CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL RESOURCES INVENTORY DATABASE
City of Pasadena
 
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Resource Summary
654 S MARENGO 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: COTTAGE COURT 
B2.
Common Name: COTTAGE COURT 
B3.
Original Use: Dwelling/ Multi Family 
B4.  Present Use: Dwelling/ Multi Family 
*B5a.
Primary Architectural Style: Colonial Revival Bungalow 
B5b.
Secondary Architectural Style:  
*B6.
Construction History: Date Built: 1923 
In 1991 a plan was approved to move #650 back 36 feet and to add two bungalows to the side rows increasing the number of units from seven to nine. In addition #652 was reconverted to residential from office use.
*B7.
Moved?: Yes No  Unknown Date:    Original Location:   
*B8.
Related Features:
*B9a.
Architect:  
b. Builder:  
*B10.
Significance: Theme:   Area:  
Period of Significance: 1923  Property Type: Multi-family Residence 
Applicable Criteria:
National Register Criteria: California Register: Local Register:  
Context:   Other:  
The bungalow court form, with Pasadena generally attributed as its point of origin, represents an innovative solution to high density housing which reached its highest expression in Southern California.

The courts promoted a specific style of living, providing the amenities of a single-family residence—privacy, gardens and porches with the conveniences of an apartment—affordability, community and security. The Craftsman magazine noted that the court form “filled a real need in home building” by furnishing “for the same money greater comfort and independence than is possible in an apartment”. Along with the economic and aesthetic considerations, the social importance of the courts has also been recognized: “The residents of a court complex had a small neighborhood identity within the larger neighborhood, and a group identity within the community.”
 
B11.
Additional Resource Attributes: HP03 
*B12.
References:
 
B13.
Remarks:
 
*B14.
Evaluator:  
Date of Evaluation:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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