Balboa Inn, hotel
The Balboa Inn is a hotel building with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Newport Beach, completed in 1929. It displays characteristic features such as colorful stucco walls, terra cotta roof tiles, arched windows, and three towers designed by architect Walter Roland Hagedohm.
The building was constructed in 1929 during a period of growth in Newport Beach and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In the 1980s, it was purchased by a group of NBA players who undertook extensive renovations while preserving its original style.
The Balboa Inn takes its name from the peninsula neighborhood and shapes the area's character with its distinctive Spanish Colonial style. The colorful walls, arched windows, and three towers have been a recognizable sight for nearly a century, connecting visitors and locals alike to the town's past.
The building is easy to explore on foot, with clear sightlines from nearby streets, and sits just a short walk from Newport Beach Pier and the Fun Zone amusement park. Nearby restaurants, shops, and beaches allow visitors to explore the area conveniently.
One room in the building features a nine-foot high entrance door originally designed for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a legendary basketball player who later became involved in the building's restoration. This unusual architectural adaptation remains a fascinating detail for visitors today, connecting the athlete's story to the location.
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