The Southern California-based historic preservation firm, Spectra Company, received an award for its Villa Riviera project in Long Beach from Los Angeles Conservancy.

Rising sixteen stories along the shoreline of Long Beach, the 1929 Villa Riviera is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The building’s Chateauesque design garnered international recognition for architect Richard D. King.

By 2007, the stately structure needed some major restoration, made possible by a passionate group of homeowners and a devoted board of directors. The top-to-bottom exterior work included removing ten layers of lead-based paint, repairing or replacing decorative plaster, treating 1,600 steel-framed windows, waterproofing, and more.

Six of the forty-two life-size Grotesque statues on the roof had to be recast from molds—and installed in place, sixteen stories above ground. The team used historic photographs to faithfully recreate the original, highly detailed, massive bronze doors at the main entrance. Extensive research uncovered the building's original color scheme.

This major feat returned the Villa Riviera to her rightful place as the grand dame of the Long Beach coastline, enhancing the city’s cultural heritage and inspiring civic pride.