Pasadena Showcase House and Red Cross to Collaborate on 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design

Over 30 designers will bring the historic Cravens Estate on former “Millionaire’s Row” in Pasadena – currently headquarters of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross – back to authentic life

From STAFF REPORTS
Published: Sunday, December 6, 2009 | 8:10 PM

Those who have long been members of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA) – as well as those who have faithfully attended PSHA’s annual benefit, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, one of the largest and most successful garden tours in the nation – are well aware that each design house is unique. But this year’s event, which will take place from Sunday, April 18 through Sunday, May 16, 2010, will break new ground in a variety of ways.

“Our 46th Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be a collaborative effort with the American Red Cross,” says Delise Menik, PSHA President. “We’ll be bringing the historic Cravens Estate, currently the home of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley chapter of the Red Cross, back to vivid life.”

The 26 interior designers and 7 exterior designers taking part in the Pasadena Showcase House of Design will face a unique challenge this year.

“Often we say PSHA ‘transforms’ a property,” explains Beverly Marksbury, Benefit Chairman. “But that’s not quite the case with the Cravens Estate. We’re working with a team of experts in historical architecture and preservation to revitalize the property rather than renovate it. Yet, while we’re taking the greatest care to respect the estate’s past, our designers will also make use of cutting edge design technology, trends and creativity.”

Once one of the gracious estates on Pasadena’s “Millionaire’s Row,” the nearly 20,000 sq. ft. French Chateau mansion was designed for John and Mildred Cravens by renowned San Francisco architect, Lewis P. Hobart. It took two years to build – work began in 1929 and was completed in 1930 – and was inspired by the grand Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in France.

“What’s interesting is that Mildred Cravens was a Board member of the American Red Cross,” says Marksbury. “She held many meetings at the estate and, then, as it turned out, the house was sold by its current owner, Simon Zervos, to the Red Cross in 1964. But here’s what we didn’t know until very recently. The Chateau Vaux-le- Vicomte served as a Red Cross headquarters during World War I and II.”

The 46th Pasadena Showcase House of Design may seem familiar to many who visit it…especially to those who watch films or television. The property has served as a set for such motion pictures as Rush Hour 3, Traffic, Being There, and Public Enemy and television shows including Desperate Housewives, Murder She Wrote and Madmen.

“And now the Cravens Estate has set the stage for a wonderful collaboration between two Pasadena-based nonprofits working together to benefit the community,” adds Menik. “We’re so grateful and thrilled that the San Gabriel Valley Pomona Chapter of the Red Cross agreed to join us this year.”

For Ben Green, Executive Director of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, the collaboration is unique in that the two nonprofit organizations involved have such long histories. “Our chapter has been helping others for over 90 years, since our founding in 1914,” says Green. “And the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts is celebrating its 61st year of existence.  It’s exciting to think of the good we can accomplish, working together.”

To date, the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts has contributed over $17 million to musical arts organizations throughout Southern California. These range from larger institutions like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and LA Opera to local high school music departments, libraries and music therapy programs at hospitals, senior centers and foster care facilities.

Tickets for the Pasadena Showcase House of Design – which includes not only a house and garden tour but the Shops at Showcase, featuring over 25 vendors, plus a restaurant and bar – will go on sale February 15.  Prime Time tickets (Saturday and Sunday, all day; and Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.) are available for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Weekday Matinee tickets (Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. to closing) are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Service fees are additional, and shipping and handling fees may apply. No infants or children under 12 are allowed on Showcase property. For more information, visit www.pasadenashowcase.org or call 626.578.8500.