Extending the City's Character
On a 4.1-acre portion of a larger 22.7-acre site, HED transformed a surface parking lot into a mixed-use development that brings new life to Old Pasadena. The project blends retail, office, restaurants, and housing into a cohesive urban neighborhood that strengthens connections to the adjacent Historic District while responding to the demands of a modern tenant base.
The design approach emphasized continuity with the fabric of Old Pasadena. The city’s extensive alley network was extended into the development, weaving in new pedestrian pathways, landscaped plazas, and outdoor gathering areas that integrate seamlessly with established circulation patterns. Brick and glass cladding recalls the historic commercial architecture of the district, while the massing and scale align with newer, modern buildings in the area. This balance allows the project to serve as both a respectful extension of the past and a confident marker of the neighborhood’s future.
Landscape design was equally rooted in local identity. Inspired by the nearby Arroyo Seco, the outdoor spaces feature native and adapted plantings in courtyards, paseos, and buffers. Stoops and porches lend a residential scale to the streetscape, softening transitions between public and private while creating a welcoming pedestrian environment. Common circulation and amenity areas were conceived to strengthen indoor-outdoor connections, offering permeable spaces that reinforce a sense of community.
Wellness and sustainability informed every aspect of the project. The residential program incorporates a two-story fitness center, Energy Star appliances, low-VOC materials, WaterSense fixtures, and premium air filters. As a Breatheasy® community, the property is smoke-free inside and out. These features position the development as a healthy, sustainable choice for residents while also supporting long-term performance goals.
AMLI Old Pasadena reached 95 percent occupancy upon completion, commanding top-of-market rents. The development has also earned industry recognition, receiving the 2023 NAIOP SoCal Award for Multi-Family Project of the Year and the 2022 Los Angeles Business Journal Silver Award in the Mixed-Use/Retail category.
By drawing on the architectural language of the Historic District while offering modern interiors that appeal to today’s tenants, AMLI Old Pasadena achieves a rare balance. It respects and extends the character of Old Pasadena while positioning itself as a vibrant, top-of-market destination for living, working, and gathering.
