The Western Justice Center Foundation Campus is located in four historic bungalows. Built during 1925-1935 in Mediterranean Revival style architecture, the site originally formed part of the grounds of the Vista del Arroyo Hotel, a luxury resort that flourished in Pasadena during the early 20th century. The hotel fell victim to the Great Depression and, as it faced bankruptcy, was taken over by the U.S. Government in 1943 for use as an army hospital treating injured soldiers returning from the Pacific war front. In 1949, the General Services Administration took over, but shortly thereafter the facility was abandoned.   The facility was neglected until the 1970’s when the distinguished Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit requested transformation of the hotel into a new courthouse. The tower was restored in 1985 as a courthouse for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Judicial Circuit. WJCF joined with the City of Pasadena to acquire four of the bungalows and raised $500,000. The City of Pasadena purchased the site and structures from the federal General Services Administration (GSA) and leased them to WJCF on a long-term basis for charitable purposes related to conflict resolution, law and justice.

The Center's four buildings, modestly called bungalows, range in size from 3,000 to 13,000 square feet. They were designed by the noted architectural firm of Marston and Maybury. The Center has undertaken to restore these buildings with great attention to historic detail. This campus  constitutes a Western landmark that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

To find out more about renting our historic facility for your special event, or to view a virtual tour, click here.