LOS ANGELES—Mill Creek Properties and Mack Urban are unveiling the Andalucia today. The 118-unit apartment complex is located in the Playhouse District in Pasadena, and it has been Mill Creek's mission to revive the historic 100-year-old neighborhood. The Andalucia is the second multifamily complex from the developer, and is already getting a phenomenal response.

“The playhouse district is 100 years old, so it dates back to 1917, and the playhouse itself was built in 1924,” Ken McCormick, CEO, Mill Creek Properties, tells GlobeSt.com. “Many of the historic buildings around here were built in the 20s with a Mediterranean style. The notion of the project was to create something that slipped right in and felt like it had been there for generations. It is a contemporary building, but it is totally built in the style of the 1920s.”

McCormick and Paul Keller, the founding principal and CEO of Mack Urban, had a friendship and former working relationship that brought them together for this project. Keller was also a good fit because he grew up in Pasadena. “Paul was raised in the Pasadena area, and he has huge empathy and understanding of what we were trying to do with Mill Creek. So, we became partners,” says McCormick.

The $50 million development has a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, with 11 of the units reserved for low-income housing. The property has a courtyard setting and great walkability. Inspired by the surrounding 1920s architecture, terra cotta pavers, tiled fountains and rough-troweled stucco are trademarks throughout the property, while the landscaping includes olive, Italian cypress, and citrus trees.

Pasadena has grown in recent years, and like all of Los Angeles, has a shortage of multifamily living. As a result, the community welcomed this property, and during the pre-leasing phase, a quarter of the units were rented. “We have only been at it for a couple of months, and we had our best week last week and have had strings of tours,” says McCormick. “It is the only project that has a courtyard feel and is so close to Downtown Pasadena. People have been very responsive about the combination of the location and the look and feel of the property.”

The Andalucia is next door to McCormick's first development in the Playhouse District, Granada Court. The developer has three other properties in the planning stages, but has not yet found a capital partner. McCormick was unsure if the Andalucia would be a long-term play for the partnership, but said that he felt that it would be a good long-term investment. “It is definitely a great investment, and I think we see it as a long-term investment,” he says.

Instant Insights /

Developer Focuses on Pasadena Playhouse District

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