Saturday, January 29, 2011

There's No School Like an Old School

The signs in front of this building limit parking to fifteen minutes. I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to stay there that long.

Might make a good movie set. Drug deal? Chase scene?

This building houses the southern California campus of the San Francisco Theological Seminary as well as something called North-West College, both viable institutions as far as I can tell, so I shouldn't be so mean. But I can't help thinking those students must be a wee bit jealous, right across the street from the brand new library and lovely Craftsman buildings at the Fuller Theological Seminary.

22 comments:

Birdman said...

For sure! Looks a bit rundown.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Nothing a little "mojo risin" floor cleaner couldn't improve.

Meet you at the nature center. The bus sketches?

Margaret said...

It's true that this might be a case of "You can't judge a book by its cover."

Petrea Burchard said...

It's probably gorgeous inside, with jacuzzis and espresso machines.

Good thinking, PA.

Nor should I, Margaret, but I'm such a visual person.

-K- said...

I looked at your picture and instantly thought: I am so glad to not be high school.

I couldn't get the Fuller theological site to link to anything but it's probably me, I haven't had coffee yet (so I really shouldn't be behind a keyboard).

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, K, I fixed the link.

I'd have to give you a broader view of the building for us all to guess what it was originally built for. Probably offices, probably 1960's.

Anonymous said...

I heard North-West had a really strong football team this year.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yeah. But their lacrosse team doesn't hold a candle to Fuller's.

Mister Earl said...

Was that building ever part of Fuller? Fuller is not just those lovely craftsmans.

Yeah, North-West is pretty good.

What I think is funny is that the University of Phoenix, which is a widespread "chain" university with over 420,000 enrollees, now sponsors a stadium in Phoenix called the University of Phoenix Stadium. It's funny because the University of Phoenix has no football team, or any other team as far as I know.

Petrea Burchard said...

Dunno, Earl. Fuller owns a lot of property in the area.

Bellis said...

The website is fascinating. We're looking at an "innovative commuter campus" so maybe everyone's rushing to and from their transport with no time for beauty? The original campus south of SF is, apparently, much nicer, and even has TWO labyrinths!

I must say, with two seminaries cheek by jowl, this part of Pasadena does seem to be God's Little Acre.

Speedway said...

Looks more like an entrance to an anti-Acre to me. We have a similar enclosure at a local, "secure" worksite, which has been made the designated smoking area for those so inclined. Walking by in the morning, I'd always feel I was watching people in jail or in one of those more primitive zoo exhibits. At any rate, the site in your picture seems threatening -- no way I'd go inside.

Petrea Burchard said...

Maybe it's all computer terminals in there, Bellis, and they don't need a fancy space.

Speedway, this place isn't dangerous, I don't think. It's a nice neighborhood, just not a pretty building.

Katie said...

Definitely not my favorite sort of architecture, but maybe there's a pretty interior courtyard that makes up for it. I live on Holy Hill (an area of Berkeley with seminaries and religious schools) and there's one rather bland building that has a great secret garden tucked away where no one can see it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Katie, that sounds like the opposite of Bad Boy Hill, a Beverly Hills area where notorious bachelor Hollywood stars used to live. Or Pill Hill, a part of Pasadena near me that was once occupied by doctors.

Katie said...

Maybe I should come visit Bad Boy Hill -- things are awfully dull here on Holy Hill. Although I do live next to the Unitarian Seminary, and you know what a wild bunch they are. I used to live near a Pill Hill in Oakland!

Petrea Burchard said...

I think all the "bad boys" are old now, Katie. We need a new central location.

TheChieftess said...

I instantly thought of a school...

Virginia said...

Looks like the inmates escaped!
V

Petrea Burchard said...

Chieftess, apparently Virginia thought of something else.

TheChieftess said...

Not so very different, Petrea!!!

Nathalie said...

Phew, tough one. I'm like you, very visual. The link to the seminary seems to show there's money across the road.