Pasadena’s Golden Age Tour will highlight the grand and fanciful Period Revival architecture that emerged in the 1920s, when Pasadena was among the most wealthy of cities in the nation. During these years the city was home to a phenomenal number of talented and trend-setting architects who synthesized European inspirations with a romantic vision of Spanish California to create eclectic, lavish homes for prosperous Pasadenans. This drive-yourself event will feature docent-guided tours of six privately-owned homes that are outstanding examples of the designs of prominent Pasadenan architects, including Myron Hunt and Roland E. Coate.
The E. Lawrence Brown House (right), a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival residence, which was designed in 1928 by the well-known local architect Harold J. Bissner. The home features an abundance of original tile work, wrought iron light fixtures and abstract Moorish motifs in the wood detailing.
In the Oak Knoll neighborhood, tour-goers will have the opportunity to visit the Harlow E. Bundy Mansion, a dramatic Classical Revival home with a stunning domed art glass window in the grand entrance, silk fabric paneling on the walls, and gilded carvings by a Hungarian church painter. Around the corner, the Amelia Seibert House will be open. Designed by prolific architect Myron Hunt, this grand, three story residence is a fine example of the Tudor Revival style in Pasadena, and features an exterior of half timbering and herringbone patterned brick, and a lavish interior with oak paneling on the walls and fireplaces of marble, mahogany, oak and Batchelder tile.
Venturing into San Marino, two residences on Shenandoah Road will be open for the Spring Home Tour. The H. Palmer Sabin House, a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival residence designed by the architect for himself and his wife, offers a wonderful glimpse into the architect’s design aesthetic, which contemporaries viewed as a dignified use of simple forms beautifully integrated with the Southern Californian landscape.
Continuing down the street, tour-goers will have the rare opportunity to visit the Edward W. Goodman House, a magnificent Tudor Revival residence designed in 1929 by John D. Atchison. The home features a dramatic two-story living room with carved gargoyles on exposed wooden beams and stunning leaded glass windows.
A residence in the historic Prospect Park neighborhood will also be featured as part of Pasadena’s Golden Age. The Frank Bacon House, a Monterey Revival-style home designed in 1928 by Roland E. Coate, will be open for viewing. The house is beautifully sited to allow for views of the garden and to promote indoor-outdoor living on the multiple terraces.
Sunday, March 25th, 2007
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets in advance ($35 each) call (626) 441-6333
Day of the tour purchase tickets ($40 each) at the Pasadena Heritage office at 651 South Saint John Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105.