Last week, two city commissions delayed for a month their votes on the much anticipated Fox Plaza development proposed for downtown Riverside. Members of both the Cultural Heritage Board and Planning Commission — comprised of city-appointed residents — said the postponement was necessary until after the public comment period for the Draft EIR is closed….
After 35 years of being seemingly frozen in time, the mid-century facade of the old Imperial Hardware Company store in downtown Riverside is no more. The city, which recently finalized the purchase of the long-shuttered building, began dismantling Imperial’s modern false front early Monday. By midday, nearly three-fourths of the aluminum covering had been removed,…
This past Thursday, the city of Riverside held a “Restoration Celebration” open house for the Fox Theater in downtown. Over a thousand people showed up to take a sneak peek inside the long-shuttered theater prior to its forthcoming $30 million renovation into a 1,600 seat performing arts center, which is expected to be completed in…
Before there was a Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Riverside there was, well, an actual Main Street, with actual cars — and curbside parking. Seen here in photos approximately 50 years apart is a view of Main Street looking north toward Mission Inn Avenue (formerly Seventh Street) from near University Avenue (formerly Eighth Street)….
Sunday, January 21, 2007 – If one visits downtown Riverside, as we did today, they will notice the historic Fox Theater is now fenced off, awaiting a $30 million renovation. As one of the centerpieces of the $780 million Riverside Renaissance Initiative — which outlines 25 years worth of citywide projects in about 5 —…
Saturday, September 16, 2006 – A few photos and thoughts while strolling the Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Riverside. The weather was sunny and mild as folks browsed the quaint stores or grabbed a bite to eat. Paper covers the windows of the future Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which is scheduled to open…
Considered one of the finest examples of Beaux Arts Classical architecture in the nation, the Riverside County Courthouse is a gem among civic buildings. Designed by Franklin Pierce Burnham of the architectural firm of Burnham and Bliesner of Los Angeles, the 1903 courthouse is patterned after the Grand Palais (Grand Palace) from the 1900 Universal…
One of the things that most fascinates us are how places and/or buildings change — or don’t change — over time. Sometimes it’s a simple paint job on an old house or building while at other times an entire building — or entire block — is completely redeveloped. Such is the natural evolution of cities….
A handful of plans currently in the works will reshape downtown Riverside and, for the first time in a long time, include serious mixed-use development with an emphasis toward residential uses. The projects, which include a mix of condos, townhomes, lofts, commercial, and arts uses are expected to begin taking shape throughout 2006. Each will…
One of the finest neon signs from Riverside’s post-war past may soon be coming down in the name of progress. The owner of the Thunderbird Lodge located at 2711 University Avenue is in the midst of a $1.3 million overhaul of the atomic-era motel. Sadly, not included within the renovation are plans to keep the…
