Pasadena Playhouse
Why it's listed
Pasadena Playhouse is a theatre complex at 39 South El Molino Avenue, built in 1925 to designs by Elmer Grey. Its Spanish Colonial Revival auditorium seats 700 and sits between two wings around a flagstone patio with a fountain. The structure has a concrete frame, hollow tile walls, stucco finish and a Spanish tile roof. A six-story concrete school building was added behind it in 1936. The Playhouse grew from the Community Players, formed in 1917, and a public fund drive paid for the new building. Its College of Theatre Arts, begun in 1928, trained many actors who went on to film and television careers. More than 1,600 plays were staged on its four stages, including the 1928 world premiere of Eugene O'Neill's Lazarus Laughed, and it was the first American theatre to stage all of Shakespeare's plays. The state named it the State Theatre of California in 1937. After closing in 1969, it was slated for city purchase and restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Playhouse and its College of Theatre Arts brought international recognition to Pasadena and trained many film and television professionals. It is also presented as an excellent Spanish Colonial Revival public building and probably Elmer Grey's outstanding project. Its stages hosted world premieres, and in 1937 it was named the State Theatre of California.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75000435, listed November 11, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | November 11, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000435 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1925 |
| Architect / builder | Elmer Grey (architect); the 1936 addition was designed by Cyril Bennett and constructed by W. C. Crowell |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed in 1969 and went into bankruptcy; the property was bought by the Bank of America, and in 1975 the City of Pasadena voted to purchase it for renovation. Condition was described as fair in the form and deteriorated in a city notice. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Within district | Pasadena Playhouse Historic District |
| Coordinates | 34.14499, -118.13730 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75000435.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7141555
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.