The Castle Green

The Castle Green is a magnificent residential building in Pasadena, California that draws the attention of any passerby. Built in 1898, the grand building, which is surrounded by lavish gardens, has a unique blend of many architectural styles that include Mediterranean Revival, Moorish Revival, Spanish Colonial, and Victorian. It was built with all the turn-of-the-century charms: a grand lobby and ornate wrought-iron staircase, a ballroom, sun room, and multiple salons with tiled and hand carved fireplace mantels, a man-operated wrought-iron elevator, plaster and wood moldings, and decorative wood detailing. However, it was originally bult to be a luxury hotel, a product of the Victoria-era luxury resorts movement that catered to the growing trend of vacationers and health-seekers who searched for warmer climates, cleaner air, and leisure lifestyles.

The mastermind behind the planning of the hotel was Edward C. Webster who built Hotel Green in 1887, which was across the street from the current Castle Green. He also built a train station near the hotel to connect Pasadena with the Santa Fe Railway that provided rail services between Chicago and Los Angeles. However, when Webster filed for bankruptcy, Colonel George Green acquired the hotel. Colonel Green, who had made his fortune selling medicinal elixirs, expanded the hotel by building Castle Green in 1898 and a bridge to connect Hotel Green and Castle Green. By 1935, the original Hotel Green was sold and renamed Pasadena Hotel and Castle Green had transitioned from a lavish resort hotel to an owner-occupied apartment building for long-term residents.

While Castle Green is a private residence, the Friends of Castle Green open the building to the public for their annual summer and winter tours. I had the wonderful opportunity to take the summer tour this year and it felt like stepping back in time.