Architect Corner - Lionel V. Mayell, Father of the Modern Condominium

I’m fortunate to live in Pasadena where Lionel V. Mayell, the “father of the modern condominium” built six multi-family co-op apartments, of which two are designated city landmarks. Let’s take a tour…

Background:

Lionel V. Mayell (1897-1978) is attributed to have been the first developer of cooperatively owned apartments on the west coast. His first co-op apartment building was built in Long Beach in 1922.

There’s an in-depth article “Dream Big or Go Home” where you can learn more about the visionary who coined the phrase “own-your-own apartments” 100 years ago.

Villa San Pasqual at 1000 East San Pasqual (1954)

This was the first Lionel Mayell design that I discovered on a run in July 2020. Playfully pink with turqoise green accents, it caught my eye. The grand staircases leading to the second level condos and the geometric railing design made it standout from the other condos in Pasadena. Signage on San Pasqual St. and S. Catalina Ave indicated it was designated a City of Pasadena landmark in 2005.

After my run I learned about a similar style Lionel Mayell condo in Tucson called Villa Catalina and tucked that bit of information away should I happen to visit Tucson.

Whispering Waters at 1000 Cordova (c. 1960)

Whispering Waters was a relatively recent discovery for me in June 2021. The building plaque showed it was designated a City of Pasadena landmark in 2018. It is the last project known to be built by Lionel Mayell Enterprises in Pasadena.

The tropical landscape and breeze blocks adds a Hawaiian air to tthe place. If your timing is just right when you stop by, you may catch the external elevator in action.

Recently I happened upon the paperwork submitted for Whispering Waters’ historic designation. It listed the other properties below, 3 on Orange Grove Blvd. and 1 on North Grand. You can see Lionel Mayell touches in these designs, though the ones on Orange Grove show more restraint likely due to their location along the former “Millionaire’s Row”.

Plaza del Arroyo at 101 N. Grand Ave. (1955)

The Plaza del Arroyo is a 20-unit condo complex, off Holly St. close to the Gamble House. Some of the units have views towards the Colorado Street Bridge and the arroyo.

Capri Aire at 660 South Orange Grove Blvd. (1951)

Capri Aire units are buffered from Orange Grove Blvd. traffic by a deep setback and landscaping.

707 South Orange Grove Blvd. (1950)

Images of the units here were captured in the soft light of late fall. These are across the street from the Capri Aire complex above.

Orange Grove Manor at 164-180 South Orange Grove Blvd. (1949)

Though Orange Grove Manor is the closest to home, it was the last Mayell condo that I visited earlier this week. It’s easy to overlook on Orange Grove Blvd as it doesn’t call attention to itself. Best appreciated by walking through the garden courtyard and heading east.