The Design Commission will review the 1364 E. Green Street project Tuesday evening. The proposal calls for a 93,539-square-foot structure on the 41,573-square-foot site.
The location sits one block south of East Colorado Boulevard. It’s near both Pasadena City College and the California Institute of Technology.
Developer TC LA Development Inc. plans 260 parking spaces in a three-level underground garage and at ground level. Architecture firm Gensler designed the building.
The site currently holds 115 surface parking spaces. No structures occupy the property.
St. Philip the Apostle Church and School border the development to the east and south. The PCC Child Development Center sits across Holliston Avenue to the west.
Staff planners recommend approval with conditions. The project has evolved since an earlier review in May.
The building’s fourth floor now steps back on all sides. This modification addresses concerns about scale and mass, according to the Planning Department report.
The design features extensive glazing and metal panels. Materials include laminated spandrel glass and stucco finishes in neutral tones.
Two protected street trees – a California Fan Palm and an Incense Cedar – would be removed. The Urban Forestry Advisory Committee approved their removal in September.
The project proposes 18 new trees to replace them. Four would line Green Street and six would be planted along Holliston Avenue, the report said.
Public open spaces would anchor both street frontages. Benches and decorative paving would enhance the ground-level areas.
A roof terrace on the fourth floor would provide 3,757 square feet of common outdoor space. The terrace would face north toward mountain views.
Two one-way driveways would serve the building. Vehicles would enter from Holliston Avenue and exit onto Green Street.
The primary entrance would face Green Street. An articulated canopy would mark the lobby.
Planners found the contemporary design draws inspiration from nearby campus buildings. The staff report notes influences from PCC and Caltech architecture.
The building height measures 79 feet. The report said that complies with maximum allowable limits for research and development uses.
Planning Director Jennifer Paige authored the staff report recommending approval, with Senior Planner Rathar Duong preparing the analysis.
The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.
The site’s current zoning allows mixed-use development. The General Plan designates it for medium mixed-use purposes.
Final design details would return to the commission at a later date.
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