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All the United States California Pasadena The Old YWCA Building
AO Edited

The Old YWCA Building

A landmark for a trailblazer for female architects and the designer of one of the most famous and opulent buildings in California.

Pasadena, California

Added By
Mordy
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Interior of the pool.   Weifinder / Atlas Obscura User
Interior of the pool.   Weifinder / Atlas Obscura User
YWCA designed by Julia Morgan   Alissa Walker
YWCA designed by Julia Morgan   Floyd B. Bariscale - Flickr
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About

Julia Morgan was a pioneer. She was the first woman to be admitted to the École de Beaux-Arts department of architecture in Paris, the first woman licensed as an architect in the State of California, and the designer of Hearst Castle in San Simeon, among many other landmark buildings. In the hopes of furthering opportunities for women, she also undertook a number of commissions for the YWCA, including the Pasadena YWCA in the Civic Center District.

The three-story Mediterranean-style structure was built in 1921, directly across the way from City Hall, and was one of five YWCAs that the San Francisco-based Morgan designed in Southern California. When the YWCA sold the building, its absentee landlord allowed the historic campus to languish as it sat vacant for nearly 14 years.

In 2011 the City of Pasadena, concerned about the lack of care and maintenance, invoked eminent domain over the property. Plans to convert the building to a boutique hotel have run into difficulties, but in 2020, the city entered into negotiations with a developer to further the project.

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Architecture Women Julia Morgan Outsider Architecture

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Added By

Mordy

Edited By

Martin, Molly McBride Jacobson, Weifinder, barneck

  • Martin
  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • Weifinder
  • barneck

Published

August 19, 2012

Updated

March 22, 2022

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Sources
  • https://www.laconservancy.org/architects/julia-morgan
  • https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2020/11/24/pasadena-picks-a-developer-to-build-hotel-on-ywca-site/
  • https://pasadenaheritage.org/ywca/
  • http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/forgotten_treasure/7573/
The Old YWCA Building
78 North Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, California, 91101
United States
34.147115, -118.145432
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Nearby Places

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Photo of Pasadena

Pasadena

California

Places 42

Nearby Places

Jackie and Mack Robinson Memorial

Pasadena, California

miles away

Pasadena City Hall

Pasadena, California

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Pasadena, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pasadena

Pasadena

California

Places 42

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