Fairmont Breakers

Where Heritage Meets Contemporary Vision

The iconic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, a property steeped in California’s Golden Age, has welcomed luminaries from Charles Lindbergh to Elizabeth Taylor throughout its storied history. Our challenge was to create an art program that would honor this legacy while introducing fresh energy for today’s luxury travelers.

Kevin Barry Art Advisory collaborated with Fairmont’s in-house team and HBA San Francisco to develop a program spanning over 650 pieces. This comprehensive collection weaves together the sophisticated glamour of Hollywood’s heyday, the vibrant local art scene, and the natural beauty of the California landscape. The program extends across public spaces, guest rooms, and the distinguished Presidential Suite.

An “urban coastal” aesthetic emerged, creating a seamless dialogue between classic and contemporary styles, beachside relaxation, and the height of luxury. This vision comes to life in Nettuno’s dining space, where we engaged local artists to bring fresh perspectives to time-honored themes while historic photographs offer glimpses into the property’s fascinating past.

Throughout the public spaces, the art program responds dynamically to different guest experiences. Local artist Ronald Rupert Santos’s engaging works bring vibrant energy to social gathering spaces, while custom-commissioned stained-glass pieces by Olivia MacDougall offer striking moments of beauty that pay homage to Art Deco design. In guest rooms, the program takes on a more contemplative tone with Caryn Baumgardner’s evocative pieces creating perfect dialogue with ocean vistas.

The art program draws deep inspiration from its oceanfront setting, with pieces that reflect the colors, textures, and rhythms of the surrounding landscape. Manon Steyaert’s sculptural silicone works echo the flow and movement of waves, while Mark Rebennack’s “Exhale” drawings capture the meditative quality of seaside contemplation.

Through careful curation and collaboration with our partners, we’ve created a collection that brings the past vibrantly into the present, ensuring every guest can be part of Fairmont Breakers’ continuing story. Learn more about this stunning project in our latest ELEVATE by KBAA issue.