First phase of Le Meridien Hotel taking shape across from Santa Anita Park. Ground broke more than two years ago. The five-story building, on the site formerly occupied by the Santa Anita Inn (its address was 130 West Huntington Drive), was set to open first quarter of 2020, but it has been delayed. It will have a combination of Art Deco elements, inspired by nearby Santa Anita Park, with Modernist features. Architecture firm Architects Orange, interior design firm Linda Snyder Associates, and Snyder Langston is the construction team building the Le Meridien development that spans 6.5 acres.
The Derby could highlight new hub. If developers get their way with a zone change and other approvals, the area around the 1920s-era Derby restaurant will be transformed into a mixed-use development with the eatery as its centerpiece. Right now the 2.23 acre project site has 2 structures, the two-story restaurant at 233 East Huntington Drive and a vacant one-story building at 301 East Huntington Drive, once occupied by Souplantation. The new development would include 205 market rate residential units and 9 affordable units.
Rod's Grill, Arcadia's beloved classic diner, announces its closure after nearly 70 years. Closing date will be Sunday, February 12, 2023. It is located at 41 West Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. The diner began as a small chain of restaurants in 1946, with the Arcadia location opening in 1957.
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart's Hart House is open in Monrovia at 602 West Huntington Drive. This fast food is all plant-based, no additives or hormones, artificial colors, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup and it's delicious. Karen MacNair of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce waas present at the ribbon cutting.
Shrimp and crab-stuffed salmon at The Derby, 233 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, is recommended and the restaurant's menu and reputation are also described.
Anita Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Le Méridien Hotel in Arcadia
The Anita May Baldwin statue at the Le Méridien Hotel will be unveiled on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. Anita is the daughter of city founder, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue will be featured on the opposite end of the Huntington Drive islands’ hotel property.
“We are very excited to be bringing Anita back to Arcadia,” said Mayor Sho Tay in a statement released by the city. “I would like to thank the Shen, Liu and Chen Families, Jeff Lee, the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, Heather D. Gibson and Margaux L. Gibson, and the Arcadia Historical Society, for their generous donations.”
“On behalf of the Baldwin family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Arcadia City Council, the Arcadia Historical Society, the Le Méridien Hotel and all those who have supported this effort to pay homage to my great-great grandmother, Anita May Baldwin,” said Margaux Gibson. “This magnificent statue of Anita will showcase a strong woman who was ahead of her time. I am proud to call Anita May Baldwin my great-great grandmother, and I am truly proud to be a part of this historic project.”
The Anita statue was sculpted by local artist and southern California native Alfred Paredes — who created the Lucky Baldwin statue on the corner of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue — and is aptly named, “A Legacy of Charity” in honor of Anita’s contributions to life in early Arcadia and throughout California.
A statue to honor Anita M. Baldwin, daughter of Arcadia's founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, will be built at the new Le Meridien Hotel, a luxury hotel in Arcadia. The artist/sculptor is Alfred Paredes, who also created the Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin statue.
Unveiling of Anita May Baldwin statue brings peace and beauty. Anita May Baldwin was dedicated down the road from the statue of her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue was unveiled yesterday at the official grand opening of the Le Meridien Hotel on Huntington Drive in Arcadia. The statue is called "A Legacy of Charity," made by artist Alfred Paredes.
Le Meridien hotel by Marriott in Arcadia is taking shape. Photo. The site of the former Santa Anita Inn, now razed, is the site for an ambitious new $300 million hotel and mixed-use condominium project opposite the Santa Anita Park racetrack. Contruction has been swift, but delayed a bit this week due to the rain. Developer Chateau Group USA held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the project on June 27, 2018.
Arcadia kicking off holiday season with annual tree lighting celebration on December 2, at Arcadia Transit Plaza, at the corner of Santa Clara Street and North First Avenue. Mayor Sho Tay will light the official Christmas tree. and Santa Claus will visit.
Breeders' Cup. Teen boy dies day after namesake horse wins. Cody's Wish, which won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile race at Santa Anita Park, was named after 17-year-old Cody Dorman. Cody's Wish won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for the second consecutive year. Cody Dorman had Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Lightscape, a 1-mile trail of art installations that celebrates the holiday season at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, runs selected dates November 17 through January 2, at 301 North Baldwin Avenue.
Arcadia's historic Derby Restaurant may be relocated. A mixed-use project may take the place of The Derby and Embassy Suites at 211 East Huntington Drive - 233 East Huntington Drive. Local historian Sandy Snider expressed concern that the 99 year-old building may end up being razed. George Woolf bought the Derby in 1938, originally named Proctor Tavern when it operated in 1922. Councilman Paul Cheng supports the relocation of The Derby. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, August 13, 2020 for "The Derby-what's next?"
Medical hub marks rebirth, rebrand at USC Arcadia Hospital. In July the 119-year-old Methodist Hospital of Southern California officially became USC Arcadia Hospital. It's a new era for the 348-bed hospital on Huntington Drive. The "new hospital" will build on the history of Methodist, which operated in Arcadia for more than 50 years, and grow into a "one-stop."
Pasadena Symphony announces Brett Mitchell as new music director, beginning a 5-year tenure on April 1. The Pasadena Symphony makes up half of the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Organization, and officials said Michael Feinstein will continue as conductor of the Pasadena Pops, which presents an annual summer concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
Arboretum again shines a light on the fanciful. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden has once again been transformed into a garden of illumination with its Lightscape holiday event. The nighttime walk-through attraction has taken over a mile long path with 18 elaborate installations that mix light sculptures and special effects with holiday-themed music.
TailoredSpace brings flexible co-working space to suburbs. TailoredSpace CEO Drew Sanden, a seasoned commercial real estate broker, launched TailoredSpace with COO Scott Maples in 2019. The company has been expanding its office campuses in Southern California suburbs, offering flexible co-working and communal spaces for fixed-price monthly memberships. Sanden said he cut his teeth in brokerage along the 210 Freeway corridor--Monrovia and Arcadia.
Arcadia through the years: Mayor Paul Cheng hosts 48th Annual Community Breakfast and State of the City on September 6, 2023 at Le Meridien hotel at 130 West Huntington Drive. Ed Andersen of Arcadia Historical Society and Rotchana Sussman, owner of White Springs Cafe, are featured speakers.
Diners line up to get last meal at Rod's Grill in Arcadia. Restaurant that has served generations of people closes on Sunday (yesterday). Hundreds of diners made a final pilgrimage to Rod's Grill in Arcadia at 41 W. Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. Rod Wellman started the restaurant in 1946 in Alhambra. The Arcadia location opened in 1957 offering 10 cent coffees and 40 cent slices of pie a la mode. Wellman's sons Barry and Brian took over years later, then Manny Romero bought it about 25 years ago and kept its vintage vibe. Romero was an immigrant from Mexico. He died in 2021. Television shows such as This is Us, Mad Men, Last Man Standing, and Luck, had filmed episodes there. See hard copy in VF. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, A4, February 9, 2023.