Upkeep Around Town

This building on Union Street in Old Pasadena recently stripped its old lavender color paint for exposed brick. Although I never thought lavender was a bad color for the building, I do think the new look is a nice update. It looks like the owner decided to reposition the building a bit since Siena restaurant permanently closed its doors a few months ago.

Lavender paint being stripped away

Scaffolding removed to reveal the original exposed brick facade

New Businesses in Old Pasadena

What used to be E’s is now Liv Lounge! Asking the contractors while they worked on the new lounge, I inferred that the business was still owned by the same people, but they just decided to give it a nice facelift (and new name). From what I could tell, the new place is much trendier and better designed than its previous version. It is a nice addition to the night life that Old Pasadena thrives on.

In addition, Chozo Mama will be opening up across the street in what used to be the Hooters restaurant space. A quick peek at their website reveals what looks to be a decent Peruvian restaurant. I hope they’ll stay open late!

New Liv Lounge is better designed and seems to be catching on

A new Peruvian restaurant called Choza Mama will be opening soon in Old Pasadena

Playhouse District Update

One of the reasons people love Pasadena is because it’s such a walkable and pedestrian friendly area. Part of that “pedestrian friendly nature” comes from a dedication in the community to improve the simple things many other cities may overlook. Simple things like adding trees and other aesthetic improvements that spruce up an area.

In this case, the Playhouse District is definitely on the right track by recently adding trees and now finishing it off by adding palms along Colorado as well as street lamps throughout the district. Although I was extremely disappointed with the City cutting down the ficus and carrot wood species, I am glad that palm trees and ginkgos are not the only species being planted back. Does anyone know exactly what species the other trees are on streets like Oakland and Oak Knoll?

The next step I think should be taken is to add a nice little park somewhere in the Playhouse District. Anyone have any ideas where a small park could go?

New street lamps in the Playhouse District are a welcome addition

New palm trees along Colorado Blvd.

New palm trees added to the Playhouse District

Recently completed Fuller Seminary library is a great infill project to the Playhouse District

Disneyland: A Role Model for Pasadena?

One of the reasons why I haven’t posted in a week is that I’ve been on vacation for my birthday! I was in New York for a week and came back and went to Disneyland for a day.

While traveling, I always keep an eye out for ideas for what LA and/or Pasadena could be doing to improve itself and increase the quality of living here.

Surprisingly, I thought Disneyland did a fantastic job with their landscaping, and funny enough, immediately thought of the less-than-amazing, re-landscaped medians on South Lake Avenue. If you have seen the new medians on South Lake Avenue, you may have shared the same disappointment with me when I expected something a bit more aesthetically pleasing, bold, and exciting. Parts of Pasadena can surely take a few pointers from Disneyland when it comes to landscaping.

In addition, being in New York for a week, one can see just how creative home builders can be in an ultra-dense urban environment. I thought it was very interesting that historic buildings were commonly topped by new construction that were usually residential units.  It may be something either LA or Pasadena can incorporate more often in the future as people demand to live near transit stops and walkable neighborhoods. In order for a place to be oriented for pedestrians, it must be compact and provide a mix of uses.

Attractive Disneyland landscaping that Pasadena could get a few pointers from

Historic buildings are commonly topped by new construction in New York

Historic buildings are topped by new construction in New York. Also, notice the great use of outdoor seating to enhance the public space

The Raymond Renaissance

One of the best locations for a condo building in my opinion. Why? Because it’s in the middle of everything: Memorial Park across the street, the Gold Line station a block away, the Armory Center for the Arts next door, a view of City Hall, a wine bar a few doors down, and being just a bit off the beaten path in bustling Old Pasadena.

Originally, The Raymond Renaissance was supposed to be completed in April of this year, but the rule of thumb in construction is to always expect a “few” months delay. It looks to be about 90% completed and should wrap up in July I hope.

The condo building is actually part brand-new construction and part adaptive-reuse of what used to be the Jensen Raymond Theatre. There are more in-depth details about the history if you’re interested on their website.

Brand new condos and retail space coming soon to the corner of Raymond and Holly St.

New adaptive-reuse condos in the historic Jensen Raymond Theatre

Interior view of what used to be the Jensen Raymond Theatre from the Raymond Renaissance's website

Perfect Space for West Elm?

I’ve been looking for the right space for West Elm since I found out that they may be looking to open in Pasadena. It makes sense on their part since Pasadena really serves as the de facto “downtown” for the entire San Gabriel Valley. They are looking for a space that’s about 20,000SF and when I discovered this listing at 14,000SF, a little investigation revealed that it can be expanded up to 20,000 if you include the mezzanine and/or basement apparently.

So even though I had little chance of getting paid on this deal because West Elm has an exclusive agent that represents them and obviously the space is listed with Steve Nelson at CBRE, I love Pasadena enough to try to get the ball rolling, regardless if I get paid or not. In my mind, I think that West Elm coming in would strengthen the retail district in Pasadena where other stores that may have been reluctant to move in, may reconsider. We’re talking Kitson, Barney’s Co-Op, etc.

At the corner of Colorado and Marengo next to Paseo Colorado

Finding the right retail tenant is so important to strengthen the connection between Old Pasadena and Paseo Colorado

One of the most beautiful historic office buildings in Pasadena

Montana Residences

This is my favorite condo development I’ve seen so far in Pasadena (and as I told the gentleman that gave me the tour of the place: “One of my favorite in LA, period.”) I like the Montana a lot because it really lives up to the term “luxury residences.” You see “luxury” tossed around so much these days, it’s become so cliche, and it’s diluted what the term actually means.

This place exuded class and came off very sophisticated with very good quality materials used and good design/layouts.

The prices ranged from the low $2 millions to about $5 million for the penthouses. The HOA is a telltale sign just how “full-service” this building really is: $2,000. Yes, that does include full concierge service.

A picture of the Montana from their website

Front door to one of the residences on second floor

The central hallway that acts as the gallery

The beautiful kitchen with plenty of counter space

The kitchen does not disappoint

One of the bedrooms

This study room is an intimate place to relax or entertain

The bathrooms are just gorgeous

Bathrooms come with large Jacuzzis

The penthouses come with spacious patio decks with amazing views

The north view of Pasadena City Hall is amazing with this new covering being added to hide the rooftop parking structure underneath

Art + Design Open Market at One Colorado

On May 3, 2009, the art festival that takes place every year at One Colorado drew a diverse range of artists and admirers from all over. I spoke to artists that came all the way down from Santa Barbara to display their pieces. Artists were selling photographs, sculptures, paintings, and jewelry among other things.

These kinds of cultural programs are what make Pasadena such an enjoyable place to visit and/or live. It brings together people from all over and creates a vibrant center for exchange of ideas. Just another reason why I love Pasadena.

Artists come to sell their pieces at One Colorado

Vibrant gathering places are part of great cities

A variety of art pieces for sale

Cherry On Top

A new mixed-use project recently opened near Pasadena City College (PCC) at the corner of Green and Holliston. The apartment building has a new frozen yogurt restaurant called Cherry On Top that has been a hit with locals including the PCC students just a short walk away.

These mixed-use projects should continue to infill the underutilized surface parking lots that dilute the pedestrian experience. Compact, walkable cities provide a high quality of life.

Another great mixed-use project added to Pasadena

Westgate Update

Westgate is one of the most important projects in Pasadena at this time. It is a massive project with 842 units and will be built in 3 phases. The developer, Sares-Regis Group, is currently working on phase 1, which is the southern portion of the project on Del Mar Blvd.

I say this is the most important project right now because it will not only add more residents to Old Pasadena and hopefully attract more residential-oriented businesses, but the developed property will expand the “urban walkable playground” as I like to say it sometimes. It will essentially be an extension of Old Pasadena and therefore create an even more three-dimensional area for pedestrians. This development will include parkland, some shops, and a paseo. I can’t wait until it’s done!

What used to be industrial "lifeless" land will become the Westgate development

Westgate looking from new Delacey Place condos