Pasadena’s “Fork in the Road” Art Installation

After reading about this on the Pasadena Star News, I had to see it for myself! I drove up Pasadena Ave. and as I approached the fork in the road, literally, I saw the giant fork “guerrilla art piece” and smiled. What a great idea from the friends of Bob Stane, founder of the Ice House Comedy Club.

I hope Pasadena keeps this art installation permanently in place.

A giant fork art piece was installed at the fork in the road where Pasadena Ave. and St. John Ave. split

 

Veronica M. Boutique Relocates in Old Pasadena

With 5 locations in LA, Veronica M.’s fashion boutique in Pasadena is relocating from their location on pricey Colorado Blvd. to a smaller space, but just as busy location, on Fair Oaks Ave. just a stone’s throw down the street. Their current store at 30 W. Colorado Blvd. will continue to operate for about a month before vacating. The new boutique, selling women’s clothing, replaces the former travel booking Flight Centre.

Veronica M. relocates to the former Flight Centre space on Fair Oaks Ave. in Old Pasadena

The old Veronica M. store on Colorado Blvd. will stay open for another month or so before closing

Gold Line Right-Of-Way Becoming New Pedestrian Alleyway

The first sign of construction has started on the Gold Line right-of-way (ROW) that goes through Old Town Pasadena for what will be a major improvement for pedestrian connections in Pasadena, especially transit users who are either getting off the Memorial Park station or trying to get to it. Converting a once unused pathway, where the actual Gold Line trains run underneath as a subway, into a pedestrian alleyway is yet another clear indication of Pasadena’s commitment to enhancing the pedestrian experience.

In addition, there are talks of using the new alleyway to host outdoor festivals or even a new farmers market in Pasadena!

According to the Public Information Officer of Pasadena, Ann Erdman:

“The City of Pasadena has a temporary agreement with MTA to make improvements to the alleyways, except that we can’t excavate. The grade is steeper than it should be for a pedestrian walkway, so we’ll put in an asphalt overlay to get the ideal 2% grade. The fences will be removed. Also, we’ll place planters, benches and trash receptacles along the walkway. The timeline — you’ll see asphalt going down next week, and then hopefully by Thanksgiving the planters and other items will be put in place. We’re trying to encourage property owners in the area to put up lighting on their buildings that will shine down on the walkway at night since we’re not allowed to dig any holes for light poles.”

I asked if the asphalt would eventually be replaced by something more aesthetically pleasing geared toward pedestrians:

“Putting in a different surface material would be up to MTA in the future.”

The Gold Line ROW, seen here before construction started, will be converted to a pedestrian alleyway

The fencing has been removed and replaced with temporary posts

The Gold Line ROW runs through Old Town Pasadena and will become a convenient walkway for pedestrians

Restaurants that border the new alleyway, like Barney's Beanery, will be able to lease space along the new alleyway for added outdoor dining space

T. Boyle’s Tavern Opening on Halloween

Tomorrow, the doors at the brand new T. Boyle’s Tavern will be open for business at 10AM (according to a friend of the restaurant/bar owner). The space will include a stage for live band performances as well as plenty of big flat screens for watching sports, etc.

T. Boyle’s Tavern is located on Rhodes Alley in back of the famous Ice House Comedy Club.

T. Boyle's Tavern will open on Halloween day in Pasadena

Update: Herkimer Arms Sawed In Half

In accordance with what Heritage Housing Partners planned to do with the building, Herkimer Arms was sawed in half and “will be moved on two separate moves on probably two separate nights and put back together once it gets to its new home.”

The new location will be at 407 N. Raymond Ave.

Herkimer Arms was sawed in half this week and will be relocated to its new home in Pasadena

The separate halves will be moved on two separate trips and put back together

The new location for the permanent home for Herkimer Arms will be 407 N. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena

Greene and Greene Herkimer Arms Moving

Walking or driving past the Fuller campus on Union St., one can’t help but see a hulking white edifice raised on its foundation by massive tire apparatuses. For some time, I pondered what the fate of this Spanish-styled building would be. Thanks to reader input, the mystery is solved. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only was this building, called the Herkimer Arms, designed by Greene and Greene (the only apartment they ever designed), but that it would be relocated to a site just over the 210 freeway on Raymond to become part of a $2.5 million housing project developed by the Heritage Housing Partners.

From their website:

“The two-story Herkimer Arms will be converted from its current configuration of eight apartment units for Fuller Seminary students into two large, full-floor units. The first floor will be a 3-bedroom, 3-1/2 bath unit in 2,633 sq. ft. The 3,161 sq. ft. second floor unit will also have 3 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths, plus a roof deck. The building’s historically significant features, such as the exterior gunite finish, terra-cotta tiles, built-ins, corner cabinets, and original doors, will be preserved.”

also…

“The Hammond House, a Victorian home previously used by Fuller as student housing, will also be picked up and moved to the Herkimer Arms site as part of the new housing development.”

Read full article here.

Herkimer Arms is being relocated and will be replaced by a worship center as part of the Fuller Seminary

Herkimer Arms will be relocated to Raymond and Maple as part of a new housing development by Heritage Housing Partners

Massive tires and supports will move Herkimer Arms to its new location in Pasadena

The Hammond House will also be moved to the new site along with Herkimer Arms as part of a new housing project by Heritage Housing Partners

Westgate Phase I Almost Complete

The first phase of Westgate, the apartments portion, is finally wrapping up as new landscaping and signs have been put in. The temporary leasing office, in a trailer located on the land where the second phase of Westgate will be, has been making appointments for people who are interested in leasing and getting a hard-hat tour. Nevertheless, the southern end of the apartment complex is still a bit rough

Even the first phase of Westgate, now closer to completion, has made a wonderful impact to the southern portion of Old Pasadena as streets that were once forlorn and dilapidated have gotten new landscaping and new buildings to give it a completely revitalized vibe. Like I said before, I can’t wait until all three phases are completed.

New signage has been installed for the Westgate Apartments

New landscaping a welcome addition to the area

More landscaping around the property

Contemporary designs give the area a modern twist

Underground parking for residents off of Valley St.

The southern portion of the complex is still finishing up the exterior facade

A view of the plot of land that will be the second phase of Westgate

Maude Woods Opening Soon

Maude Woods is actively building out as anyone who walks by this soon-to-be furniture store can see with a quick peek inside. The lighting inside has been installed and some pieces were moved in. The owner Carrie, who is a local from San Marino, will offer upscale designs (fitting for the new residents that will be moving in right above her in the Raymond Renaissance condos).

My hope is that her store, along with BLD restaurant, will inject some new life and energy onto Holly St. There are still quite a few vacant retail spaces on Holly St. and without strong businesses on the street, it will be impossible to sustain the higher rents that some of the landlords still want for their retail spaces.

Maude Woods furniture store is opening soon on Holly St. in Old Pasadena

Johnson Motors, Inc. Remodeling

I am a little confused about the fate of Pasadena’s Johnson Motors, Inc. Apparently, the space they occupy (36 W. Colorado Blvd. #7) is “available” for lease (there was a prominent “For Lease” sign above the store), yet it looks like they’re closing just to remodel their store. I am hoping the latter is true because I actually really like their clothes and think it would be a shame if they left Pasadena since the concept was founded here in Pasadena. Then again, since the line is from here, it makes me think that having a location in Pasadena is a must, right?

Johnson Motors, Inc. is closing for remodeling on Mills Place Alleyway in Old Pasadena

The newly remodeled store should reopen sometime in November 2009

151 Hudson Construction Continues Slowly

Although 151 Hudson is not too far from completion, the construction on this development has slowed down quite a bit. The difference in visual progress between the last update in June 2009 and this past week in October 2009 is not much. Nevertheless, as I mentioned before, I am glad to see a mix of higher-quality, modern designs being incorporated into Downtown Pasadena’s housing stock. I’m guessing 151 Hudson will be completed by early next year for winter move-ins.

151 Hudson in June 2009

151 Hudson in October 2009