HELP THE VILLA RIVIERA GARGOYLES RESTORE THEIR ORIGINAL SPACE
The completion of the historic restoration of the Villa Riviera in Long Beach is being defaced by some remaining non-conforming and un-permitted iron railings -- erected some time in the 1990s on the top East & West sides of the North wing, on common area exterior windows' ledges -- because of an preliminary injunction placed in Los Angeles Court.
The Villa Riviera building completed in 1929 is a prominent Long Beach historical icon and City Landmark. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The Villa Riviera Owners supporting the Restoration and Conservation of the Building consider themselves its keepers and frequently share it with the community through open houses and free use of their facilities.
The building is completing a remarkable restoration of its exterior bringing it back to its 1929 glory; for about 15 months some 14 layers of paint have been stripped, decorative plaster painstakingly restored and some thousand gallons of paint used to re-paint and bring back the original colors.
The Owners are unable to complete the full restoration of the exterior due to a preliminary injunction placed by ONE owner (out of 134), has stopped the Association from retrofitting the railings and bringing them into Code compliance.
The Villa Riviera was built in the Châteauesque architectural style by Architect Richard D. King; a style that became fashionable in the 1880s due to the influence of New York City's famed Vanderbilt mansion (1879, Richard Morris Hunt). The style was used to a limited extent in Long Beach and the Villa Riviera stands as the most monumental example of the Châteauesque style remaining, in the City of Long Beach and the region.
The façade of the building consists of alternating bays of flat planes and projecting bay windows. Fifteen vertical bays of full building height symmetrically surround the building, crowned at the top by fifteen pairs of gargoyles, physically paired by a decorative pedestal, standing on massive windows' sills -- a prominent feature of the Châteauesque style.
These gargoyles stand in pairs, free and detached from the building's façade except for four pairs of these gargoyles where these non-conforming railings have been installed, encumbering and altering their space and destroying the symmetry and rhythm of the building's architecture. This could impact the historic qualities that render the Villa Riviera a National Register listed property.
The architect, Richard D. King, referred to them (gargoyles) as his beloved gargoyles, standing free and unattached at the top of the building gazing protectively on all directions.
Help us keep all of King's beloved gargoyles free and restore their original space. Help us complete the full restoration of the building's exterior.
To view photographs of the gargoyles please click on the link:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=15m1civz.rmd86hr&x=0&y=-vfnie4&localeid=en_US
The completion of the historic restoration of the Villa Riviera in Long Beach is being defaced by some remaining non-conforming and un-permitted iron railings -- erected some time in the 1990s on the top East & West sides of the North wing, on common area exterior windows' ledges -- because of an preliminary injunction placed in Los Angeles Court.
The Villa Riviera building completed in 1929 is a prominent Long Beach historical icon and City Landmark. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The Villa Riviera Owners supporting the Restoration and Conservation of the Building consider themselves its keepers and frequently share it with the community through open houses and free use of their facilities.
The building is completing a remarkable restoration of its exterior bringing it back to its 1929 glory; for about 15 months some 14 layers of paint have been stripped, decorative plaster painstakingly restored and some thousand gallons of paint used to re-paint and bring back the original colors.
The Owners are unable to complete the full restoration of the exterior due to a preliminary injunction placed by ONE owner (out of 134), has stopped the Association from retrofitting the railings and bringing them into Code compliance.
The Villa Riviera was built in the Châteauesque architectural style by Architect Richard D. King; a style that became fashionable in the 1880s due to the influence of New York City's famed Vanderbilt mansion (1879, Richard Morris Hunt). The style was used to a limited extent in Long Beach and the Villa Riviera stands as the most monumental example of the Châteauesque style remaining, in the City of Long Beach and the region.
The façade of the building consists of alternating bays of flat planes and projecting bay windows. Fifteen vertical bays of full building height symmetrically surround the building, crowned at the top by fifteen pairs of gargoyles, physically paired by a decorative pedestal, standing on massive windows' sills -- a prominent feature of the Châteauesque style.
These gargoyles stand in pairs, free and detached from the building's façade except for four pairs of these gargoyles where these non-conforming railings have been installed, encumbering and altering their space and destroying the symmetry and rhythm of the building's architecture. This could impact the historic qualities that render the Villa Riviera a National Register listed property.
The architect, Richard D. King, referred to them (gargoyles) as his beloved gargoyles, standing free and unattached at the top of the building gazing protectively on all directions.
Help us keep all of King's beloved gargoyles free and restore their original space. Help us complete the full restoration of the building's exterior.
To view photographs of the gargoyles please click on the link:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=15m1civz.rmd86hr&x=0&y=-vfnie4&localeid=en_US
We the undersigned express our support for the completion of the exterior restoration of the Villa Riviera and commend the owners for its undertaking.
The City of Long Beach must enforce its Codes and help the owners complete the restoration of the exterior of their building by ordering the retrofit of the non-permitted railings and bringing them into Building Code compliance.
The Villa Riviera gargoyles must once again stand free and unencumbered as they were designed to be. The gargoyles and the building are a source of pride to our City and it's a historical icon.
We respectfully request that Long Beach City leaders show support not only as elected officials but as concerned individuals of this great City and help the Villa Riviera owners by ordering City staff to enforce the building codes.
Sincerely,
The Petition Signers
Hermosa Beach has several buildings designed Mr. King including the Bijou theatre building which we designated an histaorical landmark. Keeping his wonderful designs true to their original concepts is important for all of us. His daughter Margaret Koenig McAlpine assisted by describing the gargoyles in their correct positions on the structure. It would be a shame to mess it up now when it's so close to being a really good restoration.
The Villa Riviera would not be the same without its gargoyles; as Long Beach would not be the same without this historic piece of history, the Villa Riviera. Having lived in Long Beach for most of my life, I've found that this mystical building has always fascinated and intrigued my family, friends and myself. It is definately a reminder of our intricate past that must be preserved for future generations.
Wow in a very short 20 years this building will be 100 years old. Within that twenty years their is plenty of time to restore the whole building to the beautiful landmark it should remain to be.
I am a native of Long beach--born 1936 at Seaside Hospital, lived at 144 Glendora Ave. (Belmont shore)until 1949. I taught at Long Beach Poly from 1963 to 1967. The Villa Riviera will always be "Long Beach" to me, and it should be restored to its original condition since it is a designated historical landmark.
Restoring the Villa Riviera is very important to me as it is a building, opposite my own, that I look at every day. I am thrilled with the restoration so far, including replacing the missing gargoyles. However, I would like to see the missing ironwork replaced, and/or non-conforming work removed. Also, I would like to see the fenestration all returned to the original design with appropriate mullions, some of which have been removed for the sake of "picture windows" that to not fit with the style of the building.
All aspects of the great restoration should be taken into considering (gargoyles included) - one dissention from one shouldn't stop progress desired by the majority.
Gargoyles are part of this historical building. Please preserve it...
Without question the Villa Riviera has historical significance. Failure to preserve, and whenever possible restore the attributes which made the building what it is, would be a failure to ourselves and future generation. Selfish and irresponsible acts erode and dismiss the contributions of the architect and all who tirelessly labored to build a magnificent structure.
As a local resident I think its important for us as a community to support the proper restoration of our cities historic architecture. The Villa Riviera Building is one of our most visible landmarks, and I applaud the buildings owners for their efforts to restore the building to it 1929 appearance and for complying with recognized standards.
As Villa owners,we support the conforming completion of the historic restoration of this building. We believe this restoration project will make a difference for Long Beach.
i live accross the street from the villa rivera and think the gargoyles are the most important part of the building. it gives it it's character
These are a part of Long Beach history and should be respected! Don't steal the soul of Long Beach!!! RESTORE THE GARGOYLES TO THEIR ORIGINAL FORM AND POSITION. Loose the railings.
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We most not discard the past, rather, we should restore, preserve, retain and honor it. What once was can teach us, simply because it is not now.
How can the voice of one over-rule the voice of all others and prevent this amazing restoration from moving forward. Seriously, this project needs to be completed the right way so that the beauty and history can be preserved for generations.
Save the historical history. Once it's gone it's gone forever. We need history to remind us of our past and help us with our future. MM
Restoring this building to it's former condition should be a priority.
