Address: 2772 E. 2nd St., Long Beach CA 90803
HOA: Carlton Imperial
Number of Units: 25
Sq ft Range: ~750sq ft-1100+ sq ft
Year Built: 1964
Striking a balance between proximity to the Ocean, easy access to Downtown or Belmont Shore, and a great building isn’t always easy, but that is what you will find at the Carlton Imperial. The Carlton Imperial commands a prime location in Bluff Park on 2nd St. Now, if you have driven on 2nd St through Bluff Park you will quickly discover a number of condo options, which is one of the benefits of this area, but it can also make it difficult to decide just which one is right for you.
As you approach the Carlton Imperial you will notice its distinctive architecture from the 1960’s. The distinct design is one that was created by the famed architect, Charles McKenzie, who is also known for designing the Artaban in Long Beach. The feature of 4 stories of glass at the entrance is inviting and provides a commanding presence at the same time that reveals the staircase up to each floor. And while the address of the building is identified as 2nd St you will find you can access the secured parking via Temple Ave which makes it a bit easier and 2nd St can be a bit more trafficked by those navigating the beach area.
Being built in 1964 and 3 story building the number of condos here is what you would likely expect; 25 units. This number of condos gives you just enough neighbors to know them and enough opportunity where you might see 1 or 2 condos each year become available for sale.
Find out Key Details about Carlton Imperial Condos
We invite you to explore more about the key features of this development to see if it is right for you.
- Heating – This building has radiant heat which means the heating is a set of coils in the ceiling that work to heat the room. This is typical of builds during the 1960’s and the one item to be aware of is it can make your heating bill a bit higher as they are operated with electricity vs. natural gas. With a location only a few blocks from the beach your usage of the heat will likely be minimal but it is worth noting as you compare buildings.
- Laundry – With condos in the 1960’s it was more common for community laundry to be available and this building is no exception. This building has community laundry and with just 25 units to the complex you won’t find it difficult to get your laundry done.
- Amenities – In this building you won’t find the amenities of a pool or spa; however, this does help keep the HOA incredibly cost effective.
Secured Parking – Being just a few blocks from the beach street parking can be a challenge, but you won’t have to worry here as the Carlton Imperial has secured parking. With a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom condos you will find that units have 1 or 2 parking spaces. Always check your HOA and Title documents to ensure that your specific unit does have parking spaces assigned. - Balcony – With a quick glance at the exterior of the building you will be able to see that you have the opportunity to enjoy a balcony here (depending on the unit). The sliding glass door to your balcony provides for a great way to enjoy the nearly year-round great weather. With the building orientation you will truly need to evaluate the particular unit for which view is right for you as it could be any direction…good news is no matter what your view is, it will be lovely.
One of the great benefits of the Carlton Imperial is you will have the opportunity for a 1 or 2 bedroom unit. With 1 bedroom condos here being over 730 sq ft and the 2 bedroom condos just under 1,000 sq ft or even over 1,100 sq ft you are sure to find a floor plan and price that will work for your goals and budget. Even though this building was developed in 1964 don’t let the age of the building make you think you are going to see units that are time capsules (although it could happen). As we have been evaluating condos that come up for sale here we have seen wonderful remodels that embrace the conveniences of today and can even embrace the style of the past. You can always ask us to put together a list of properties that have sold here and we can share those with you so you can see the style and variety of condos that have sold in the past few years.
Frequently Asked Questions: Carlton Imperial Condos in Bluff Park
What buyers ask us most about this Bluff Park building — answered.
Where is the Carlton Imperial located?
The Carlton Imperial sits at 2772 E. 2nd St. in Long Beach, CA 90803, in the Bluff Park neighborhood. It’s just blocks from the ocean while still offering easy access to Downtown Long Beach and Belmont Shore — that balance of beach proximity and connectivity is a big part of its appeal. 2nd St. through Bluff Park has a number of condo options, and the Carlton Imperial holds one of the more prominent spots among them.
Who designed the Carlton Imperial, and what’s notable about the architecture?
The building was designed by noted architect Charles McKenzie, who also designed the Artaban in Long Beach. Its signature feature is the four stories of glass at the entrance, which create an inviting, commanding presence and reveal the staircase rising to each floor — a distinctly 1960s design statement that sets it apart from the other Bluff Park buildings.
How many units are in the building, and what floor plans are available?
The Carlton Imperial is a 25-unit, three-story building — small enough that you’ll get to know your neighbors. It offers a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom condos. The 1-bedrooms run over 730 sq ft, and the 2-bedrooms fall just under 1,000 sq ft or stretch past 1,100, with the overall range landing around 750 to 1,100+ sq ft. That gives buyers genuine variety in both layout and price point.
Are the units dated, or have they been updated?
Don’t let the 1964 build year fool you into expecting time capsules. As units come up for sale here, we’ve seen wonderful remodels — some embracing modern conveniences, some thoughtfully honoring the building’s mid-century style. If it helps, we can pull together a list of recent sales so you can see the range and quality of remodels that have traded here.
What kind of heating do the units have?
The Carlton Imperial uses radiant heat, with heating coils in the ceiling — typical of 1960s construction. Because the system runs on electricity rather than natural gas, heating bills can run a bit higher in cooler months. That said, just a few blocks from the beach, you’ll likely use it minimally — but it’s worth noting when you compare buildings.
Is there in-unit laundry, and what about amenities?
Like most condos from this era, the Carlton Imperial has community laundry rather than in-unit hookups — and with only 25 units, it’s rarely hard to get a load done. There’s no pool or spa, which is intentional: keeping amenities lean keeps the HOA dues notably cost-effective, a real plus for budget-minded buyers.
How does parking work here?
The building has secured parking — a genuine benefit just a few blocks from the beach, where street parking is competitive. Depending on the unit, you’ll find one or two assigned spaces. A nice practical detail: the secured parking is accessed via Temple Ave rather than the busier 2nd St., which makes coming and going easier. Always confirm in the HOA and title documents that your specific unit includes assigned parking.
What are the balconies and views like?
Many units have a balcony with a sliding glass door — a great way to enjoy the near year-round weather. Because of the building’s orientation, the view depends entirely on the specific unit and can face any direction, so it’s worth evaluating each unit individually. The good news: whichever way it faces, the outlook tends to be lovely.
How often do units come up for sale, and how do I stay ahead of new listings?
Turnover is low — typically just one or two units become available each year. That scarcity is exactly why advance notice matters more than refreshing listing apps. Request our Hot List, or call 562-989-7111 to be added to our database for the latest Bluff Park listings, often ahead of the major portals.
What should I know about HOA fees, and is the building FHA or VA approved?
HOA dues at the Carlton Imperial benefit from the building’s lean amenity set, covering shared elements like the community laundry, secured parking, and building maintenance. For what dues typically include across Long Beach, see our guide to condo HOA fees. FHA and VA approval status changes over time and is specific to the building’s current standing, so if you’re financing with an FHA or VA loan, confirm the Carlton Imperial’s current approval before writing an offer.
Condos at the Carlton Imperial don’t come up for sale often which means if you want to live here we encourage you to keep a careful watch…and we can even help with that. While the variety of real estate mobile apps are great to keep track of the new listings on the market let us lend a helping hand as we can even give you more advanced notice than the latest apps. Simply request our Hot List of properties and we can add you to our database to receive the latest condos in the Bluff Park neighborhood and more.