A few years ago, the eyesore at the corner of Washington and El Molino was a problem liquor store that plagued the neighborhood. This photo is almost exactly two years old.
Now, thanks to Joel Bryant and Trademark Development Group, it's about to become
the Classics at Washington Park, a group of eight craftsman-inspired townhomes.
From the website: "Four of the homes will be marketed and sold at prevailing market rate prices. The remaining four homes will be reserved for moderate-income homebuyers."
I think this tells you a lot about the neighborhood.
Bryant lives in the neighborhood. So do I. We both want what's best for the area and, after he showed me around the site yesterday, I can say he and I are definitely on the same page.
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21 comments:
I like the philosophy behind that. Good for them.
Me, too. It's always good to see developers cutting back on profits to benefit people who want to stay in the local community but otherwise might be forced out by high prices.
More of this kind of effort should be occurring in more cities and neighborhoods. The photos showing the progress underscores how important this is.
My link to the portal for theme day photos does not work, hope you visit me anyway. That darn computer-voodoo is at work again!
I think when people live in the community they work in they create more conscientious projects because they'll have to live with the consequences. Trademark has put together several good developments that fit Pasadena's aesthetic and help people stay in their communities. I didn't know this until I looked at their website, but I like finding out about companies like this. Of course they get to make profits, too. It's only fair.
You'll have to post pictures of the finished project! Too bad Trademark wasn't involved in the Fair Oaks construction debacle in South Pas.
I blogged the theme, but sorta different due to circumstances...
http://greenswardcivitas.blogspot.com/2011/06/pardon-my-dust.html
also since I don't do the daily photo, but seriously enjoy the bloggers who do!
So they tore down the liquor store. Where is Hiker going to get the vodka for her eco friendly bathroom cleaner?
V
No kidding, Laurie, they would have done a much better job. Mutt and Jeff would have done a better job.
Laurie, I'm sorry for your headaches! Argh.
Don't worry, V. They've got plenty of liquor stores in Altadena.
Nice development...fits Pasadena!!!
Vodka as eco friendly bathroom cleaner??? What did I miss???
I agree with all the good people on your blog. Excellent work.
I don't know, Chieftess, but it had better be the cheap stuff.
Only the good people, though, Margaret. I disagree totally with the bad people.
Ahhhh! How funny! Back when I was a teen taking the bus home from school it didn't stop at my usual stop and dumped me off at this very liquor store! I called my mom from that phone telling her to pick me up because I didn't want to walk through that area!
Out with the bad and in with the good. Our city has begun a real estate program where there is retail shops on the street level (eateries, bakery, dry cleaning, hair salon, pizza cafe, etc.) with nifty residential living on the upper level. One-third of the housing is designated as moderate income housing. The retail portion is 100% filled as is the residential part. Commercial partners and city government turned an eye sore into an uber productive block. Everyone wins!
Sounds like a good development that will have many benefits for the neighborhood.
Su_Tune that is so interesting! Neighborhoods do change. It's a better corner now, for sure.
Steven, Pasadena is building a lot of mixed-use projects and I think emotions about them are mixed as well. I don't know if we have the income designations you have.
Ms. M, a lot of people hope you're right.
Ahhh, progress.
I like this one a lot better than the liquor store!
I'm so impressed that you had taken a photo of the old liquor store. And that I can see the same palm trees in today's photo. I like this kind of architecture. There was a time (maybe still is) when architects only wanted to design modern buildings, to let the future know what was stylish in 2011 - which has left us with a lot of eyesores. Hope you'll post another photo when the houses are ready.
Don't the trees look like crucified thieves.....
This is great news. Isn't there an abandoned theater right near there too? Or am I mixing up streets?
I'm mildly impressed at myself for still having the older photo. I was hanging onto it for some reason.
We're looking at the trees from a different angle in the second photo. In the first shot, we're looking from southwest to northeast and in the second, we see the hapless, "crucified thieves" from a more direct west to east or slightly northwest to southeast direction.
Susan, you're absolutely right. This corner is a few doors west of the Washington Theater, recently placed on the Preservation Watch List at Pasadena Heritage.
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