1917 Villa by a Prominent SoCal Architect Hits the Market in South Pasadena
Designed by Reginald Johnson—one of Southern California’s most influential early-20th-century architects—this 1917 Italian Renaissance Revival home in Pasadena’s coveted South Arroyo neighborhood combines classical European proportions with relaxed California living.
Secluded behind its original estate walls, the one-acre property unfolds across a main residence, private guest house, and a pool pavilion surrounded by lawns, rose gardens, and mature specimen trees. It’s a rare combination of architectural pedigree, privacy, and scale—qualities that make the South Arroyo district one of the most desirable pockets of Greater Los Angeles.
The 6,512-square-foot primary residence retains the hallmarks of Johnson’s work: symmetry, balance, and a reverence for proportion. Inside, a columned entry gallery opens to a series of light-filled entertaining rooms—formal living and dining areas, an adjoining library, and multiple fireplaces—all connected through Palladian doors that lead to terraces and gardens beyond.
The interiors blend historic craftsmanship with modern livability: honed marble floors, plaster walls, and period wood detailing sit comfortably alongside a chef’s kitchen, casual great room, and butler’s pantry designed for contemporary entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite spans an entire wing, with a bedroom, dressing and sun rooms, and a walk-through closet and bath. Three additional bedrooms and sitting areas complete the upper level.
A separate one-bedroom guest house with its own garden offers complete privacy, while outdoor spaces include a swimming pool, spa, dining pavilion with fireplace and grill, and a secluded tea room. Every element—from the motor court to the hidden rose garden—was designed to evoke the intimacy of an Italian estate, yet firmly grounded in the California tradition of indoor-outdoor living.
The home’s history mirrors Pasadena’s evolution. Reginald Johnson was a central figure in shaping Southern California’s architectural identity, best known for his classically inspired residences and civic works, including the Santa Barbara Post Office and numerous Pasadena landmarks.
Known as Villa Arno, the mansion has been home to Pasadena luminaries and is now owned by acclaimed fashion designer Richard Tyler and his wife Lisa. It embodies the refined craftsmanship and cultural continuity that define the region’s early residential architecture.
Renowned for dressing Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, and Cate Blanchett, Tyler’s sculptural couture defined red-carpet style in the 1990s and he built an international reputation for sculptural couture and precisely tailored silhouettes shown on runways in New York and Paris—a sensibility that echoes throughout the home’s symmetry, proportion, and understated elegance.
Adding to its contemporary relevance, the villa recently appeared as the Dellacorte Mansion in Apple TV+’s Palm Royale, the 1970s-set dramedy starring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and Allison Janney. Its sun-drenched courtyards and symmetrical façades served as the perfect stand-in for old-money glamour—introducing the property’s timeless elegance to a global audience.
Situated just northeast of downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena remains one of Southern California’s most architecturally significant enclaves—home to masterpieces by Greene & Greene, Wallace Neff, and Paul Williams. Within that lineage, Johnson’s 1917 villa at 225 Grand Avenue stands out as a rare surviving example of his Italianate period, preserved with extraordinary care and updated with quiet sophistication.
For collectors of architecture, design, or simply those drawn to Pasadena’s layered history, this estate represents a chance to own one of the region’s true architectural landmarks—equally cinematic and deeply livable.
All photos belong to the listing agency. Photograph by Sterling Reed Photography.
