Harbor View House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harbor View House |
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Harbor View House
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| Location | 921 Beacon St., San Pedro, Los Angeles, California |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architectural style(s) | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Governing body | private |
| Designated | August 25, 1982 |
| Reference no. | 252 |
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The Harbor View House is a special building in San Pedro, a part of Los Angeles, California. It used to be called the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A.. This building is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, which means it's an important historical place in Los Angeles. It's located near the Port of Los Angeles, high up on a hill overlooking the harbor. The building has five stories and is built in the beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival style.
Contents
A Look Back: The Building's History
Serving the Military Community
The building first opened in 1926 as the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. It was a fun place for soldiers and sailors, especially those from Fort MacArthur. It had 300 rooms where servicemen could stay. There was also a gym, a running track, and a big room for parties. You could find a patio, a pool, and even rooms for boxing and wrestling. There was also a coffee shop.
A Busy Place During World War II
During World War II, this Y.M.C.A. was very busy. Over four million servicemen visited it for fun and a place to stay. Famous people like Bob Hope and Lucille Ball also visited. After the war, in 1947, the building started to welcome everyone. It offered rooms to young travelers and older people.
Helping the Community as Harbor View House
From September 1967 until November 2018, the building was known as the Harbor View House. During this time, it served as a home for people who needed special support for their mental well-being. It was a licensed facility that could house many residents. A non-profit group called HealthView owned and ran the building. They also had a clinic inside that offered mental health services.
Repairs and Changes Over Time
In 1994, the building needed important repairs after the Northridge earthquake. This type of repair is called a seismic retrofit, which makes buildings safer during earthquakes. During these repairs, the swimming pool was filled in. New offices were built in the space where the pool used to be. Even with these changes, some original parts of the building are still there. You can still see the old coffee shop, the gymnasium, and the running track.
What's Happening Now: The Building Today
New Plans for the Future
In April 2018, the Harbor View House was sold to a new owner. This new owner is a developer who plans to change the historic building. The idea is to turn it into a place with both homes and businesses. The HealthView organization was allowed to rent the building until July 2019.
Empty and Awaiting Renovation
However, in November 2018, the elevator in the building stopped working. Because of this, all the residents of Harbor View House had to move out. As of August 2025, the building is empty. It is waiting for the new owner to start the planned renovations.
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