Ocean Center Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ocean Center Building |
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| General information | |
| Location | 110 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California |
| Coordinates | 33°45′59.15″N 118°11′33.36″W / 33.7664306°N 118.1926000°W |
| Completed | 1929 |
| Height | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 14 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Meyer & Holler design by Raymond M. Kennedy |
The Ocean Center Building is a tall, 14-story building in downtown Long Beach, California. It stands 197 feet (about 60 meters) high. This historic building was finished in 1929. It was designed by Raymond M. Kennedy for the architecture company Meyer & Holler. Today, it has been converted into modern homes.
Contents
A Look at the Building's Design
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The Ocean Center Building had a unique design when it was first built. It featured two main entrances on the ground floor. One entrance was high up, on Ocean Boulevard. The other was lower, near Pine Avenue, giving easy access to the beach.
Back then, the building was home to many shops, offices, and even parking. At the beach level, there was a shopping area with a restaurant. There was also a large men's clothing store. The upper floors were used for offices and retail businesses.
The building's roofline looks different depending on where you view it. It has battlements, which are like the walls on a castle. These features make the building look a bit like a grand castle.
How the Beach Changed Over Time
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When the Ocean Center Building was new, it was very close to the ocean. However, over many years, the shoreline changed a lot. Projects like building the Long Beach Harbor and a breakwater changed how the sand moved. The Los Angeles River was also straightened.
Because of these changes, the sandy beach grew much wider. By the 1950s, the beach was so wide that a parking lot was built between the building and the water. This area is now called Seaside Way. More land was added, and eventually, Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village were built on this new land. Now, it's a longer walk to reach the ocean from the building.
The Famous Pike Entertainment Area
The Ocean Center Building was once part of a popular entertainment spot called The Pike. This area started as a simple wooden boardwalk on the sand. It connected Pine Street to the Long Beach Pier and a bathhouse.
Over time, The Pike grew into a big amusement zone. It had rides, snack stands, and games. Many tourists visited, and the area appeared in movies and TV shows. The boardwalk was later paved with concrete and lit up with strings of lights. It was then known as The Walk of 1000 Lights. The Ocean Center Building's arcade was often the first exciting sight for visitors heading to this fun area.
Modern Living in a Historic Building
The Ocean Center Building, which once held offices, has been transformed. In 2017, a company called Pacific6 bought the building. They started a project in 2019 to turn it into homes.
This conversion project has created about 80 new residential units. These homes offer access to rooftop terraces. The ground floor, along Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue, now has space for restaurants and shops.
See also
- Jergins Trust Building
