Welcome to Our Centennial Year

A century ago, a new landmark rose above the streets of Long Beach, bold, glamorous, and filled with possibility.
In 1926, this building opened its doors to the world.
In 2026, this storied address marks 100 years of history.

Shaped by music and movement, resilience and reinvention, this is a place where moments lingered long after they passed and where each chapter was written by those who walked through its doors.

Today, as Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, we are honored to steward this next era preserving the past while thoughtfully shaping what comes next.

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

A Beacon on the Coast

Before the skyline grew around it, this building stood tall on its own — a grand new address overlooking a young, evolving city. Designed by renowned architects Walker & Eisen and developed by local visionary Fred B. Dunn, the hotel was imagined as a destination for modern luxury, music-filled evenings, and coastal elegance.

Guests arrived dressed for dinner. Jazz drifted through open doors. Rooftop gardens came alive beneath the stars. From the beginning, this was more than a hotel — it was a gathering place, a symbol of optimism, and a stage for what was to come.

Over the next century, these walls would witness moments both glittering and profound — each adding depth to the story of this remarkable place.

A Century of Moments

1925
Construction begins under the vision of Fred B. Dunn, bringing Walker & Eisen’s elegant design to life as one of Southern California’s most ambitious coastal projects.

September 1926
The doors open in grand fashion. Known simply as The Breakers, the building debuts with a gala of music, dancing, and Jazz Age glamour. Innovative amenities — including in-room radio and a rooftop garden for evening dancing — make it an instant social centerpiece for Long Beach.

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

1933
After the devastating Long Beach earthquake, the building takes on a new role. The Red Cross establishes headquarters here, converting guest spaces into centers of relief and recovery.

1938
A new chapter begins when hotel pioneer Conrad Hilton acquires the property. During renovations, the former penthouse is transformed into the Sky Room — an elegant dining and nightlife destination high above the city that quickly becomes one of Southern California’s most celebrated rooms for an evening out.

World War II
The rooftop serves as Airwatch Headquarters for the harbor. Once a place for dancing under the stars, it now scans the skies — a reminder that beautiful places are often called upon to serve serious moments in history.

May 6, 1950
Hollywood 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
Through changing names, ownership, and uses — including its time as the Wilton Hotel — the building remains a constant presence on the Long Beach skyline.

1989
Recognized for its architectural and cultural significance, the building is officially designated a Long Beach Historical Landmark.

November 2017
A 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 rooted in respect for its past.

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

Experience the Story Today

Every space within Fairmont Breakers Long Beach carries a chapter of this building’s past and invites you to add your own.

Alter Ego
A nod to the late nights and live jazz that once filled these halls. Step inside for whiskey, music, and a mood that feels borrowed from another era — in the best way.

La Sala
Where conversations begin and evenings unfold. Inspired by the glamour of arrivals past, this is the modern gathering place for cocktails, connection, and a sense of occasion.

Nettuno
A contemporary chapter rooted in warmth and hospitality. Linger over handmade pastas and shared plates, because some traditions never go out of style.

HALO
From rooftop gardens to skyline views, the spirit of dancing above the city lives on. Today, HALO offers a fresh perspective with cocktails, music, and Long Beach stretching out below.

Sky Room
Once the crown jewel of Hollywood-era nightlife, today the Sky Room continues its legacy with elevated dining, timeless cocktails, and sweeping views that have captivated guests since 1938. Arrive just before sunset, it’s how generations before you did.

The Guestrooms & Suites
Once filled with the hum of in-room radios, now designed for rest and indulgence. A place to pause — and imagine who may have stayed here before you.

Wherever your evening leads, you’re not just visiting a hotel, you’re stepping into a century of stories still unfolding.

The Story Continues

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.