Here we have a glorious example of how much care and thought went into commercial architecture in the 1920s. This is a United Cigar store (at the time, they were the largest chain of cigar stores in the US, though they sold more than just tobacco) which stood on the southeast corner of Colorado Blvd and Fair Oaks Ave in Pasadena. Look at all that detailing around the crown of the tower—just those windows alone are amazing. And behind one of those cars stopped at the corner, we can see some equally amazing detail around the arched doorway.
Nick L. says: “The Bear Building. The lot it sits on was originally donated to the Indiana Colony by Benjamin Wilson for a school. When the town outgrew the school, the lot was sold which triggered a commercial real estate boom that created a lot of what we see today. The Bear Building was built in 1929 after the second widening of Colorado.”
Imagine my surprise, delight, and relief to see that not only is the building still there, but still in wonderful shape. This image is from June 2022.
Colorado Boulevard had just been widened and the facades of the circa 1890 buildings were sliced off to facilitate the widening. Then the current style of Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco facades replaced them.
This is one of those rare times when something is not only still there, but beautifully maintained. There is a place for these buildings in the 21st century, and one of the reasons Pasadena is such a lovely community.
Exactly! Wellsaid.
What a joy to see this wonderful building still looking pristine. I am so happy that some things in LA are taken proper care of.
This is now a dumpling house. Definitely worth a visit and having lunch. The ceilings in the seating area on the east end of the interior are spectacular.
I wonder if the arrows lit up in sequence.