.

Quoins, corbels, battlements, coats of arms and chimney pots add charming decorative elements to the structure. Metal finials on the tower and roof, and a weather vane crowning the main turret have been removed. Otherwise, the "Gaytonia" remains intact, with only minor cosmetic alterations. A fire ladder was added later, in 1957.

The lobby of the "Gaytonia," characterized by wood panelled floors, contains an inglenook and fireplace with Batchelder tile infill. Three (3) pointed arches lead to the hallway, the transition marked by three (3) cross vaults. The hallway is punctuated with arches resting on corbels. Decorative elements include corbels at the lobby ceiling level, and ornate plaster work under crown moldings throughout the hallway. Light sconces shaped like heraldic shields (in the form of a coat of arms or crest) in the lobby, and paintings of a knight in armor and two (2) crests along the hallway wall, add a medieval decorative touch to the interior. Each apartment door is designed with a pointed arch relief and ornate metal door knockers in the coat-of-arms motif. The original wood panelled elevator is still used.

The "Gaytonia" was built in 1930 by owner-contractor, George T. Gayton, who retained ownership until 1956. Gayton was a contractor of buildings along the west coast for several years during the early part of this century. He also built the seven hundred and fifty (750) seat Belmont Theatre in Belmont Shore in 1929, the first in Long Beach to be built for talking pictures.

Reginald Freemont Inwood was the architect for both the "Gaytonia" and the Belmont Theatre. Inwood had an office in Long Beach, although he designed structures throughout the Los Angeles area. His other projects included a Methodist Church in El Segundo (1927), another Methodist Church in Lynwood (1928), and a Baptist Church in Colton (1930).

The "Gaytonia" was constructed at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), a significant amount at the time. The "Gaytonia" was originally an upscale residential building which catered to Naval officers stationed in Long Beach. Although the "Gaytonia" was always an apartment building, it was originally managed like a hotel. Maid and valet service was provided, and each apartment building was furnished, including the provision of linens and dishes.

The large scale, including the height and bulk, of the "Gaytonia" and the prominent position it occupies, set on a hill, make the "Gaytonia" a dominant element in the Belmont Heights neighborhood. The conspicuous "Gaytonia" sign is visible from several vantage points in the Belmont Shore area, identifying the building to passersby.

Because the building has been well-preserved and maintained, it is an excellent example of the Norman Revival style. The structure is unique to the Long Beach area in its style, character and picturesque architectural details. Other Long Beach buildings, such as the Pacific Coast Club (1926) in the Norman style, and the Villa Riviera (1929) in the Chateauesque style, while similar to the "Gaytonia" in some respects, (such as the use of hip roofs, turrets, conical caps and corbels), differ from the building in their larger scale and in their more formal architectural treatments and character. The "Gaytonia" is characterized by a more "rustic" appearance, with its pseudo-halftimber style and pointed arches. The "Gaytonia" also exhibits richer detailing than other Chateauesque buildings of similar scale.

B.

The Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" are incorporated by reference, and shall serve as standards and guidelines for future exterior changes to the building. All exterior changes, whether or not they require a building permit, shall require a certificate of appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Commission. Any alterations, modifications or repair of the structure shall be consistent with the character-defining architectural features, and shall not adversely affect the historical materials, design or detailing.

(Ord. C-6988 § 1, 1992)