Pasadena’s “Darth Vader” Building to Be Demolished

The “Darth Vader” building at 150. E. Colorado Boulevard (Photo – Staff).

Last Saturday, a 1936 film called The Shapes of Things to Come played at the Pasadena Main Library, and a block south, two days later on Monday evening, the City Council and attendees got a glimpse of those shapes, in predevelopment plans presented for two significant real estate projects.

By Garrett Rowlan

In contrast to last week’s somewhat boisterous meeting, when the issue of Suicide Bridge and the planned community below brought out emotions, Monday’s meeting was quieter, sparsely attended, but still important.

One of the proposed developments was for the property at the corner of Colorado and Marengo on the East, and Colorado and Arroyo Parkway on the west, a building apparently known in local architectural circles as Darth Vader for the obsidian blackness of its facade. The proposed project, a mixed-used site, graded to accommodate the slanting landscape and the BJ’s restaurant building to the east, will have 88 to 100 residential units. It will, of course, be subjected to the inevitable give and take of environmental, zoning, and other modifications in the review process. Still, pending approval, it marks the end of a previous generation of planned Pasadena development, at least according to brief remarks by Mayor Terry Tornek, referring to a time when JC Penny and Macy outlets formed the west and east borders of the old mall.

No one lamented the passing of Darth Vader. “I’m glad that black box is going away,” said Vice-Mayor John Kennedy. He did, however, hope that local sourcing in terms of labor and materials could be employed at the new site.

Cristian Soto, Associated Student Body President at Marshall Fundamental (Photo – Garrett Rowlan).

Coco’s Bakery Restaurant

The other predevelopment plan might raise a few tears, if approved, for it is centered on Lake Ave. just up from Colorado. For those who might have had a significant first date at the Coco’s Restaurant, or remembered stopping for a snack at the Del Taco there, that is the place at 83 North Lake where the other mixed-use project was presented. It will have 54 dwelling units on 16 acres, 500 parking spaces, and an open courtyard. This too will be dependent upon the review process.

The opening of the evening was attended by a group of students from Marshall Fundamental High School, the swearing-in of Yolanda Sepulveda to the Design Commission, and the awarding of Operation Manager of the Year in Public Works to Pasadena’s Flo Langilotti, the first time the American Public Works Association (APWA) had given the award to someone west of the Mississippi, and to a woman. Cristian Soto, Associated Student Body president at Marshall Fundamental, led the flag salute.

> Click to watch the Pasadena City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 in its entirety.