Parking garage transformed into residential complex

It’s a sign of the times – a parking garage in Los Angeles of all places is redesigned into a residential building?!

A historically significant 1920s two-story concrete garage with an Italianate facade was preserved (top image, right side) to become part of Trio, a 3.8 acre, 283,000 sf (14,600 sf retail), 304 apartment development in Pasadena’s Playhouse District. The developers, Shea Properties ensured that the new construction blended in with the surrounding neighborhood’s historic fabric, including the repurposed parking garage. Also on the site, a 1920s eight-story First Trust Bank building will continue to function as an office for First Trust – talk about preserving history.

An interesting note about historic preservation – to receive Historic Tax Credits, adjacent new construction (that is part of the project) must respect the historic structures, but not copy or mimic it, which would detract from its historic significance. Cities often utilize the same principles in their design requirements.

The $70 million Trio received its moniker via its tripartite dedication to fusing the urban, the contemporary and the historic Spanish-style.

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