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.
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.
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.
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?"
City of Arcadia to place three measures on November 8, 2022 ballot. 1. Proposed City Charter Amendment Measure. The City Charter was last amended in 1998. The citizen-led Charter Review Committee recommends updates to mirror changes in state laws since 1998 and to reflect current local government standards, to include a) mirroring changes in state laws to increase voter turnout by moving the date of regularly scheduled city council elections from April in even-numbered years to the November Statewide General Election in even-numbered years. b) recognizing the city's change to by-district elections as required by California Voting Rights Act. c) Creating a rotation of mayor and mayor pro tem positions every 9.5 months to allow all council members to serve during their term. d) Change position of City Clerk from elected to appointed. e) other amendments to streamline government, utilize technology and increase transparency. 2. Two measures to increase locally controlled funding. One measure would increase Arcadia's local tax on stays at hotels and motels from 10% to 12%--similar rate to many neighboring cities. The other measure would enact a local tax on sports wagers if sports betting becomes legal in California through State Proposition 26, also on the November ballot
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.
Here's to those who install holiday lights. Columnist Anissa Rivera writes about light displays Reindeer Road: World of Illumination at Santa Anita Park and Lightscape at the Arboretum and others.
Restaurant review, by Merrill Shindler, of Craft by Smoke & Fire, a small chain with one branch in Old Pasadena, another in Arcadia, and a third in Anaheim. Barbecue, sports play well together. Craft by Smoke & Fire eateries have a very good balance of tasty food and entertainment. The Arcadia location is at the Santa Anita mall at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue.
Woman ahead of her time honored. Anita May Baldwin statue to debut at Le Meridien Hotel. She was philanthropist, key figure in racetrack. The statue is named "A Legacy of Charity," by artist Alfred Paredes.
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.
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.
James Val, a veteran film and television producer loves to decorate his Arcadia home for Christmas. He won a Holiday Decoration Award by the Arcadia Beautiful Commission.
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.
Lightscape 2022, a holiday walk-through, is open through January 8 at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Wander through dazzling displays of light, color, and sound.
In Norwalk, District Attorney George Gascón gets vote of no confidence, along with 18 other cities, including Arcadia. Complaints directed at embattled DA continue to grow in Los Angeles County and a campaign to recall him is underway.
Assistance League of Arcadia holds annual holiday boutique to fund clothing and school supplies for Operation School Bell Program at the Bargain Box Thrift Shop, 64 East Live Oak Avenue, Arcadia, CA
The Towne Singers present the choral concert Merry and Bright, a return to an in-person holiday performance at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on December 4, 2022, at 4:00 PM, at 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA.
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.
Beacon Media announces launch of Hey Media, targeted at younger consumers. Along with original reporting, hey Media will aggregate content from other local, regional and national sources to keep readers informed on issues that impact their communities, with a focus on social justice and impact issues.
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.