Pasadena Playhouse Historic District

Pasadena Playhouse Historic District is a collection of roughly 50 buildings in Pasadena, California, centered on Colorado Boulevard, Green Street, South El Molino Avenue and Madison Avenue. It reflects the 1920s and 1930s shift of the city's business, cultural and religious life eastward from the older downtown, spurred partly by construction of the Civic Center. Small one- and two-story shops dominate, mixed with taller commercial buildings such as the Star-News and First Trust buildings, large churches, apartments and a few early houses. Styles range from Spanish Colonial Revival, seen in the Singer Building and Lockwood Building, to Art Deco, Georgian Revival, Gothic Revival and Classical Revival. The Pasadena Playhouse anchors the district culturally. The district was recognized for its role in Pasadena's urban expansion, its commerce and performing arts history, and its architectural variety. Its period of significance runs from 1906 to 1944, and most contributing buildings keep their historic character.