Downtown Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach
Downtown Long Beach
Neighborhood
	Aerial view of downtown Long Beach, California, looking southwest. San Pedro Bay and the Port of Long Beach are visible beyond, with Catalina Island faintly visible on the horizon.
	Downtown Long Beach Downtown Long Beach Downtown Long Beach Downtown Long Beach Downtown Long Beach
	Coordinates: 33°46′20″N 118°11′37″W / 33.7721°N 118.1935°W
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
City	Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach, California, United States is the location for most of the city's major tourist attractions, municipal services and for numerous businesses. There are many hotels and restaurants in the area that serve locals, tourists, and convention visitors.

Location

Downtown Long Beach is bounded by the Los Angeles River to the west, and Ocean Boulevard to the south (south of Ocean is considered the "Downtown Shoreline", a separate area^[1]). Alamitos Avenue roughly delimits downtown to the east, although the City's actual downtown zoning extends a few blocks east of Alamitos.^[2] Similarly, downtown effectively ends around 7th Street to the north, but the City's downtown zoning carries as far north as Anaheim Street between Pacific Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, and up to 10th Street east of that.^[2]

The greater downtown area includes the neighborhoods of the East Village Arts District, the West End, North Pine, the Civic Center, and the "Downtown Core" or central business and entertainment area.^[2]

Tourist attractions and shopping

Aquarium of the Pacific
Catalina Express – boats to Catalina Island
East Village Arts District
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
Terrace Theater
Long Beach Sports Arena (which has one of Wyland's Whaling Walls)
Long Beach Plaza – shopping
Museum of Latin American Art
The Pike – shopping
Pine Avenue — restaurants and nightclubs
Queen Mary – historic ship, hotel, restaurants & conventions (nearby)
Rainbow Harbor – shopping and restaurants
Shoreline Village – shopping and restaurants
Harvey Milk Promenade Park

Events

Second Saturday Art Walk (East Village)
Third Fridays Twilight Walk (Historic Pine Avenue)
Certified Organic Farmers Market (Fridays)
Bob Marley Reggae Festival (February)
Queen Mary Scottish Festival (February)
Congressional Cup (sailing races, April)
Long Beach Grand Prix & Formula DRIFT (April)
Cajun & Zydeco Festival (May)
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade & Festival (May)
Aloha Concert Jam (Hawaiian music, June)
Anime Expo or AX (SPJA) (Promotion of Japanese Animation & Culture July 2 to July 6)
Catalina Ski Race (July)

2028 Summer Olympics

During the 2028 Summer Olympics, downtown Long Beach will host Sailing, water polo, triathlon and open water swimming.^[3]

Government and infrastructure

Local government

County, state, and federal representation

Long Beach Main Post Office, located at 300 Long Beach Boulevard^[4]
Los Angeles Superior Court Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse^[5]

Businesses

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance manages the business- and commercial property-based improvement districts in Downtown Long Beach. There are approximately 1,500 businesses in Downtown Long Beach, including several law firms given the proximity of the Los Angeles County Courthouse, as well as over 150 restaurants, wine bars, performing arts venues, and the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. A complete and frequently updated business directory is available online at Downtown Long Beach Alliance's website.

The California State University system headquarters are at 401 Golden Shore in Downtown Long Beach.^[6]

Revitalization Projects

Outdated office buildings that have reached the end of their competitive life-cycle are finding a new beginning as residential conversions.^[7] In 2014 the city's Municipal Code provided for Adaptive Reuse, which is a "construction or remodeling project that reconfigures existing spaces, structures or buildings to accommodate a new use or to accommodate another purpose than what it was originally designed for."^[8] The City created the Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program to guide developers through the process.^[9] Re-purposing a building avoids demolition, sending the structure to landfills, while preserving the historic value and unique architecture of downtown Long Beach. Examples of buildings converted for reuse include the Verizon office building on 200 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach which is changed into a mixed-use apartment building over retail.^[10]

The Long Beach Professional Building, an eight story poured in place concrete Art Deco medical office tower constructed in 1929 and once in danger of being torn down,^[11] was most recently renovated in 2018. The historic building is on the List of City of Long Beach Historic Landmarks and the California Office of Historic Preservation.^[12] The building was accepted in 2005 into the National Register of Historic Places.^[13] The restoration project was conducted by Global Premier Development and KTGY Architecture + Planning. The structure is now called The Regency Palms, an assisted living and memory care facility.^[14]

Refer to the Downtown Update of the Long Beach Development Services for a presentation document showing completed, approved and pending projects.^[15]

Transportation

The following are located in Long Beach's downtown area:

A transit center of Long Beach Transit (bus)
The southern terminus of the Los Angeles Metro Rail A Line: Downtown Long Beach station
The southern end of Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway)
Bus service of Greyhound Lines, Amtrak Thruway, Torrance Transit, LADOT, and LACMTA

From 1902 to 1961, the neighborhood was served by the Pacific Electric Long Beach Line.

Education

Downtown Long Beach is within the Long Beach Unified School District.

Architecture

Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower, Alexander Curlett, Claud Beelman, William Horace Austin^[18]
International Tower (700 E. Ocean Blvd.)
Ocean Club (1310 E. Ocean Blvd.)
The Edison Building (100 Long Beach Blvd.)^[16]
Adelaide M. Tichenor House (Greene and Greene) (852 E. Ocean Blvd.)^[17]
Breakers Hotel (200-220 E. Ocean Blvd.)
Walker's Department Store
First National Bank of Long Beach
Masonic Temple (Long Beach, California) (230 Pine Ave.)
Ocean Center Building (110 W. Ocean Blvd.)
Scottish Rite Cathedral
The Willmore (315 West Third Street)
Villa Riviera (800 E. Ocean Blvd.)

Gallery

Downtown Long Beach
Golden Shore and Ocean Boulevard
Downtown Shoreline, 2009
Pine Avenue
Dr. Rowan Building, constructed 1930^[19]
Insurance Exchange Building
Security Pacific National Bank Building, constructed 1924^[20]
Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower, constructed 1922-1923^[21]^[22]
Pacific Tower, constructed 1923, Renaissance Revival architecture^[23]^[24]
Walker Building, designed by Meyer & Holler^[25]
Californian Apartments^[26]
Lincoln Park, the city's oldest park,^[27] depicted on a postcard, c. 1930-1945
Aerial view, c. 1930
Bird's-eye view looking west on Ocean Avenue, probably photographed from Cooper Arms Apartments, 1924
Ocean Avenue looking southeast from Pine Avenue, c. 1910

References

^ "Downtown Shoreline Planned Development District (PD-6)". lbds.longbeach.gov. City of Long Beach. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Downtown Plan (PD-30)". lbds.longbeach.gov. City of Long Beach. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
^ "GOVERNANCE, LEGAL and VENUE FUNDING - Olympics Watch" (PDF).
^ "Post Office Location - DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
^ "Courthouses in Los Angeles County – Contacts and Locations – LA Court". www.lacourt.org. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
^ Home Page. California State University. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
^ Nahigyan, Pierce (5 October 2018). "Transforming Downtown Long Beach: Converting Office Space To Living Space". www.lbbusinessjournal.com. Long Beach Business Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
^ Long Beach Municipal Code Definition of Adaptive Reuse - eLaws.us
^ Long Beach Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program
^ More apartments added to plan for Long Beach Verizon building
^ Preservation: Lost Long Beach Landmarks
^ California Office of Historic Preservation
^ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
^ Regency Palms Renovation Information
^ 2018 in Review, Downtown Plan Update
^ Edwards, Andrew (25 August 2016). "Former Edison building in downtown Long Beach converted to high-end apartments". Press Telegram.
^ "PCAD - Tichenor, Adelaide M., House, Long Beach, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu.
^ "Farmers & Merchants Bank Tower". City of Long Beach.
^ "Rowan Bradley Building". City of Long Beach.
^ Van Dyke, Jonathan. "Downtown Security Pacific National Bank Converting To Condominums Above Federal Bar". www.Gazettes.com.
^ "PCAD - Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles, Office Building, Long Beach, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu.
^ Keller, Harvey (3 August 2021). "Long Beach Treasures: Farmers and Merchants Bank". YouTube.
^ "Pacific Tower". City of Long Beach.
^ "PCAD - William Horace Austin Jr". pcad.lib.washington.edu.
^ "Walker building". Loftway.
^ "Municode Library". library.municode.com.
^ "Lincoln Park". www.longbeach.gov.

[Downtown_Shoreline-1] "Downtown Shoreline Planned Development District (PD-6)". lbds.longbeach.gov. City of Long Beach. Retrieved 2014-06-18.

[Downtown_Plan-2] "Downtown Plan (PD-30)". lbds.longbeach.gov. City of Long Beach. Retrieved 2014-06-18.

[3] "GOVERNANCE, LEGAL and VENUE FUNDING - Olympics Watch" (PDF).

[4] "Post Office Location - DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.

[5] "Courthouses in Los Angeles County – Contacts and Locations – LA Court". www.lacourt.org. Retrieved 17 June 2020.

[6] Home Page. California State University. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.

[7] Nahigyan, Pierce (5 October 2018). "Transforming Downtown Long Beach: Converting Office Space To Living Space". www.lbbusinessjournal.com. Long Beach Business Journal. Retrieved 11 March 2019.

[8] Long Beach Municipal Code Definition of Adaptive Reuse - eLaws.us

[9] Long Beach Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program

[10] More apartments added to plan for Long Beach Verizon building

[11] Preservation: Lost Long Beach Landmarks

[12] California Office of Historic Preservation

[13] National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

[14] Regency Palms Renovation Information

[15] 2018 in Review, Downtown Plan Update

[16] Edwards, Andrew (25 August 2016). "Former Edison building in downtown Long Beach converted to high-end apartments". Press Telegram.

[17] "PCAD - Tichenor, Adelaide M., House, Long Beach, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu.

[18] "Farmers & Merchants Bank Tower". City of Long Beach.

[19] "Rowan Bradley Building". City of Long Beach.

[20] Van Dyke, Jonathan. "Downtown Security Pacific National Bank Converting To Condominums Above Federal Bar". www.Gazettes.com.

[21] "PCAD - Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles, Office Building, Long Beach, CA". pcad.lib.washington.edu.

[22] Keller, Harvey (3 August 2021). "Long Beach Treasures: Farmers and Merchants Bank". YouTube.

[23] "Pacific Tower". City of Long Beach.

[24] "PCAD - William Horace Austin Jr". pcad.lib.washington.edu.

[25] "Walker building". Loftway.

[26] "Municode Library". library.municode.com.

[27] "Lincoln Park". www.longbeach.gov.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[18]

[16]

[17]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

v t e Olympic venues in cycling
19th century	1896 Marathon (city), Neo Phaliron Velodrome
20th century	1900 Vélodrome de Vincennes 1904 Francis Olympic Field 1908 White City Stadium 1912 Liljeholmen, Mälaren 1920 Antwerp, Vélodrome d'Anvers Zuremborg 1924 Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Vélodrome de Vincennes 1928 Amsterdam, Olympic Stadium 1932 Los Angeles Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Vineyard Avenue 1936 Avus Motor Road, BSV 92 Field & Stadium 1948 Herne Hill Velodrome, Windsor Great Park 1952 Käpylä, Maunula, Pakila, Velodrome 1956 Broadmeadows, Velodrome 1960 Olympic Velodrome, Via Cassia, Via Flaminia, Via Cristoforo Colombo, Via di Grottarossa 1964 Hachioji City, Hachioji Velodrome 1968 Agustín Melgar Olympic Velodrome, Satellite Circuit 1972 Bundesautobahn 96, Grünwald, Radstadion 1976 Mount Royal Park, Olympic Velodrome, Quebec Autoroute 40 1980 Krylatskoye Sports Complex Cycling Circuit, Krylatskoye Sports Complex Velodrome, Moscow-Minsk Highway 1984 Artesia Freeway, Olympic Velodrome, Streets of Mission Viejo 1988 Olympic Velodrome, Tongillo Road Course 1992 A-17 highway, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Sant Sadurní Cycling Circuit, Velòdrom d'Horta 1996 Cycling road course, Georgia International Horse Park, Stone Mountain Park Archery Center and Velodrome
21st century	2000 Centennial Parklands, Dunc Gray Velodrome, Western Sydney Parklands 2004 Athens Olympic Velodrome, Kotzia Square, Parnitha Olympic Mountain Bike Venue, Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre 2008 Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue, Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, Laoshan Velodrome, Urban Road Cycling Course 2012 BMX Circuit, Hadleigh Farm, London Velodrome, Hampton Court Palace 2016 Fort Copacabana, Mountain Bike Centre, Olympic BMX Centre, Pontal, Rio Olympic Velodrome 2020 Izu Velodrome, Izu MTB Course, Fuji Speedway, Ariake Urban Sports Park 2024 Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Champs-Élysées, Colline d'Élancourt 2028 VELO Sports Center, Los Angeles Convention Center, Grand Park, Downtown Long Beach, Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park 2032 Sunshine Coast Region, Alexandra Headland, Queensland, Sleeman Centre, Victoria Park

v t e Olympic venues in swimming
19th century	1896: Bay of Zea
20th century	1900: Seine 1904: Forest Park 1908: White City Stadium 1912: Djurgårdsbrunnsviken 1920: Stade Nautique d'Antwerp 1924: Piscine des Tourelles 1928: Olympic Sports Park Swim Stadium 1932: Swimming Stadium 1936: Olympic Swimming Stadium 1948: Empire Pool 1952: Swimming Stadium 1956: Swimming/Diving Stadium 1960: Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto 1964: National Gymnasium 1968: Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool 1972: Schwimmhalle, Dantebad 1976: Olympic Pool 1980: Swimming Pool - Olimpisky 1984: Olympic Swim Stadium 1988: Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool 1992: Piscines Bernat Picornell 1996: Georgia Tech Aquatic Center
21st century	2000: Sydney International Aquatic Centre 2004: Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre 2008: Beijing National Aquatic Center, Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park 2012: London Aquatics Centre, Hyde Park 2016: Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Fort Copacabana 2020: Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Odaiba Marine Park 2024: Paris La Défense Arena, Pont Alexandre III 2028: SoFi Stadium, Long Beach Waterfront 2032: Brisbane Live, Southport Broadwater Parklands

v t e Olympic venues in water polo
20th century	1900: Seine 1904: Forest Park 1908: White City Stadium 1912: Djurgårdsbrunnsviken 1920: Stade Nautique d'Antwerp 1924: Piscine des Tourelles 1928: Olympic Sports Park Swim Stadium 1932: Swimming Stadium 1936: Olympic Swimming Stadium 1948: Empire Pool (final), Finchley Lido 1952: Swimming Stadium 1956: Swimming/Diving Stadium 1960: Piscina delle Rose, Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto (final) 1964: Tokyo Metropolitan Indoor Swimming Pool 1968: Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool (final), University City Swimming Pool 1972: Dantebad, Schwimmhalle (final) 1976: Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Olympic Pool (final) 1980: Swimming Pool - Moscow, Swimming Pool - Olimpiysky (final) 1984: Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool 1988: Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool 1992: Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc, Piscines Bernat Picornell (final) 1996: Georgia Tech Aquatic Center
21st century	2000: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (women's final), Sydney International Aquatic Centre (men's final) 2004: Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre 2008: Ying Tung Natatorium 2012: Water Polo Arena 2016: Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, Olympic Aquatics Stadium (final) 2020: Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center 2024: Paris Aquatic Centre, Paris La Défense Arena (final) 2028: Long Beach Waterfront 2032: Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Brisbane Live (final)