385 S. MARENGO AVENUE, PASADENA, CA 91101
2 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | 1275 SQ FT | $1,127,000
A Historic Pasadena Landmark Reimagined: Evanston Court
There are few opportunities to own a home in Pasadena where history, architecture, and modern luxury come together quite as thoughtfully as they do at Evanston Court, located at 385 S. Marengo Avenue. This award-winning condominium community offers a rare connection to Pasadena’s resort-era past while providing the comfort, design, and convenience of a contemporary residence.
At the heart of Evanston Court is the historic Evanston Inn, one of Pasadena’s most distinctive surviving historic properties. Surrounding the restored inn are newly constructed Craftsman-inspired residences, creating a community that feels both authentically Pasadena and thoroughly modern.
The Story of the Evanston Inn
The story of Evanston Court begins in 1897, when the Evanston Inn opened during an era when Pasadena was emerging as a celebrated winter resort destination. Unlike the grand luxury hotels that would later define Pasadena’s hospitality industry, the Evanston Inn was intentionally smaller and more intimate—a comfortable, boarding-house-style retreat for winter visitors.
The inn was designed in a combination of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles, with distinctive wood detailing and varied shingle textures. As Pasadena’s popularity grew, so did the inn. Additional wings were constructed in 1898 and 1905, reflecting the changing architectural tastes of the period and the growing demand for accommodations.
The Evanston Inn is particularly significant because it is Pasadena’s only remaining wood-frame hotel dating from the 19th century. Its importance to the city’s architectural and tourism history led to its placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The property was recognized both for its architecture and for its connection to Pasadena’s development as a resort and tourism destination.
Interestingly, the building’s history did not end when its hotel days were over. In 1917, the Evanston Inn transitioned from a hotel to multifamily housing, a use it continued for many decades.
From Historic Inn to Award-Winning Condominium Community
By the beginning of the 21st century, the historic property had experienced significant deterioration. In 2012, the property was purchased with the vision of preserving the historic inn while creating a new residential community around it.
The resulting Evanston Court project was an ambitious example of historic preservation and contextual new construction. Rather than treating the historic building as an isolated artifact, the development was designed to allow the old and new architecture to complement one another.
The completed community contains 24 condominium residences: 10 homes created through the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the historic Evanston Inn and 14 residences constructed as new buildings around it. The new buildings were designed in a Craftsman vocabulary, drawing inspiration from Pasadena’s architectural heritage while providing contemporary floor plans and amenities.
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the construction was what happened beneath the historic inn. To accommodate modern parking requirements while preserving the historic character of the property, the 11,753-square-foot historic inn was carefully lifted from its original foundations and supported while a subterranean garage was constructed beneath it. The historic structure was then restored and placed onto the new foundation system.
The project was completed in 2017, with architecture by KFA Architects and construction by RAAM Construction. The development received recognition from the City of Pasadena’s Historic Preservation Commission in 2017 and went on to receive a 2018 California Preservation Foundation Preservation Design Award for Contextual Infill. The award jury praised Evanston Court as a particularly successful example of new construction thoughtfully integrated into a sensitive historic setting.
The result is a community that doesn’t simply preserve Pasadena history—it allows residents to live within it.
Residence #205: Modern Living with Timeless Character
Within this exceptional setting, Residence #205 offers a particularly inviting interpretation of the Evanston Court lifestyle.
This beautifully designed single-level corner condominium combines Craftsman-inspired architectural character with a sophisticated modern interior. An open-concept floor plan, quality finishes, and abundant natural light create an atmosphere that is both elegant and comfortable.
A welcoming private front patio provides an ideal spot for morning coffee, afternoon relaxation, or casual outdoor entertaining. Inside, the spacious living and dining areas flow naturally into the beautifully appointed kitchen, where classic and contemporary design meet.
The kitchen features:
- White shaker cabinetry
- Quartz countertops
- Breakfast bar
- Walk-in pantry
- Stainless steel appliances
- Designer finishes
The generous primary suite provides a peaceful private retreat, complete with a walk-in closet and luxurious ensuite bathroom featuring dual vanities.
A well-sized second bedroom offers flexibility for guests, a home office, or another personal space. Conveniently located nearby is a beautifully appointed hallway bathroom with elegant tile and a glass-enclosed shower.
Throughout the home, thoughtful details enhance both style and everyday living, including hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, central HVAC, a laundry closet, and a tankless water heater.
Practical amenities are equally impressive. Residence #205 includes two side-by-side assigned parking spaces in the gated subterranean garage, along with a spacious private storage room—an especially valuable feature for condominium living.
Residents also enjoy gated community access and a communal BBQ area, providing opportunities to enjoy the beautifully designed grounds and connect with neighbors.
A Prime Pasadena Location
One of the greatest advantages of Evanston Court is its location.
Situated on South Marengo Avenue, the community places residents close to some of Pasadena’s most beloved destinations. Old Pasadena, the Rose Bowl, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Caltech, and the Metro Gold Line are all nearby, while convenient access to major freeways makes commuting throughout the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles area remarkably easy.
It is a location that allows residents to enjoy the best of Pasadena—historic neighborhoods, independent shops and restaurants, cultural destinations, outdoor recreation, and an established urban lifestyle—without sacrificing the convenience of modern transportation and amenities.
A Rare Opportunity to Own Part of Pasadena’s Story
Evanston Court is more than a collection of condominiums. It represents a thoughtful chapter in Pasadena’s ongoing architectural story: a place where a 19th-century landmark was carefully preserved and given new life alongside thoughtfully designed 21st-century residences.
For the buyer of Residence #205, that history is paired with the ease of turnkey modern living. The result is a home with architectural significance, sophisticated finishes, abundant natural light, private outdoor space, secure parking, and a location that puts the best of Pasadena within easy reach.
Residence #205 at Evanston Court offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to own a beautiful modern home while becoming part of a genuine piece of Pasadena history.
