Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Purser Hotel and Apartments

Santa Monica Landmark

Purser Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Purser Hotel Marker

Inscription.
Completed in 1913, The Purser Hotel and Apartments was constructed as a 30-unit apartment hotel that was designed to address the seasonal demand for living on the beach. The Purser is adjacent to the historic Muscle Beach. The building reflects an altered vernacular architectural style with Italian Renaissance Revival influences. Between 2019 and 2021, historic features of the facade were restored by Wilshire Skyline based on the 1948 photograph above.

Erected 2021 by City of Santa Monica.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 34° 0.554′ N, 118° 29.676′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Ocean Front Walk 0.1 miles south of the Santa Monica Pier, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1659 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is

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in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Santa Monica Pier Carousel (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Monica Pier (about 600 feet away); Colorado Avenue Viaduct (about 800 feet away); Playland Arcade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sinbad's & Moby's Dock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Muscle Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Monica Ballroom (approx. 0.2 miles away); City Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

Regarding The Purser Hotel and Apartments. Historical accounts suggest silent film actor Charlie Chaplin
once lived in the building.

1948 Photo on the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. 1948 Photo on the Marker

Purser Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 29, 2025

3. Purser Hotel and Marker

Purser Hotel and Apartments image. Click for full size.

courtesy Santa Monica Public Library, 1942

4. Purser Hotel and Apartments

Purser Apartments was the backdrop of the historic Muscle Beach.

courtesy Chattel/Heritage, circa 2018

5. Purser Hotel and Apartments

Prior to the restoration completed in 2022.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5. submitted on May 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.