Historic House Is Sold for $1

A turn-of-the century house designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene, has been sold for $1 to a local architect.

The two-story Craftsman-style home, built in 1903, will be moved Oct. 15 from the 200 block of Madison Avenue to the city’s newest historic district on North Marengo Avenue, said Joe O’Brien, whose son, architect Michael O’Brien, acquired the house.

The house was offered eight months ago for $1 by developer Greg Yerevanian, who wanted to clear the Madison Avenue site for a condominium project. City law forbids destruction of Greene and Greene homes.

Although O’Brien may be getting a bargain, it will cost him as much as $40,000 to move the house.

Pasadena’s Cultural Heritage Commission approved the move last month.

The house was built by the Greene brothers for a Pasadena teacher. Its new location will be in an area of Pasadena known as Garfield Heights, home to dozens of Craftsman and Victorian homes.