Designed by J.J. Blick, the Dodworth Building has stood at the corner of Fair Oaks and Colorado, directly south of the building I featured yesterday, since 1902. Right now it houses the Cheesecake Factory (warning: talking website).Get a load of all those superfluous details!
The Pasadena Heritage Old Town Walking Tour is informative, and it's fast. That means it's not really a photographer's tour. I ran past a few cool places, snapping this way and that and thinking, "I'll have to come back and get a decent photo of this place." I've got one or two more, I think.
Update: I first posted this as the "Dodsworth" building. I received an email from S. correcting me. It is the Dodworth building. This explains why I had trouble finding information about it on the web! I assume when people email rather than comment that they prefer anonymity, but thank you, S., for setting me straight.
Update, 10/26/10: I happened to notice as I drove by the other day, that the sign painted on the door says "The Dodsworth Building." So go figure.
15 comments:
Design doo-dads are nice to spice up a simple form, but superfluous in the functional sense I guess. Maybe the name of the building could be Doodadsworthy :-). Very fun to see these Colorado Blvd. gems. That walking tour sounds like fun. I used to do the architectural walking tours in SF and they were always a pleasure. I haven't looked up any here, and you inspire me to look into that.
You know I'm a bit partial to tastefully executed superfluosity, Petrea. And a bit partial to tastefully executed cheesecake, too.
I love that great old building. I"m going to pretend the CHeesecake Factory is NOT there along with it's tacky sign!:)
V
"Tastefully executed superfluosity", I've gotta remember that one. I"m writing it on my hand and using it on somebody today. Maybe I'll use it in the same sentence with "faux bois"!
Virg
Yes, Kim, in the functional sense is what I mean. I say "superfluous" with tongue planted in cheek, as I love these details and feel that we need them absolutely. A Seattle walking tour would be wonderful!
Shell, I wish I could get on one of those window washer's platforms to get close-ups of these for you. We'd see how tastefully executed they are. But in all my time in Pasadena I've never seen a close-up of the food at the Cheesecake Factory.
I thought about cropping the sign, Virginia, but modern reuse is what Old Town is all about. I don't love the sign, but this sort of thing could be exactly what is preserving these buildings.
In the 10,000 times I've passed this building, the design elements have totally escaped my eye, so thank you.
Beautiful building, with its cake-like details. The Factory below chose its niche well....
The architectural elements on so many buildings in Old Pasadena are gorgeous and collectively add to the charm of that area.
I remember when this building, along with so many others in Old Town, was completely run down.
That Ginkgo tree at the right is one of the most spindly specimens I have seen.
What a fabulous building! Pasadena is so charming.
When I saw the name Dodsworth I thought of the movie of the same name. If you've never seen it I highly recommend it. The performance by Walter Houston & Mary Astor are heartbreakingly beautiful.
Shell: "tastefully executed superfluosity" You are on a roll! I once met someone like that. ;-)
For the earlier commenters: a reader sent an email to let me know the building is the Dodworth Building, not Dodsworth. A quick web search proved him right and I've changed the post. With the correct name it was easy to find more interesting info about the building on the web!
Hiker, I haven't mentioned your presence on the tour because I keep thinking you'll post your own take on it. You must have noticed the details that day, right?
I agree with Linda and Ann/PIO. I love those details.
Greg, I have a treat for you tomorrow.
hi Cali, thanks for the movie suggestion. Maybe I can find a snippet on youtube.
Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJYkGBWHi4
On FB it still says Dodsworth so imagine my surprise when I saw the corrected version on your blog! Still in my mind all I kept thinking about was the movie. The damage was done! lol.
Thanks for the clip of the end of the movie. Here is one of my favorite parts. Check out the place Mary Astor is renting and the monthly rent. What a fantasy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPqbr7d3KS8&feature=related
Beautiful and lovely Old building !!Great Shot !!
Pardon! Lord I don't want to ruffle any California feathers and open THAT can of worms again! :)
V
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