Welcome to Our Centennial Year

In 1926, a landmark rose over downtown Long Beach. In 2026, we celebrate 100 years of history at this storied address honoring the people, moments, and memories that have shaped this building for a century.

 

 

Opened: 1926 | Centennial Year: 2026 | Reimagined: November 2024

 

History & Timeline

Long before the skyline grew around it, this landmark rose over downtown Long Beach in 1926, a grand new address built for music, movement, and modern luxury. Designed by renowned architects Walker & Eisen and developed by local visionary Fred B. Dunn, the building quickly became a symbol of California glamour, welcoming travelers drawn by ocean breezes, jazz music, and the promise of something new.

Over the next century, these walls would witness history unfold — moments both glittering and profound — each leaving its mark on the story of this remarkable place.

1925 — Construction begins under the vision of local banker and developer Fred B. Dunn. Designed by celebrated architects Walker & Eisen, the building is imagined as one of Southern California’s most elegant coastal destinations.

September 1926 — The doors open in grand fashion. Known simply as The Breakers, the hotel debuts with a gala celebration of music, dancing, and Jazz Age glamour. With innovative amenities like in-room radio and a rooftop garden for even ing dancing, it quickly becomes a social centerpiece for Long Beach.

Late 1920s — Ownership changes hands as the country heads toward economic uncertainty. Even as the Great Depression begins to reshape the hospitality landscape, the building remains an important address in the growing city.

May 31, 1928 — In one of its most famous early moments, aviator Charles Lindbergh is guided safely to landing through heavy fog by the illuminated “B” atop the building — a literal beacon on the coast.

1933 — After the devastating Long Beach earthquake, the property serves a very different purpose. The Red Cross establishes headquarters here, transforming guest spaces into centers of relief and coordination during recovery efforts.

1938 — The building enters a new era when hotel pioneer Conrad Hilton acquires the property. During renovations, the former penthouse is transformed into the Sky Room, an elegant dining and nightlife venue high above the city that soon becomes one of Southern California’s most celebrated rooms for an evening out.

1947–1960s — As ownership changes again, the property is renamed the Wilton Hotel. Though the name evolves, the building remains a familiar landmark in the Long Beach skyline, continuing to welcome travelers through changing decades.

World War II — The rooftop takes on an unexpected role as Airwatch Headquarters for the harbor. The same heights once used for dancing under the stars are now used to scan the skies for aircraft — a reminder that history often asks beautiful places to serve serious purposes.

May 6, 1950 — Hollywood legend joins the story when Elizabeth Taylor spends her wedding night here, adding a touch of silver-screen romance to the building’s mid-century chapter.

1960s–1980s — The property undergoes several transitions in ownership and use, at times operating as a hotel and at other times serving longer-term residential guests. Through every reinvention, the architecture remains — a constant presence above the city streets.

1989 — Recognized for its significance, the building is officially designated a Long Beach Historical Landmark, preserving its architectural heritage for future generations.

1990s–2010s — The property continues to evolve, with the Sky Room operating as an independent dining destination even while the rest of the building serves new purposes.

November 2017 — A major turning point arrives when Pacific6 acquires the property with a vision to restore it to its original spirit as a luxury hotel.

July 28, 2022 — Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is announced as the brand partner and steward for the building’s next chapter, beginning a careful restoration that honors nearly a century of history.

November 19, 2024 — After years of meticulous work, the landmark reopens as Fairmont Breakers Long Beach — its historic character preserved, its future reimagined, and its second century just beginning.

Hollywood & Legends

For decades, this address was more than a destination — it was a stage. The skyline views, candlelit tables, and live music created an atmosphere where movie stars, musicians, athletes, and society’s most celebrated figures gathered to see and be seen.

When the Sky Room debuted in 1938, it quickly became one of Southern California’s most glamorous dining rooms, rivaling the era’s legendary nightlife venues. Champagne flowed, orchestras played, and evenings stretched long into the night beneath a ceiling of city lights.

Here, the stories of Hollywood intertwined with the story of Long Beach itself.

• Sky Room debut: 1938
• Notable era: Hollywood’s golden age
• Signature story: Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding night in 1950

Architecture & Design

Designed in the 1920s in a Spanish Renaissance / Romanesque Revival style, the building’s silhouette has defined the Long Beach skyline for nearly a century. Its warm stucco façade, graceful detailing, and vertical presence reflected the optimism of a growing coastal city and the romance of Mediterranean-inspired design.

Step back to opening night in 1926, and guests would have discovered a world of wonder inside:

• A rooftop garden designed to resemble the deck of an ocean liner, where couples dined and danced beneath the stars

• Grand dining rooms filled with live music and laughter

• Early in-room radio listening — a futuristic innovation that brought entertainment directly to guests’ rooms

Even today, the architecture tells a story of an era when travel was glamorous, evenings were formal, and every arrival felt like an event.

Centennial Year (2026)

In 2026, this landmark marks 100 years since its original opening — a rare milestone that honors not just a building, but a century of memories created within it.

Today, as Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, the property continues that legacy, blending its storied past with a new era of luxury, culture, and celebration. The Centennial Year invites guests to look back — and forward — through experiences designed to bring history to life.

What to Expect in 2026

• Guided Heritage Tours
• Time Capsule guest experience
• Heritage-inspired cocktails and culinary moments
• Live jazz celebrations honoring our musical roots
• Limited-edition commemorative keepsakes

 

From 1926 to today, this landmark has welcomed dreamers, creators, heroes, and travelers from around the world.
One hundred years later, the story continues — and you are now part of it.