Playhouse District Projects

Rendering of Union Village, courtesy of Mack Urban

Oh no! The Playhouse District is stealing Old Pasadena's thunder!  Actually, for the last two years for anyone who's traveled the stretch of Colorado Bl. from Lake on west can't help but notice the changes going on in the PD.  New restaurants started springing up and lots of people started coming in.  The cherry on top is Urth Cafe's opening last year and the crowds just keep on coming.

But the bigger picture is the way Pasadena is moving in the right direction with regards to density planning and design.  That's not to say that there were no hurdles when proposals were first submitted to raze the old furniture store on the corner of Colorado and El Molino, because there were many (the first proposals were nothing like what is currently being erected on the site).  It was good to see the Playhouse District association and Pasadena Heritage play a role in making sure the new building was in keeping with the area's charm and feel.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association several months ago where representatives of Mack Urban spoke to our group on the plans for the site that will become Union Village.  To say that my jaw dropped-in a good way-is an understatement: good, sensible planning with a gorgeous design was presented and I could not wait for this project to start.  Not only will this blend nicely to the existing condo complex, Granada Court, but the architects made sure that a connection to Vroman's and thus Colorado Bl would be integral to the design of the new complex.  And the design: wow!  It'll be in the Mission Revival style: so Pasadena!

• 2 Pasadena Projects Give Nod to 1920's [LA Times]

Innovative Design

I came across this video while browsing Dwell, and although I'm mixed on this particular home design (circular), I will say that it's daring, creative and innovative. 

Home of the Week - 810 N. Michigan Ave.

photo: MLS

This beauty is located in Bungalow Heaven, and everyone know that fine craftsman bungalows like this rarely come up for sale in this area.  Well-maintained, wonderful details and lots of upgrades along with being in an area where neighborhood pride runs strong.

• 810 North Michigan Ave. [Redfin]
• Price: $945,000
• 3 Beds/1 Bath
• 1635 sq. ft.
• Pasadena area: Bungalow Heaven

Pasadena's Oldest House for Sale

photo: Michael Dilsaver, Partners Trust

 The James Craig Adobe, the oldest building in Pasadena, is up for sale.  A Cultural Heritage Landmark and also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the house was built around the 1840's, before California became part of the union.  It was recently featured on a tour sponsored by the Pasadena Heritage Society highlighting the city's oldest homes.  170 years old and looking pretty damn good.

• 2121 Monte Vista St. [website]
• The James Craig Adobe [Pasadena Daily Photo]

Home of The Week: Home By Frank Lloyd Wright...Junior

photo: MLS

Okay, so it's not by THE Frank Lloyd Wright (known in most circles as just Lloyd Wright), and it's not technically in Pasadena.  But this Altadena home sure is pretty.  If you're a fan of mid-century modern then the Dorland Home is sure to raise your hair.  Check out the living room ceiling. As Curbed pointed out, there's some inspiration derived not just from his father's Usonian design but also John Lautner's Shaffer House especially with the semi-cantilever.

• 1370 Morada Place [Redfin]
• Price: $945,000
• 2 Beds/1 Bath
• 1465 sq. ft.
• Pasadena area: Altadena

Stucco: Ugly and Here to Stay?

You either like it or you don't.  Stucco.  It's everywhere here in Southern California.  Look around and chances are that the house or apartment building next to yours is clad in beige stucco.  The office building down the street?  Stucco.  That wanna-be French McMansion being built in your neighborhood that the neighbors are protesting?  Yep, stucco.  Fellow blogger Steven Corwin wrote a pretty scathing rant on what is an unfortunate symptom of rapid development and shortsightedness among yesterday's and today's prolific developers.  Kind of hard not to disagree, eh?

• Dear property developers: your stucco buildings are ruining my city [Steven Corwin]

Development Watch: Urth Cafe

Urth Cafe construction, Colorado Blvd. & Madison Ave.

The construction of the Urth Cafe building on Colorado Blvd. is coming along nicely.  It's Spanish Mission influences already evident with tiles and beams throughout and that curvilinear gable over the main entranceway.  This is going to be one beautiful building, blending in nicely with the Playhouse District buildings.  A wonderful example of infill done right (remember the shoe repair place before it?)  Bring on the (organic) coffee!

It Can Be Done

We were all fixated with moving the Space Shuttle from LAX to it's final destination at the Science Center, but how does it compare with moving a very large 3-story, 260 foot, 6200 ton brick building built in 1889?  Well, they did it in Zurich, Switzerland.  Ok, so it was moved only 200 feet and not across the city, but they moved it!  And intact!  I guess if there was ever a need to move one of Pasadena's old buildings we now know: it can be done. I will never again doubt man's engineering prowess.

Moving of the MFO building in Zurich 2012, time lapse from Patrick Gautschy on Vimeo.

Development Watch: Pasadena Humane Society

Construction on Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA campus

The new addition to the Pasadena Humane Society campus is coming along nicely, albeit slowly.  The new facility's architecture will blend with the existing structures and become a beautiful landmark on the corner of E. Del Mar Blvd. and Raymond Ave.

Home of the Week - 1695 Poppy Peak Dr.

photo: MLS

Folks, check out this stunner!  Designed by the famed Buff, Straub and Hensman architecture firm (their masterpieces are Case Study House #20 in Altadena and #28 in Thousand Oaks), this mid-century jewel has been lovingly restored by historic home renovation specialists, Lander Design.  This is an early example of the architects' Post-and-Beam work and, man, is it a beauty or what?  Located in the Poppy Peak historic district this house fits right in among other notable house, but this one definitely stands out.  The house is covered under the Mills Act, so whoever ends up buying it will also save a bunch on property taxes.  What high-tax bracket individual wouldn't like that?

• 1695 Poppy Peak Dr. 91105 [Redfin]
• Price: $1,495,000
• 4 Beds / 2 3/4 Baths
• 1,887 Sq. Ft.
• Pasadena area: Poppy Peak/San Rafael Hills
• Thomson Residence [ArchitectureforSale.com]
• Mid-Century Made Modern Again: A Classic Pasadena House Revived [LA Times]

The Tools That Created Beauty

Photo: Larry Underhill, Los Angeles Magazine

Los Angeles Magazine is currently profiling objects that define LA for the city's 232nd anniversary.  Above is a set of drafting tools owned by Charles and Henry Green, pioneers of the Craftsman style movement.  Click the link below for a (very) brief history on the brothers and the iconic style they created.

• DispL.A. Case #35: Green and Greene Architectural Drafting Tools [LA Magazine]

Home Of The Week - 1230 Brookmere Rd.

photo: MLS

Per broker listing: "Sophisticated Resort Style living in the prestigious South Orange Grove area of Pasadena, this residence boasts an open floor plan, an abundance of natural light, and the finest quality materials."  This home has pretty much everything I'm looking for.

• 1230 Brookmere Rd. 91105 [Redfin]
• Price: $1,589,000
• 3 Beds/2.5 Baths
• 3516 Sq. Ft.
• Pasadena area: South Orange Grove

Must-Know Modern Homes: The Gamble House

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Pasadena Needs Water Towers

photo: Prudential Douglas Elliman

Check out the above picture of a condo that was converted from a water tank, currently for sale in New York's Greenwich Village.  And the rest of the place looks awesome.  If I had the money and something like this was situated in the Old Town area I would be all over it.  This is one sweet pad!

• 12 East 12th Street, 12SW - Greenwich Village [Prudential Douglas Elliman]

Pasadena Museum Architect, John Kelsey, 1925-2012

photo: Hometown Pasadena

Earlier this month, John Kelsey, one of the designers of what is now the Norton Simon Museum, died at age 86.  I still remember the first time I came across the museum not long after I moved to California.  Here was a 60's modernist building whose design was far from dated and despite it's not-so-functional location, blended nicely along Colorado Blvd. and juxtaposed against the soft dip along the road.  The dark brown exterior and low-slung height made the building one with the grounds without a hint of pretension or grandeur.  Looking at the building, you can't help but sense a hint of mysteriousness as to what the museum holds.  This goes counter to many of the newer museums built in the last two decades where size, design and sometimes outlandishness trumps functionality.  And once you enter this museum you're pleasantly surprised by the scale of the interior, wondering how you were deceived before you walked through the front doors.

• Architect John Kelsey, dies at 86, designer of Pasadena Museum [LA Times]

Catania Pasadena

Remember the long-suffering development at the corner of W. Green St. and S. St. John?  You know, the eyesore that was draped in loose tarp for the longest time?  Well, it's finally finished.  I can't tell if it's still the original developer, JSM Construction, who finished the project (it stalled because they ran out of money), but the building is looking pretty nice.  Yogaworks just opened in one of the commercial spaces below and you've got Ralph's right next door if you find yourself short on milk.

One thing that surprised me, though, is the units are available for lease, not purchase.  There are 33 units up for rent, with sizes ranging from 2,100 to 3,000 square feet...quite big!  Rates start at $4,200 per month...quite expensive!  This is definitely the upscale alternative to the neighboring Westgate development.  I guess, I shouldn't be surprised that this building went rental.  Right now there is a lot of high-end condos on the market around the Pasadena area and it will take a little time for the market to soak it all up.

• Catania Pasadena [website]

Pink Benches

photo: Curbed

So, downtown LA's Grand Park opens...they call the color of the benches magenta...I call them pink...a few people like them...I cant stand them.  Please, Pasadena, let's not ever do this.

Rustic Pasadena

courtesy Los Angeles Times

The LA Times this past weekend featured a wonderful Pasadena Craftsman house that was restored to its original specs.  Includes details of how people of different backgrounds contributed to restoring this jewel.

• American Craftsman Meets Swiss Chalet in Pasadena [LA Times]