Americana Expansion to Preserve Historical Architecture

Caruso Affiliated and The Glendale Historical Society are collaborating to preserve the architecture of a building that will be used to expand The Americana at Brand. The plan is to relocate the façade of the recently acquired brick warehouse building at 230 S. Orange St. and incorporate it into the design of the new 135,000-square-foot Nordstrom building that will anchor expansion project. The Nordstrom building will be located along a pedestrian passageway that is to be created on what is now Orange Street and Caruso Avenue. “The Caruso team was very respectful of our concerns about preserving this example of a Mission Revival-style commercial building in Glendale,” said John LoCascio, president of the Glendale Historical Society. “We’ll be able to restore the façade while maintaining both its current orientation and the original materials of the building.” The façade’s original steel sash windows will become showcases for The Glendale Historical Society to install photographic images from Glendale’s past. Caruso will install additional display boxes in the design where The Glendale Historical Society can promote special events and program exhibits about the history of the city and its architecture. “The brick façade will be a charming addition to the project,” said Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated. “The Americana at Brand already incorporates architectural styles and building details recalling memorable Glendale structures so it is a natural extension to include the façade in the expansion design.” Caruso Affiliated is proceeding with the public process to receive permits for the development of the expansion, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013. Along with the Nordstrom building and the passageway, the privately-funded expansion project will also include public infrastructure improvements. Jessica Vernabe