Palace Lofts (Long Beach, California)

 Art Deco (architecture), historic landmark

278 Alamitos Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90802

The original use of this building as a roller rink was important to the recreational history of Long Beach, and served as a social center for several decades. It was a place of public assembly and recreation and is remembered fondly by many residents of the city. Its closure as a skating rink reflects changes in the recreational lifestyles of Americans, and changes in the economic profitability of that activity. Its use for modeling the Long Beach Marina was significant for the development of the Long Beach waterfront in the late 1970's.

It is an intact example of Art Deco architecture in its ZigZag phase, with stepped pilasters, chevrons, and geometric ornament. It is relatively unusual to find this style translated into masonry material. The original marquee with chevrons is still in place. The design quality of the facade makes it an excellent example of that style.

The roof is a fascinating example of historic engineering used for spanning large spaces. Called "lamella" in the construction drawings, it is a wooden arched roof uninterrupted by interior supports, pierced by skylights. The arches consist of a web of diamond-shaped wood supports surmounted by wood boards, anchored by slender horizontal metal tie-rods. This roof structure is unique in Long Beach, and the design of the open span roof represents a significant engineering innovation and was a precursor of the geodesic dome.

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