Seven-Story Mixed-Use May Come To 490 North Lake Avenue In Pasadena

A new mixed-use proposal at 490 North Lake Avenue would add housing and street-facing retail to one of Pasadena’s busiest north-south corridors, as plans move into early design review with the Pasadena Design Commission. The project targets a prominent corner site near the city’s A Line corridor, where redevelopment pressure has steadily increased as transit access and commercial activity converge.

The development is being pursued by an entity affiliated with 4D Development & Investment, with architectural design by Kevin Tsai Architecture.

490 North Lake Avenue Facade via Kevin Tsai Architecture

The proposal calls for a seven-story building containing 149 apartments above approximately 9,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Parking for 135 vehicles is included on site, and the residential mix ranges from studios to three-bedroom units.

Affordability is built directly into the project’s framework. Twenty-three apartments are designated for very low- and moderate-income households, allowing the development to utilize density bonus provisions that support additional height and unit count. That approach reflects known policy tradeoffs in Pasadena, where increased residential scale is often tied to long-term affordability commitments rather than purely market-driven growth.

490 North Lake Avenue Facade 2 via Kevin Tsai Architecture

Architecturally, the building is organized as a series of stacked volumes that emphasize rhythm and repetition rather than a single continuous façade. Recessed and projecting balconies create shadow and depth across the elevations, while a rounded corner element softens the building’s mass at the intersection. The exterior treatment transitions from heavier materials at street level to lighter finishes above, reinforcing the distinction between commercial and residential uses.

The project is scheduled for a preliminary consultation rather than a final vote, meaning both design and massing remain subject to refinement as feedback is gathered. If ultimately approved, the development would contribute to the gradual intensification of Lake Avenue, replacing low-rise commercial uses with a denser mix of housing and retail that reflects Pasadena’s broader approach to transit-adjacent infill.

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