Post #551184 by abstractiki on Mon, Aug 30, 2010 9:12 PM

Ok I got some NEWS on this temple but never got around to commenting on Big Bro's great post so here go's. I'm not crazy about the chairs, the lamp or the horse but actually I like those other Golden Tiki type interiors. Ya don't see them like that to much any more. The Riviera Resort looks great.

I think part of the reason that the style couldn't last was hardly any one could live up to it's opulence. It reeks of glamor, riches and extravagance the casual Californian just couldn't handle on a day to day basis and may have made them feel a bit uncomfortable. I mean you just can't walk around your house in jeans and a star wars t-shirt with all that richy rich stuff goin on.

When I was growing up in the early 70's I do remember one of my friends houses had a suit of armor, red shag carpet and big oval mirrors with golden frames like something you would find in a castle. The couch was also a smooth gold velvet type.

I would like to see those scans of the Royal Hawaiian Estates in Palm Springs if you can find them Big Bro.

I think that the hotels should always leave one room untouched and original to serve as a time capsule and mini museum of the design and style of the original vision.

Now about this Temple, the Golden Tiki Apartments.

I was on tiki safari today and thought I would check up on the place. Well the closer I looked the worse it got. Most all the windows are boarded up. The sign in front torn down. The place was run down before but now it's even worse. The parking lot was empty and no one around.

Well I grabbed my camera and hopped the fence. All the doors were locked but strangely the main door to the lobby was open. I looked around and the interior passageways were locked and boarded up. Any way, this is it I'm afraid. The place it totally abandoned and I think it's just a matter of time before vagrants burn it down or a excavator tears it down.

I know it's not the Islander but it's still a piece of Tiki history that is on it's way to oblivion.

Here are some pics;

Broken down sign.

No Trespassing sign.

Plywood in the windows, front door wide open.

Mail boxes busted open and interior doors covered in plywood.