Stuart Company Plant and Office Building
Also known as: Johnson & Johnson/Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Building
Why it's listed
Completed in 1958 at 3360 East Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena, this two-story plant and office building was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone for a pharmaceutical company. The steel and concrete structure measures about 190 by 190 feet and is fronted by a white concrete screen wall 403 feet long, gold-lacquered steel columns and a reflecting pool with fountains. Inside, a two-story atrium is lit by 81 skylights and has block walls imprinted with pill shapes. To the east, a courtyard holds an elliptical employee swimming pool, orange-tree planters, a hyperbolic paraboloid pavilion and a bath house. The building was listed for architecture as an early and exceptionally fine California example of the New Formalist style and a key work in Stone's career. It received a National First Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1958, and later additions and a ramp have only modestly changed it. The property is now recorded as vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an outstanding example of mid-century modern architecture and one of the earliest, finest expressions in California of the New Formalist style. It is also described as the state's first fully realized example of Edward Durell Stone's mature work. It won a National First Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1958.
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 94001326, listed October 20, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3360 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | October 20, 1998 |
| Reference number | 94001326 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1958 |
| Architect / builder | Stone, Edward Durell |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: New Formalism |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as vacant/not in use; minimal alterations since 1958 (ramp, 1960 and 1970 additions). |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 34.14928, -118.08128 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 94001326.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133294702
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.