Today we are in the middle of downtown Long Beach.  Although I am a SoCal gal I had not been back to LB since I was a chiquita and checked out the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose way back in the day.  I had no idea that LB also had so much architectural beauty  in its downtown.

Many of the buildings had such wonderful details and beautiful entances.
Ocean Center Building
completed : 1929
architectural style : Art deco, Spanish revival 
Designed by the great Los Angeles architects, Meyer & Holler who also built the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Grauman's Egyptian theatre also in Hollywood.

F&M Building
design: Beaux-Arts
designed by : Los Angeles architects, Aleck Curlett and Claud Beelman
opened: 1923
"Curlett and Beelman's design for the bank was typical of the early 1920s when financial institutions were mainly constructed in classical styles in order to present impressive facades to passersby. A bank that resembled a Greek or Roman temple connoted stability to potential customers."

Security Pacific Building
design: Beaux-Arts
built in 1924
               designed by : Los Angeles architects, Aleck Curlett and Claud Beelman
This was formerly a Masonic Temple and although it is a bit hard to see here, there are compasses and square that frame that center gable which is a Masonic symbol.
I love the art deco motifs of this building.

































































How did you like our tour today?  If you would like to indulge more in all the beauty, you can pick up this fabulous book.   
Where are your favorite architectural gems?