SoCal Landmarks

SoCal Landmarks

A Photography Project

Home Savings Center, Long Beach, Los Angeles County

Home Savings Center

In 2019, Long Beach Heritage recognized the restoration project led by Edward Ahdoot of Rockwell Properties that uncovered a mosaic mural created by artist Susan Hertel of Millard Sheets Studio for the Homes Savings Center (now International City Bank). The building, built in 1979-82, was the first commercial building to open as part of a comprehensive downtown Long Beach revitalization plan. Like many Home Savings buildings, the public bank was a 1-story Modernist block with the entrance facing Ocean Blvd. on a diagonal. Unlike others, it connected to a 10-story complex designed by architect Frank Homolka. The restored mural was unveiled in a public ceremony on October 25, 2018. The untitled mosaic depicts various periods of Long Beach history from Tongva natives to three-masted ships, life on the ranchos and ending with workmen and oil derricks in the background.

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Long Beach, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt