Pasadena Civic Center District
Encyclopedia
Pasadena Civic Center District is a historic district
in Pasadena, California
roughly bounded by Walnut and Green Streets and Raymond and Euclid Avenues. Construction of the civic center was funded with a $3.5 million bond issuance in 1923. The plan was created by the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons and Frost. The Beaux Arts buildings included in the district include:
The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
in 1980. The nomination form for the district's placement on the National Register described the civic center as “a nationally significant example of civic art in the 'City Beautiful' style of the 1920’s. The main features of the plan were actually executed, and the key buildings (including City Hall) actually built, by nationally recognized architects in a homogeneous style.” The dominant building is the Pasadena City Hall, built in 1927 in the California Mediterranean Revival architecture|Mediterranean Revival]] style. The City Hall building was designed by San Francisco architects Bakewell and Brown in the style of 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The building resembles three of Palladio's
domed structures—the church of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, the Hotel des Invalides
in Paris and St Paul's Cathedral
in London. Without being a direct imitation, Pasadena City Hall is related to them all.
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
roughly bounded by Walnut and Green Streets and Raymond and Euclid Avenues. Construction of the civic center was funded with a $3.5 million bond issuance in 1923. The plan was created by the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons and Frost. The Beaux Arts buildings included in the district include:
- Pasadena City HallPasadena City HallPasadena City Hall, completed in 1927, serves as the central location for city government in the City of Pasadena and it is a significant example of the City Beautiful movement of the 1920s.-History:...
, - Pasadena Public Library,
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium,
- Pasadena Police Department,
- Courthouse,
- YMCA,
- YWCA,
- Southern California Gas Company,
- United States Post Office.
The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1980. The nomination form for the district's placement on the National Register described the civic center as “a nationally significant example of civic art in the 'City Beautiful' style of the 1920’s. The main features of the plan were actually executed, and the key buildings (including City Hall) actually built, by nationally recognized architects in a homogeneous style.” The dominant building is the Pasadena City Hall, built in 1927 in the California Mediterranean Revival architecture|Mediterranean Revival]] style. The City Hall building was designed by San Francisco architects Bakewell and Brown in the style of 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The building resembles three of Palladio's
Palladian architecture
Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio . The term "Palladian" normally refers to buildings in a style inspired by Palladio's own work; that which is recognised as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of...
domed structures—the church of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, the Hotel des Invalides
Les Invalides
Les Invalides , officially known as L'Hôtel national des Invalides , is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's...
in Paris and St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
in London. Without being a direct imitation, Pasadena City Hall is related to them all.