CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL RESOURCES INVENTORY DATABASE
City of Pasadena
 
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Resource Summary
638 N MAR VISTA Ave
DPR523B - Bldg, Struct & Object [print]
State of California - The Resource Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
BUILDING, STRUCTURE & OBJECT RECORD
Primary #:  
HRI #:  
*NRHP Status Code: 1S 
*Resource Name or #:   Survey Title:  
 
B1.
Historic Name: COURT at 638-650 North Mar Vista Avenue 
B2.
Common Name: Court at 638-650 North Mar Vista Avenue 
B3.
Original Use: Domestic/Multiple Dwelling 
B4.  Present Use: Domestic/Multiple Dwelling 
*B5a.
Primary Architectural Style: Colonial Revival Bungalow 
B5b.
Secondary Architectural Style:  
*B6.
Construction History: Date Built: 1927 
*B7.
Moved?: Yes No  Unknown Date:    Original Location:   
*B8.
Related Features:
*B9a.
Architect: Karl Valentine 
b. Builder: Karl Valentine 
*B10.
Significance: Theme:   Area:  
Period of Significance: 1927  Property Type: Multi-family Residence 
Applicable Criteria:
National Register Criteria: C  California Register: 3  Local Register: HMc 
Context:   Other:  
The Court at 638-650 North Mar Vista Avenue meets the registration requirements for its property type. The curt is an example of the detached wide court (enclosed) form of bungalow court. It is one of twelve examples of this form, and one of three examples of the Colonial Revival style classified under this form in the Bungalow Courts in Pasadena National Register Multiple Property Nomination. For a definition of characteristics, forms and significance of the bungalow court property type, please refer to the National Register Multiple Property Nomination.

The Colonial Revival style, which was very popular in small houses of the early and mid- 1920s, is illustrated in a simplified manner in this bungalow court. Classical influences, evident in the entry porticos, are mixed with Craftsman detailing such as exposed rafters and wide eave overhangs. The court was designed and built in 1927 by owner Karl Valentine. The small bungalows were constructed at a cost $1,500 each, while the duplex cost $3,000. Valentine was also architect, contractor and owner of a similar Colonial Revival bungalow court located at 1274-1280 North Raymond Avenue (1924-25) which is included within the Bungalow Courts in Pasadena Multiple Property Nomination as well.

Sited on a 100-foot wide lot, this court is unusually spacious for a bungalow court of the late 1920’s. By this time, the wide central yard and detached houses popular in earlier courts were giving way to narrow courts and half courts which could contain six housing units on a 50-foot wide lot.
 
B11.
Additional Resource Attributes: HP03 
*B12.
References:
Bungalow Courts in Pasadena multiple property listing.
City of Pasadena- Urban Consevation Archives. Assessor's building Description Blank #16184  
B13.
Remarks:
 
*B14.
Evaluator:  
Date of Evaluation:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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