Redondo Beach Public Library
Why it's listed
Overlooking the ocean from Veterans Park on the Esplanade, this brick and stucco library was built in 1930 to a design by Lovell Bearse Pemberton, an architect who also worked as an electrician, railroad manager, poet and composer. Its style is Spanish Colonial Revival, with a red tile roof, arched windows and decorative ironwork, combined with Dutch gables and a stair-stepped false gable at the entrance. The doorway has Greek columns, a Roman arch and pre-cast terra cotta floral decoration. The main block has a tall center section with a skylight and dark wooden beams, and the rear section rises three stories with large west-facing windows. Interior and entrance changes in the 1950s and 1971 left the building largely as built. The nomination values the library for its architecture, its unusual park setting, and its tie to the resort-era Redondo Beach of the early twentieth century. The surrounding park is not included except for the portion bordering the library.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is a fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with notable Dutch Colonial features, and has a classical doorway with terra cotta decoration. It is unusual as a library sited in a park overlooking the ocean. It is also described as a link to the Redondo Beach of the early 1900s through the 1920s, since no other significant public or commercial buildings from that era remain.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 81000158, listed March 12, 1981. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 309 Esplanade St., Redondo Beach |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | March 12, 1981 |
| Reference number | 81000158 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1930 |
| Architect / builder | Lovell Bearse Pemberton |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival with Dutch Colonial elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, and in use as a library. Minor alterations were made in 1957-59 and 1971 without affecting its integrity. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 33.83768, -118.38988 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 81000158.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q25006796
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.