About this landmark

A 1930 Spanish Colonial Revival hotel transformed into senior housing

Seasons at the Hoover is located at 7035 Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier. The building was originally the Hoover Hotel, which opened March 8, 1930. Designed by architect David Bushnell, the six-story hotel was built in the Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architectural styles. The structure used 100 tons of steel and 9,000 sacks of cement, with cast concrete on the ground floor, stucco above, and red clay tile roof sections. The hotel was originally named for Lou Henry Hoover, U.S. First Lady from 1929–1933, who had early connections to Whittier.

From Hotel to Residential Community

The Hoover Hotel opened as a premier lodging destination on Highway 101 south of Los Angeles, functioning throughout the 1930s and 1940s as a destination for travelers. Following World War II, the hotel's fortunes declined, and it had transitioned to a residential-hotel model by 1962, serving primarily as long-term housing. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 2002. In 2001–2002, the structure underwent major redevelopment by LINC Housing and Vista Communities, transforming it into 50 units of affordable housing for low-income seniors, with the new name "Seasons at the Hoover."

The redevelopment received funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank, the City of Whittier, and the City of Industry. All 50 senior units were occupied within 90 days of the reopening, and the redevelopment project received the National Association of Home Builders Gold Medal and Jurors' Award for Innovation in February 2002.

Earthquake Resilience and Today

On October 1, 1987, the Whittier Narrows earthquake struck the region, causing major damage to the hotel: roofs caved in, walls cracked, and pipes burst around the building. Structural engineers assessed the building after the earthquake and found it remained structurally sound. The residents were temporarily relocated and returned after repairs were completed in approximately two months.

Seasons at the Hoover currently operates as a senior apartment community for residents 62 and older, offering one-bedroom, one-bathroom units. The property is managed by WinnResidential Corp, with office hours by appointment Monday–Friday. Amenities include paid refuse and water utilities, a pet-friendly policy with deposit, elevators, and on-site laundry facilities.

Insurance connection: Earthquake Coverage

Older buildings like the Hoover Hotel are particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage, making earthquake insurance a critical consideration for property owners. The California Earthquake Authority deductible options range from 5% to 25% of the coverage amount. Homes valued over $1 million or older homes without seismic retrofitting are subject to a minimum 15% deductible. Earthquake dwelling coverage limits track the homeowners policy's dwelling coverage limit, with personal property coverage starting at $5,000. California law requires that homeowners and renters policies cover fire damage caused by an earthquake, even if the policyholder did not purchase separate earthquake coverage. CEA earthquake policies can only be purchased through the same insurer that provides the underlying residential policy. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.

Explore the official Seasons at the Hoover website

Primary sources: Wikipedia article on Hoover Hotel, detailed construction and 1987 earthquake history, and official Seasons at the Hoover community page.