Erewhon & 475 S Lake Ave
For nearly a decade, the former I. Magnin & Company department store building at 475 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, California, sat mostly vacant. Preservation-minded redevelopment and the arrival of a new anchor tenant—upscale grocer Erewhon—have transformed the neglected 75-year-old, 45,000-square-foot landmark into a dynamic destination.
Originally opened in 1949, the building was designed in the Late Moderne style by the renowned Harold C. Chambers, a notable California architect. The new owners envisioned securing landmark designation, reactivating the site, and rehabilitating the building into a facility with a mix of retail and personal service tenants.
The RDC project team worked diligently to retain and rediscover the building’s historic character. The team restored the building’s original architectural features: replacing the building entry doors with a modern aluminum storefront, characteristic of the original design; removing entrance awnings that were not original; and refurbishing the deteriorating original wood-framed fixed windows. Given this thoughtful restoration, the city of Pasadena designated the building as a historical landmark.
Modernization and renovation of the interiors and infrastructure were imperative to successfully complete the transformation. The renovation included upgrading all plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems, as well as the elevators, and replacing the roof to meet modern sustainability goals and safeguard the longevity of the building.
The success of the revitalized building can be measured by its vibrancy today. The former I. Magnin building is an important anchor on South Lake Avenue, that once lay dormant. The dignity that has been restored to the building and the addition of the new grocery, childcare, and healthcare services have energized this historic business district and adjacent neighborhoods.
Sustainable Design at Erewhon
Erewhon’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the conscious decision to preserve and reuse the original structure of 475 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena. This approach significantly reduced the project’s environmental impact by eliminating the need for new building materials and avoiding a substantial amount of embodied carbon through adaptive reuse.
Beyond its environmental significance, the adaptive reuse of this landmark building builds the cultural fabric of the community, bridging the past to the future and restoring the dignity this building deserves. The work included generous outdoor amenities, hardscape, landscape, and seating at the pedestrian level, fostering a sense of community.
While upgrading the infrastructure for practical uses, the project team also incorporated leading sustainability features, aligning the building with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), the first mandatory green building standards in the United States. Notably, Erewhon’s market utilizes a refrigeration system with a carbon dioxide-based refrigerant, boasting one of the lowest global warming potentials (GWPs) among all available refrigerants and being the only non-toxic, non-flammable option on the market.
Other sustainable features include energy-efficient LED lighting and a white roof membrane, whose primary purpose is to reduce the absorption of soalr radiation, thereby lowering the temperature of the roof and building.
The adaptive reuse of the landmark building aligns with Erewhon’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices while maintaining the cultural fabric of the community and restoring the dignity this historic building deserves. The Pasadena community celebrated the transformation and continues to embrace it since the reopening.
