One unique property in Long Beach, known as the Press-Telegram Model Home, recently received a local historical landmark designation — and its history will continue to be preserved, thanks to a recent City Council vote.
The Press-Telegram Model Home, located at 149 Siena Drive, was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style in 1926, according to the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. It features an original solid mahogany door, a central diamond-shaped window, and several other unique architectural features that make the property historically significant.
Aside from its architecture, the property boasts an interesting history — since it was built as part of a collaboration between real estate developers and the Long Beach Press-Telegram (the Grunion Gazette’s sister paper) — in an effort to attract homebuyers to the Naples Island area.
It was also part of a larger, nationwide project called the Better Homes Movement, which launched in 1922 with similar goals to promote home ownership in developing neighborhoods across the country.
A 1926 edition of the Long Beach Press-Telegram advertises the Press-Telegram Model Home, located at 149 Siena Drive. The home was recently given a historic landmark designation by the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. (Press-Telegram archives).
An old edition of the Long Beach Press-Telegram advertises the Press-Telegram Model Home, located at 149 Siena Drive. The home was recently given a historic landmark designation by the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. (Press-Telegram archives).
This home located at 149 Siena Drive and known as the Press-Telegram Model Home, was recently granted a historical landmark designation from Long Beach’s Cultural Heritage Commission. (Photo by Jo Murray).
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A 1926 edition of the Long Beach Press-Telegram advertises the Press-Telegram Model Home, located at 149 Siena Drive. The home was recently given a historic landmark designation by the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. (Press-Telegram archives).
While the developers worked on the construction of the Siena Drive property, their progress was chronicled in the Press-Telegram each week. Articles detailed all aspects of the construction phase from pouring of the foundation, installing plumbing to detailing the sourcing of the materials used in the construction, according to the Cultural Heritage Commission.
And, subsequently, the property was dubbed the Press-Telegram Model Home. More than 3,000 visitors attended the grand opening of the property, the commission said in a July report.
“Through its public promotion, innovative construction, and Spanish Colonial Revival
design, it played a key role in shaping local residential development, boosting civic pride, advancing the Naples neighborhood as a model of modern suburban planning during a period of rapid urban and economic growth,” the commission said, “and it reinforced broader regional architectural trends away from Arts and Crafts architecture and towards Revival styles.”
With its recently-granted historical landmark designation, the Press-Telegram Model Home’s history will be safeguarded going forward. And, to help even further, the home was part of a group of other historically significant properties approved for the Mills Act Program by the City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The Mills Act offers property tax reductions to owners who make a formal commitment to restoring, rehabilitating, or maintaining their property’s historically significant features.
The home, according to Coldwell Banker Realty listing agent Kym Elder, came under new ownership in July 2024.
“I love seeing new owners participate in the Mills Act because it keeps the integrity of Long Beach’s historic homes alive,” Elder said. “Programs like this make it possible to protect architectural treasures like 149 Siena — the original model home for Naples. The Mills Act is one of the best examples of how cities and homeowners can work together to preserve history.”
No booze
Hody Lane Liquor, Inc., at 5201 Pacific Coast Highway, has closed permanently after serving the Park Estates neighborhood for decades.
The founding owner, Hody Lane, was an amateur golfer and Long Beach restaurateur.
After Lane’s death in 1997, his son took over the shop — which was known for its wine selection, imported beers, and customer service.
In 2010, Fawzy “Frank” Barakat purchased the store and ran it for the past 15 years.
The store’s last day in business was Monday, Oct. 20. The landlord decided not to renew the lease, leading to the store’s closure, according to Barakat.
Bossa nova
Ubuntu Café owner Danielle Soldati reports that the eatery will begin featuring live music on Thursday and Friday nights.
Thursdays, Soldati said, will have a bossa nova theme — while Fridays will be jazz-centric.
Last week, Ubuntu Café’s special menu items included Brazilian pastéis — an empanada style treat. Soldati made two versions, one with shrimp and cheese, and the other with hearts of palm.
The business is located at 335 Nieto Ave.
Not fishy
The San Pedro Fish Market officially opened its new waterfront location at West Harbor earlier this month.
The popular eatery known for its shrimp tray had previously been operating in various temporary locations after the demolition of its original location in Ports O’ Call Village along the San Pedro waterfront.
San Pedro Fish Market’s new location is part of the larger West Harbor redevelopment project, which is ongoing. The restaurant’s Long Beach location overlooking Alamitos Bay Marina remains.
CEO Michael Ungaro described the new space as “more than a restaurant — it’s a destination,” in a recent news release.
Twice Threaded
Moving into the former Banana Republic space, Twice Threaded will celebrate its soft opening today, Thursday, Oct. 23.
Lucy Najera, Twice Threaded’s spokesperson, said they are finishing up the store’s decor — which will feature graffiti art — and stocking the space with second-hand clothing.
The Belmont Shore location will be the company’s first venture in retail, Najera said. They plan to open a second location in March, followed by a new store every six months.
Twice Threaded’s business plan calls for a six-week cycle system of the store’s entire inventory. Prices will drop 10% each week, and then at five weeks, the store will offer shoppers various buy-one-get-two offers until everything is sold out.
The store will then close for a day to refill the floor with inventory — before restarting the six-week cycle again.
Frosted Cupcakery
This weekend, Frosted Cupcakery will kick off its 20th anniversary celebration.
The festivities will begin on Saturday, Oct. 25, with a ribbon cutting at 10:45 a.m.
The day, from there, will include tastings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — featuring the limited return of some of all-time favorite flavors. Some patrons will also receive a specially-designed bandana as a gift with purchase.
Two other local businesses, CoffeeDrunk and Seaside Creamery, will also be joining in on Frosted Cupcakery’s celebration to create a special ice cream cupcake for the event.
For more information about Frosted Cupcakery, visit frostedcupcakery.com.
New digs
There’s another business celebrating a milestone on Saturday.
Fletcher Jones’ Audi Long Beach will host its grand opening and open house event on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The dealership, located at 2998 Cherry Ave. in Signal Hill, will offer free inspections and washes for Audi owners during the event.
The first 100 guests, according to the event’s website, will also get free gifts and goody bags — and the event will feature live entertainment, a “Taste of Signal Hill” vendor showcase, a photo booth and balloon artist, a spread of international charcuterie and gourmet pizzas, and more.
For details, visit shorturl.at/QpIF7.