The historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach opened in 1926. It was designed by Walker and Eisen, the prolific architectural firm behind the James Oviatt Building and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Built in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style, the oceanfront hotel was one of Southern California’s finest luxury hotels upon opening. The hotel featured 330 guest rooms, an elaborate 500-seat banquet room, and a 15-story tower that dominated the city’s skyline, its height emphasized by its proximity to the beach. The hotel’s grand opening marked the beginning of its prominent role in the community.

Its design included elaborate decorative elements, such as cast stone detailing and a grand main lobby. The hotel’s grandeur reflected its status as a center for social and business events in the region. It quickly became known for hosting glamorous gatherings and was a favorite of Hollywood celebrities, including Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, and Clark Gable.

However, the Great Depression and the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake caused extensive damage to the structure. These challenges led to financial struggles, ultimately resulting in bankruptcy. In 1938, Conrad Hilton acquired the property, rebranding it as a Hilton Hotel. During this period, the penthouse was transformed into the Sky Room, a restaurant and lounge that became one of Southern California’s most popular spots. It attracted famous patrons, including Hollywood stars and notable figures from various fields.

In its later years, the Breakers Hotel transitioned between uses as a hotel, retirement home, and, ultimately, senior housing. The hotel closed in the early 2010s, but its legacy remained intact as one of the city’s most recognizable architectural icons.

Two years after its closure, a group of six local Long Beach-based investors decided to purchase the property “to restore the city’s historic landmark to its former purpose and glory.” They worked through complex challenges—including securing historic tax credits—to bring the building back to life. Their vision and dedication ensured that the hotel’s character-defining features were carefully restored. In 2024, after several years of planning and rehabilitation, the Breakers Hotel was reintroduced to the city as the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach.

Key historical elements of the building, such as the plaster and cast stone exterior façade, the main lobby, and the lower arcade level, were preserved. The restoration also included reopening original windows, reconstructing lost storefronts based on historic photographs, and restoring the ground-floor design to its 1926 appearance. On the upper floors, many of the original windows were reopened, and careful work was done to restore guest rooms and public spaces, including the Sky Room, which has been rehabilitated.

This project demonstrates that sometimes the best adaptive reuse is simply returning a historic building to its original purpose. The developer’s vision and commitment to the Breakers Hotel enabled them to attract the right hotel brand for the building, proving that investing in preservation can generate a strong return.

The Conservancy awarded the Fairmount Breakers Long Beach rehabilitation project a 2025 Preservation Award.