Walkability to Old Town is a great reason to buy new homes in Pasadena.

Walkability to Old Town is a great reason to buy new homes in Pasadena.

Old Town Pasadena is well known for its walkability—the area’s Walk Score of 87 out of 100 far surpasses most L.A. neighborhoods. It’s not surprising that real estate buyers are snapping up new homes in Pasadena, a city where you “can be in your residential neighborhood and take a short city walk and you’re in the middle of town,” said the L.A. Times’ Jonathan Gold. Especially when you’re talking about brand-new luxury townhomes that are right in the heart of everything that makes the city so great.

How important is walkability, really? Huffington Post mused that,” Baby Boomers and Millennials are coming together regarding the desire to live-work-play in an area where most of this can be done without getting into the car. It’s one of the key factors driving today’s real estate market; One of “The New Rules of Real Estate,” from Zillow Talk, by Zillow’s CEO Spencer Rascoff and Chief Economist, Stan Humphries, is focused on Walk Scores and how homes in more urban locations maintain and increase their value. Curbed concurs, stating that, “Research says walkable urban places command a rent premium, increase equity—and are poised for more growth.”

Those are important supporting reasons for moving to new luxury condos in Pasadena like Villas at the Ambassador Gardens and taking advantage of the perfect Old Town location. From here, some of the city’s best dining, shopping, cultural, and entertainment options are within a quick stroll, and so are some of the most popular employment options in the city.

Shopping and dining

Some of the best restaurants in L.A. as well as the top shops are right here in Old Town Pasadena, and within a short walk from Villas. Head four blocks northeast and you’re at One Colorado, an outdoor destination that “unites the urban environment of 17 historic buildings with 40 contemporary fashion and dining attractions…designed in the tradition of European town squares,” said Old Pasadena.

Pick up a little something at Kate Spade, MAC, or Patagonia, and then have a great meal at favorite Pasadena restaurants Sushi Roku, Il Fornaio, or Café Santorini. And don’t forget about iPic Theaters. The only thing better than a movie night is a movie night with a meal, a cocktail, and a reclining seat all in the same place. When you live in Old Town Pasadena, you can do it all without having to find parking.

On the other side of Colorado Boulevard is shopping including the Apple Store and Tiffany & Co., and restaurants ranging from quick eats to upscale dining. A block east is Union, known as one of the top restaurants in all of Greater L.A. Keep heading east down Colorado, part of the historic Route 66, and you’ll hit even more great dining and shopping in Old Town Pasadena. Paseo Colorado is six blocks away and is home to everything from West Elm and DSW to Equinox and the Arclight to Islands and Yard House.

Architecture

Pasadena has “16 historical districts packed into 23 square miles,” said Visit Pasadena, and inspiring architecture is everywhere you look. Five blocks from the community is Castle Green, a Nationally Registered Historic Monument and one of the best examples of Pasadena’s storied architecture. Built in the Moorish style in 1898 as part of the Hotel Green, it is today a special events venue. If you want to see more than the detailed exterior, book a tour, which is offered just a couple of times a year.

Gamble House, one of the prime examples of American Arts and Crafts architecture, designed by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908, is seven blocks north of the community. City Hall’s Renaissance architecture and majestic dome are another given if you love architecture, and the beautiful spot is just over a mile from Villas.

Culture and Entertainment

You don’t have to go to downtown L.A. to catch a play or tour a museum. There are numerous cultural options right in the heart of Pasadena that are walking distance from Villas at the Ambassador Gardens.

Just two blocks from the community is the Norton Simon Museum. People come from far and wide to see works from masters including Rembrandt, Monet, and Renoir.

“The Norton Simon’s Gehry-helmed makeover in the late 1990s raised the museum’s profile, but it also helped to expand the range of the museum’s collection, giving it more space and creating a calm, simple environment,” said Timeout. “After you’ve checked out the temporary shows, head into the excellent sculpture garden.”

The Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) and the Pasadena Playhouse, which shows a variety of plays and musicals, are just over a mile away.

Employment

Many professors at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and employees of Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) live in Pasadena so, among other reasons, they can be close to work and maximize their time at home. Caltech is 1.8 miles from Villas, walkable for those who like a hearty stroll and within easy biking range. JPL is a few more miles away and is popular with cyclists. There’s even a JPL Bike Club.

Recreation

Want to see a game or be part of one? Rose Bowl Stadium is a brisk 1.4-mile walk to the northwest. Three more blocks and you’re at Brookside Golf & Country Club.

Natural Beauty

The Huntington Gardens, close to Villas at the Ambassador Gardens by car, has a popular Japanese garden. But if you want to walk to one from Villas’ new homes in Pasadena, head south on foot to the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. This surprising and serene space in the middle of Pasadena was “conceived in the 1930s as a private estate garden, and hidden from view for decades, a historic restoration brings new purpose to this place of special beauty,” they said. This two-acre treasure, just 1.5 miles from the community, includes a 15-foot waterfall and formal teahouse.

One of the most peaceful and naturally beautiful spots in Pasadena couldn’t be any closer. It’s right outside your door at Villas at the Ambassador Gardens. In fact, it’s the “Ambassador Gardens” right there in the name of the community. This historic amenity includes lush open space, a sprawling lawn, intimate sitting areas, majestic oaks, meandering pathways, and soothing fountains and streams. You won’t spend any time at all getting there, but don’t be surprised if you spend hours exploring, or simply enjoying the stunning surroundings.

For more information about new homes in Pasadena or or buying a luxury townhome in Old Town, offering a lock-and-leave lifestyle with spacious floorplans, gourmet kitchens, private outdoor spaces, and elevators in each unit, visit Villas at the Ambassador Gardens. You can also click here to be added to the VIP Interest List.