Gaytonia Apartments

Amazing place to live

Let me preface by saying I’ve lived here for over 15 years and that makes me by far the longest-​tenured tenant in the building, so I don’t think you’ll find a better authority than me to review this place.
First, some history. Although I know there are a few gay residents living in the building at any given time (just like any other large apartment building in any decent part of Long Beach) the name does not refer to the homosexual lifestyle. Rather, Gaytonia was named for its original owner and contractor, George T. Gayton. Gayton also built the Belmont Theater in Belmont Shore.
Designed and built in 1930, it’s one of the great examples of Norman Revival style architecture in the vein of other such Chateauesque Long Beach buildings – Pacific Coast Club and Villa Riviera. When built, the Gaytonia was an expensive property, costing $ 100K to build. The upscale building originally catered to Naval officers stationed in Long Beach who sought hotel-​style apartments, amenities and services such as maid service, valet and furnishings. Included with the price of a room were linens, dishes, etc.
Sitting atop a hill overlooking Belmont Shore and the Pacific Ocean, the building was made to look tall and almost castle-​like. Topped with a hotel-​style green neon sign above the roof line that is conspicuous and visible from vantage points in the Belmont Shore area, the landmark building is easy to find with the tall sign that says, «Gaytonia» in Gothic style lettering.
The building originally had a large heated outdoor swimming pool next door, but that part of the property was sold long ago and a condo building stands there now.
Use of hip roofs, turrets, conical caps and corbels combine with treatments such as pseudo-​halftimbers, pointed arches, crenelations, and the original real-​wood-​paneled electric elevator make the building an interesting study in architecture.
The building contain mostly large studio units, but also has a few one-​bedrooms. All units are large and spacious with high ceilings, most with floor-​to-​ceiling windows. Many bathrooms have built-​in tubs with the original tiling from the 1930’s. There are extra storage closets in the hallways, a small on-​site laundry room, underground secured parking (limited – not every resident has a space), and some units on the front and side of the building have ocean views. The entire building is steam-​heated with several radiators in each unit, so essentially the heat is free and included in the rent. To top it off, you’re only one block from the famous 2^nd Street Belmont Shore shopping and dining district, and just a 10 – 15 minute walk to the beach.
It’s also less than a 10-​minute drive to either the 710, 605, 405, or 22 freeways, equidistant to either LA or Orange County.
I guess if there’s any negative at all to mention about the place, it would just be that like any other building of its age it does suffer periodic plumbing problems and other structural breakdowns that anyone would expect from a place this old.
But if you’re looking for an ultra-​modern flat with all the latest technology and amenities, this definitely ain’t your kind of place. We love it because it’s just the opposite.

With a name like Gaytonia, of course it deserves 5 stars!
But aside from the name, the actual building itself is a work of art. It looks like a storybook castle! It was built in 1930 and owned by a man named George T. Gayton. Hence, the name Gaytonia. BRILLIANT!
Thank god this building managed to avoid a wrecking ball! It makes people like me have a little more faith in humanity when it comes to preserving historical buildings.