Long Beach isn’t driven by short-term opportunity, but by long-term vision. Its rich diversity, strong neighborhood identity and a deeply rooted sense of place make it a city best served by thoughtful, lasting investment — a perspective real estate broker Gia Silva hopes to instill in prospective buyers.
Silva recently listed the property at 335 Nieto Ave. — home to the popular Ubuntu Café. The building is adjacent to the picturesque Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach’s Belmont Heights neighborhood.
Surrounded by million-dollar homes, parks and schools, the property has been home to Ubuntu Café since 2020.
Even after opening during the pandemic, the café grew steadily, fostering a loyal clientele. It became a true neighborhood staple — seamlessly woven into the community's lifestyle — establishing itself as the place to grab coffee and a pastry on the way to the office and a go-to spot for a family brunch on a weekend morning.
The property includes a 1,103-square-foot building designed for restaurant use, with a thoughtful layout that supports both indoor dining and an expanded outdoor al fresco seating area — creating a dining experience that feels far more expansive than the interior square footage alone would suggest. The offering price is $3 million.
As far as coastal communities are concerned, Long Beach remains among the most affordable, Silva, president of INTI Realty, said. At the same time, the city has a bustling port, an airport, a booming aerospace sector, major retailers, a stellar food scene, world-class events like the Acura Grand Prix, a vibrant music scene and more.
“There’s just so much that attracts people here,” Silva said. “Yes, it’s a big city, but it’s also a small town.”
Silva points out that the surrounding area offers limited nearby café and dining options. With thousands of residents in proximity, the site is naturally suited for a neighborhood-focused breakfast and coffee concept — making it well-positioned for long-term success.
The area is expected to see a notable influx of visitors in 2028, when the nearby Marine Stadium is scheduled to host several Olympic and Paralympic events.
In two years, the waterway will host four events — canoe sprint, rowing, para canoe sprint and para rowing — drawing thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators to the area.
With the international spotlight and increased neighborhood activity these events will bring, this “Nieto Corner” is uniquely positioned to serve as a welcoming place for both longtime locals and visitors.
As both a broker and a longtime Long Beach resident who runs around Colorado Lagoon most mornings, Silva says her hope is simply to see the location continue to flourish under ownership that is genuinely invested in the community and its future.
“What tends to succeed in Long Beach are people who view their presence here as something lasting,” she said. “This isn’t a place you come to for a short chapter — it’s where people put down roots, build businesses with intention, and become part of the fabric of the neighborhood.”
For more information on this property, reach out to Gia Silva at (562) 572-4978 or gia@intihomes.com.