| Pasadena Heritage is involved with many preservation issues and projects at any given time. We also monitor other projects that are pending or in progress, and we want to keep our members and readers informed about them. Under the heading of Preservation Watch, we will continue to publish brief updates. Please call or email us if you have questions or information to share. We will still highlight a “Most Endangered” site when there is a high level of concern or an imminent threat. |
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MOST ENDANGERED
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Julia Morgan building (formerly YWCA)
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| This long-vacant building in the Civic Center, designed by architect Julia Morgan, is one of Pasadena’s most significant buildings. The City Council voted to acquire the site by eminent domain in April 2010, and a court order granted possession of the structure to the City in November 2010. The City has taken preliminary measures to stabilize the structure’s rapid deterioration while it is engaged in a trial to determine the fair market value of the building. |
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| All Saints Church |
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A proposed expansion would introduce four contemporary-styled buildings to the Civic Center Historic District, next to the All Saints Church and across from City Hall. A Draft EIR was released in July 2010, followed by a Revised Draft EIR in May 2011. The Final EIR, which will respond to public comments, is now being prepared.
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| Ambassador West |
| City Ventures acquired a large portion of the Ambassador College campus and will develop the previously approved market-rate condominiums, while Sunrise Senior Living will build the senior housing component. Pasadena Heritage and other stakeholders provided input to ensure compatibility with surrounding historic buildings and continue to monitor the development. |
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| Bungalow Courts |
| Pasadena Heritage constantly watches for threats to bungalow courts, a unique housing type that originated in Pasadena. A City survey completed in February found 112 remaining examples, with approximately 30 on the National Register. Pasadena Heritage is in full support of a City initiative to encourage bungalow court owners to seek landmark status. |
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| Castle Green |
| The Castle Green is on the National Register and a Pasadena Historic Monument, the City’s highest designation. Pasadena Heritage holds a historic preservation easement on the building and has long supported its restoration. In November 2010, the Design Commission was critical of a proposed 6-story building on an adjacent lot, which fails to relate to its historic neighbor. Soon after, the developer hired preservation professionals to envision a more appropriate design. Pasadena Heritage and Castle Green representatives attended a Preliminary Consultation by the Design Commission in July 2011, and were encouraged by the new designers’ initial massing studies. |
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| Constance Hotel |
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| At the end of 2010, City Council approved a mixed-use project that includes rehabilitation of the 1926 Constance Hotel, a Pasadena Landmark. In early 2011, the Design Commission approved a plan for the hotel’s exterior restoration, which began in July 2011. The adjoining retail facades and courtyard will be restored in the next phase, expected to be complete by late 2012. Demolition of the existing bank and construction of a retail/office building at the corner of Colorado and Lake will follow. |
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| Herkimer Arms Apartments (Fuller Seminary Campus) |
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| The only existing apartment building designed by Greene & Greene (1912) was relocated from the Fuller Seminary campus to N. Raymond Avenue. Pasadena Heritage fought to keep the Herkimer Arms standing, and Heritage Housing Partners stepped in to rehabilitate the building. A loan from our Preservation Fund and affordable housing funds allocated by the City are assisting the project. |
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| La Loma Bridge |
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| The retrofit of this “little sister” of the Colorado Street Bridge was redesigned last year after the discovery of a fault running beneath the bridge. At Pasadena Heritage’s request, the City and Caltrans analyzed two alternatives volunteered by local engineers before proceeding with the new design. The La Loma Bridge Advisory Group selected one of these alternative proposals, which should reduce visual impacts to the bridge’s character defining features. |
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| Rose Bowl |
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Construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium improvements began on January 10, 2011 and will continue in phases between football seasons until 2014. The rehabilitation will upgrade the National Historic Landmark while preserving its character defining features. The Design Commission continues to work closely with the RBOC on design details for the new press box and revamped concourse.
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| Washington Theater |
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| The Washington Theater (1924) in north Pasadena is an early example of mixed-use development, consisting of a theater, retail shops, and apartments. The building has suffered from neglect and been unoccupied for nearly ten years. Pasadena Heritage submitted a landmark nomination for the building, which was approved in 2010. Recent unpermitted work was halted. We hope plans emerge soon for appropriate rehabilitation. |
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NEW TO THE LIST
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Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing/Lincoln Property Co. Site
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| In July 2011, the $320 million sale of the Parsons headquarters at Fair Oaks Avenue and Union Street and was announced. The 22.7-acre site abutting the Old Pasadena Historic District currently has 950,000 square feet of offices in three building, and is zoned for up to 900,000 additional square feet. Impacts to surrounding historic district will need to be carefully evaluated in the event of a future proposal for development. |
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LEAVING THE LIST
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Langham Huntington Hotel
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| Although the historic hotel tower was demolished and rebuilt in 1991, the remaining historic buildings and gardens are determined eligible for the National Register. Neighbors in the historic Oak Knoll district expressed concern when plans emerged for additions to the site in 2010, and Pasadena Heritage met with the hotel owners to review the proposal. In August 2011, the Langham owners abandoned their plans for expansion. |
| Pasadena Playhouse |
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| The Pasadena Playhouse has quickly rebounded after closing its doors in February 2010 and resumed its production schedule in November 2010. Pasadena Heritage holds an historic preservation easement on this National Register building, which is owned by a private individual. The City controls the use of the building, and has leased it to the Playhouse organization since the 1980s. |
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| Stuart Pharmaceutical Company |
| Pasadena Heritage nominated the 1958 Stuart Company building, designed by Edward Durrell Stone, to the National Register in 1993. The historic building saw major restoration as part of a new residential complex. The classical theater company A Noise Within completed an addition to the western portion of the original building in October 2011. |
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| Last updated 12/28/2011 |
