October 30, 2007

Live in a National Historic Place

When I first moved to the area, I often wondered about the large, elegant building, prominently perched over the Arroyo Seco while commuting through Pasadena via the 134. This building of course, houses the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. And it looks like a hotel because it is one– or was, in a past life.

The Vista del Arroyo Hotel was built in 1903; a living time capsule of Pasadena’s heydays as a wintertime haven for well-to-doers from back east. The grounds of the hotel also included bungalows:

The bungalows were constructed for the Vista del Arroyo Hotel as winter resort residences and were designed between 1920 and 1938 by noted Pasadena architects Sylvanus Marston, Garrett van Pelt & Edgar Maybury, and Myron Hunt & Harold Chambers. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

These Vista del Arroyo bungalows have undergone extensive renovation after suffering years of abandon and neglect, and on Nov. 4, nine properties will be sold at close out auction. Minimum bids start at between $790,000 and $1,260,000, representing up to $690,000 off the asking prices. Interested? Two links at the bottom of the post will lead you to pertinent info about the bungalow and auctions, and here are a few units on Redfin along with their original asking prices:

5 S GRAND AVE
$1,250,000
Beds: 2 / Baths: 2.5
MLS#: 07-170721

21 S GRAND
$1,300,000
Beds: 3 / Baths: 3
MLS#: 07-207019

33 S GRAND AVE
$1,125,000
Beds: 1 / Baths: 1.5
MLS#: 07-197195

51 S GRAND AVE
$1,895,000
Beds: 3 / Baths: 3
MLS#: 07-170759

And because it’s that time of year, here’s a spooky connection: That beautiful looking bridge spanning the Arroyo Seco? That’s the Colorado Street Bridge, and it’s every bit as iconic as the hotel itself, and most often depicted together (see postcard above). It’s commonly referred to as the “Suicide Bridge”, earning its nickname from the 100+ people who have leapt from it, particularly during the Depression.

It is said that spirits haunt the structure and the riverbed to this day. Just so happens that this bridge is also literally, right above and directly adjacent to the bungalows. Lack of movement on these historic residences due to the soft market or something else? You be the judge!

Resources:
http://www.arroyobungalows.com/
http://www.auctionbungalows.com/index.shtml
Photo credits:
Vista del Arroya postcard: zilf
Bungalow auction photo: SGVT

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