Villa Solana: 22 New Three-Bedroom Condos Taking Shape in Northeast Pasadena Neighborhood
If you’ve driven through the North Lake area of Pasadena recently, you may have noticed a significant new residential development taking shape at the corner of East Villa Street and North Wilson Avenue.
As a local Pasadena Realtor, I’ve been following the changes happening throughout this part of the city, and this particular project caught my attention because it brings something increasingly sought-after to Pasadena: new-construction housing in an established neighborhood with convenient access to some of Pasadena’s most popular destinations.
The project, known as Villa Solana, is located at 1062 and 1072 E. Villa Street and 445 and 459 N. Wilson Avenue and will bring 22 new three-bedroom residences to the neighborhood.
The project is now in the finishing stages of construction, making it one of the newer residential developments to watch for anyone looking for a new apartment or rental opportunity in Pasadena.
Villa Solana: New Construction in Pasadena
Villa Solana was designed by Eric Tsang Architects for developer LSJ Development, Inc. The project combines elements of Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean Revival architecture, a style that feels particularly appropriate for Pasadena.
According to the City of Pasadena’s project documents, the development consists of approximately 20,410 square feet of residential space on a 0.48-acre site. The building is two to three stories in height and contains 22 residential units.
What makes the project visually interesting is that it isn’t simply one large apartment building. The design uses multiple building volumes, varying heights and setbacks to create a more residential, neighborhood-oriented appearance.
The City describes the architecture as Mediterranean Revival, with stucco walls, red clay tile roofs, recessed balconies, French doors and a combination of hipped and gabled roof forms.
That approach should make Villa Solana feel more like a collection of Pasadena residences than a conventional large apartment complex.
22 Three-Bedroom Apartments
All 22 residences are planned as three-bedroom units.
According to the Pasadena Design Commission staff report, the residences range from approximately 985 to 1,137 square feet. Eight units are located on the ground floor, eight on the second floor and six on the third floor.
For Pasadena renters, that is worth paying attention to.
Three-bedroom rental options can be considerably harder to find than studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, particularly when you’re looking for new construction in Pasadena.
This could make Villa Soleil particularly appealing to:
- Families looking for a newer Pasadena rental
- Roommates who want additional bedrooms
- Professionals who need a home office
- Pasadena residents looking to remain in the area while upgrading their housing
- People relocating to Pasadena who prefer new construction
- Renters who want a more residential setting rather than a traditional apartment corridor
A Central Courtyard Is at the Heart of the Project
One of the design elements I find most interesting about Villa Solana is the central courtyard.
Rather than placing all of the units along an exterior corridor, the development is organized around a large interior garden space. The City plans describe a courtyard approximately 48 feet 2 inches wide by 72 feet deep, with access to the upper-level residences through exterior stairs and walkways around the courtyard.
The concept is consistent with Pasadena’s long-standing emphasis on gardens, landscaping and indoor-outdoor living.
The project plans describe this approach as a “City of Gardens” typology, with the courtyard serving as the central shared open space.
For future residents, that could provide a welcome alternative to the typical apartment experience of opening your front door directly onto a parking lot or enclosed hallway.
Parking at Villa Soleil
The project also includes 22 subterranean parking spaces, with vehicular access from Wilson Avenue.
Interestingly, because of the property’s proximity to the A Line Metro Station, the project is not subject to a minimum parking requirement under the applicable state provision. Nevertheless, the development is providing one subterranean parking space per residence.
For Pasadena renters who still rely on a car, that is an important feature.
A Walkable Location Near Lake Avenue
Location is another major part of the appeal.
Villa Soleil sits just off Lake Avenue, in Pasadena’s North Lake area, placing residents close to restaurants, shopping, services and other neighborhood amenities.
The property is also relatively close to several of Pasadena’s major destinations, including Old Pasadena, Pasadena City College, Caltech and the Rose Bowl area. Public records and marketing materials for the former properties at the site also highlighted the property’s proximity to Lake Avenue, Colorado Boulevard and major freeways.
For someone searching online for apartments near Lake Avenue Pasadena, new apartments in Pasadena, or three-bedroom rentals in Pasadena, Villa Soleil is a development worth keeping on the radar.
From Four Older Homes to 22 New Residences
The transformation of this corner is significant.
Before construction, the site consisted of four single-family residences and four detached garages. Three of the homes dated to 1922 and were identified as Vernacular Craftsman residences, while another dated to 1900 and was identified as a Vernacular Hipped Cottage. A 2026 Historic Resource Evaluation concluded that the properties were not eligible for landmark designation.
The new development represents a substantial change in density—from four homes to 22 residences—but the design was intentionally developed around a residential scale.
The building steps from two stories along Villa Street to a maximum height of approximately 36 feet, helping transition the project toward the surrounding neighborhood.
What Pasadena Buyers and Renters Should Know
Although Villa Solana is technically an apartment development, I think it is also an interesting indicator of where Pasadena’s housing market is headed.
Pasadena has a unique combination of historic neighborhoods, architectural character, walkable commercial districts, Metro access and proximity to Los Angeles, making the city attractive to both homeowners and renters.
At the same time, much of Pasadena’s housing stock consists of older homes and apartment buildings.
New developments like Villa Soleil provide another option for people who want the Pasadena lifestyle without necessarily taking on the maintenance, renovation and expense that can come with an older property.
And for renters specifically, the opportunity to find a brand-new three-bedroom apartment in Pasadena is something worth watching.
My Take as a Pasadena Realtor
This is an established Pasadena neighborhood surrounded by a mixture of single-family homes and multifamily properties. The project is attempting to introduce additional housing while using an architectural vocabulary—stucco, clay tile roofs, balconies, courtyards and residential-scale forms—that relates to Pasadena’s existing character.
Whether you’re a longtime Pasadena resident, someone looking to move into the city, or a renter searching for new construction apartments in Pasadena, this is a project I think is worth watching.
And now that construction is nearing the finish line, we should soon get a much better idea of what the completed Villa Solana Pasadena apartments will look like—and, most importantly for prospective residents, when those 22 three-bedroom homes will actually become available.
Ramiro and Erica Rivas are provided this article for informational purposes only and are not the listing agents of this project.
If you are interested in Pasadena Urban condos for sale or rent you can contact Ramiro & Erica to located the perfect property that fits within your budget and needs.
626-497-4606 Ramiro | 818-257-1054 Erica
