The city of Long Beach, Calif., has its own charming take on royalty: the Gaytonia Apartments. The three-story, 27-unit building, which sits atop a hill on 212 Quincy Ave., closely resembles a Tudor-style castle, complete with pitched, hip roofs, turrets, and conical caps.
Local architect Reginald Freemont Inwood designed the Gaytonia in a Norman Revival style. Pointed arches and a half-timber appearance showcase the building's rare design. One of its front windows is oddly shaped like a rounded triangle, and the property is enveloped by wedge-shaped blocks and engraved cornerstones. Another section on top of the building looks like a parapet, enhancing its fantasy look.
Given such features, it's no wonder the Gaytonia is viewed as one of the city's most eye-catching landmarks. The name isn't a big surprise either: Owner-contractor George T. Gayton built the property in 1930 and named it after himself. He even placed a neon "Gaytonia" sign on the rooftop.
In its early days, the Gaytonia served as home to Naval officers stationed in Long Beach. The building underwent other reincarnations. It was originally managed like a hotel, with valet and maid service and furnished units. But it eventually settled into its current apartment state, where residents can enjoy living in a place that looks like it belongs in an illustrated book of fairy tales.
