<div>A proposed luxury hotel project that would restore Pasadena’s historic Julia Morgan-designed YWCA building faced scrutiny from the Design Commission on Tuesday over concerns about its impact on the Civic Center’s character and public spaces.The project, presented by developer HRI Hospitality, would renovate the now-dilapidated and long-closed YWCA at 78 N. Mareno Avenue and construct a new five-story building, creating a total of 217 hotel rooms.The proposal is part of a long-term lease agreement with the City. It would place 23 rooms in the existing YWCA building and 194 in the new structure.The City began soliciting developers for the conversion of the former YWCA property more than a decade ago.Initial plans from Kimpton Hotels to reactivate the historic property fell through in 2017 after the hotel chain sought over $30 million in development incentives and local activists lobbied the City Council to reject the deal, which they felt was overbearing.Efforts to renovate the project have failed to take root since then.The new plans for the YWCA building emerged from a 2019 request for proposals by the City of Pasadena, seeking development options for two Civic Center properties. One of these properties, located at 280 Ramona Street, is set to become a five-story, 100-unit senior affordable housing complex developed by National CORE.The other property was the YWCA building.On Tuesday, Commissioners praised efforts to preserve the historic structure but urged significant changes to the new building’s design and site plan to better engage with surrounding civic spaces.“I think what’s happening here is by replicating the Julia Morgan building in the language of the new addition, you’re actually reducing the value of the Julia Morgan building,” said Commission Chair Julianna Delgado.Several Commissioners called for activating the northeast corner of the site, which faces City Hall and the Robinson Memorial sculpture, potentially with a restaurant or public entrance.“I really do think that there’s an importance to having a direct access to the center of the plaza from that northeast side in some fashion,” said Commissioner Robert Carpenter.The project would convert the YWCA’s existing gymnasium and indoor pool into meeting spaces, eliminating the pool entirely. Some Commissioners expressed disappointment at losing this amenity.“I’m sad about the pool not being there,” Delgado said. “Where’s the closest pool? There isn’t any. And you’re going to go stay in a hotel that doesn’t have a pool in Southern California?”Kirsten Vaselaar, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development at HRI Hospitality said the project would use federal historic tax credits, requiring approval from preservation agencies for changes to the YWCA building.“Everything we do inside and outside of the Julie Morgan building will be reviewed by the California SHPO and the National Park Service,” Vaselaar said.The Commission’s comments were advisory, as the meeting was a preliminary consultation. The project will return for concept and final design review before seeking building permits.Several residents spoke during public comment, raising concerns about the project’s scale, parking, environmental impacts, and its effect on views and pedestrian experience around City Hall.Commissioners urged the development team to study ways to improve street-level activation, create more visual connections to the interior courtyard, and refine the architectural design.They also suggested reconsidering the roof design and studying sight lines from various vantage points around the Civic Center.The project’s valet parking plan, which would not provide on-site parking, was also a point of discussion during the meeting.Commissioners emphasized they want the project to move forward but said significant changes are needed to make it fit harmoniously within the historic Civic Center.The current proposal builds upon previous entitlements and approvals for the site, adding complexity to the project’s review process.Several other nearby properties, including a parking lot across from the hotel site, are also slated for redevelopment with housing and commercial uses.</div>

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Design Commission Urges Rethinking of New Proposal for Historic YWCA Hotel Project

A proposed luxury hotel project that would restore Pasadena’s historic Julia Morgan-designed YWCA building faced scrutiny from the Design Commission on Tuesday over concerns about its impact on the Civic Center’s character and public spaces. The project, presented by developer HRI Hospitality, would renovate the now-dilapidated and long-closed...