Anyone who knows Brigham Yen knows he’s a fanatic when it comes to being politically active and involved in his community. From promoting Asian Americans in the American mainstream media (such as pop singer CoCo Lee) to lobbying for expanded mass transit options for a car-obsessed Los Angeles, Brigham remains committed to his principles. You could say his fuel stems from a rebellious nature rarely satisfied with the status quo.
After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2004 with a B.A. in Mass Communications, Brigham moved back down to Los Angeles and found himself enthralled by the early signs of urban revitalization happening in Downtown LA. It started with a camera and a mission to learn about the hidden treasure in his city’s own backyard.
As he wandered into the “foreign” territory of a forgotten urban landscape, left forlorn and dilapidated by decades of neglect due to the centrifugal forces of suburbanization, the historic edifices that lined the streets of LA’s urban heart were whispering tales of grandeur of LA’s heyday decades before he was even born. The more Brigham visited Downtown LA, the more he familiarized himself with the landscape, memorizing streets and the history behind each building. It was no surprise then that he was soon hired by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District to help contribute toward the urban renaissance.
Hired as an economic development “gatekeeper,” Brigham acted as liaison to businesses and property owners, potential residents and real estate agents. For almost two years, he worked tirelessly to recruit businesses and residents to invest in Downtown LA’s resurgence. He also worked on large scale programs that successfully marketed Downtown LA as the most exciting new place to be in Los Angeles.
Today, Downtown LA is livelier than ever and continues to evolve into the dream that Brigham has always had for his beloved metropolis of LA–recreating the urban and social connections destroyed by suburbanization. Brigham is a licensed Realtor in California and continues to “speak” loudly through his blog voicing his support for expanding mass transit and smart growth throughout Los Angeles. He has garnered great positive feedback for his blog and is grateful for the support.
You can email him at: brigham [at] brighamyen.com
It looks like they are starting construction on the MTA right of way above the gold line trains in Old Pasadena, in the alleys that run above the gold line tunnel.
Maybe they are starting to replace the asphalt with grass and a park. Do you know anything about it, or know any website that has info about it. They just started today.
Hi John, yes, the Gold Line ROW will be transformed into a pedestrian alleyway that will be within the design guidelines of the Pasadena Streetscape Plan. There won’t be any grass, but the city does plan on repaving the asphalt, adding street lamps, benches, as well as potted plants.
Also, another exciting part about the plan will be the ability of businesses that border the alleyway to lease space along the path to add outdoor dining seating!
The Old Town BID has also been working with the city to attract possibly a farmers market. In any case, it might be safe to say that eventually outdoor festivals will take place within this new pedestrian alleyway!
Hi, thanks for this blog, it is a great source of information! Do you know anything about the property at the corner of Sierra Madre and Colorado? It was once the Bounjour Bagel Cafe, and now there’s a sign in the window saying the “Plate 38″ restaurant is coming soon, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a site url listed (plate38.com) but there is no content there. Any scoop on this place?
Hi Sarah. Thanks for sending in the tip. I was not aware of this new restaurant and will check it out. It sounds exciting!
Good website!
Why thank you JDR! :)
Obviously, it goes without saying that I love your blog. I just wish I had a more reliable way to get to Pasadena more often from the Westside…
Hi Brigham,
Love the blog. Do you know anything about the strange pet store that’s moved into 569 S. Lake St.? It appears to be selling really young looking puppies and toddler couches? It seems out of place to say the least.
Thanks!
Allison
Brigham – I really like your vision for Pasadena. There is a rich and textured history here and to bring creative ideas and new businesses together in neighborhoods with character and diversity is a win-win for all who take part. Thanks for providing the leadership we need to reinvent the next Pasadena.
Love your blog! Keep up the great work!
Thank you Karen!
Just found your website, it’s great! I’m new to Pasadena and I’m very excited about living here, and your website will provide lots of interesting information to keep me ‘in the loop’.
Do you happen to know what’s being built on Fair Oaks, just south of Mountain? It looks like the new construction is wrapping around a few hold-outs. Thanks for any info!
Welcome to Pasadena Ruby! Thanks for the feedback.
Looks like Jack Huang is moving into the old Pasha location at 124 E. Colorado Blvd.
Do you know what type of restaurant it will be?
Hi Bob, thanks for the tip. I have no idea, but will definitely check it out when I have a chance.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167171&id=148448587950#!/album.php?aid=167171&id=148448587950
Yesterday morning, a family of geese tapped their beaks on our front door, wanting to get through to the pond in our sculpture garden. What were we to do?
Location: Norton Simon Museum
I love Pasadena and will always remember the beauty of the Rosebowl for UCLA games. Your site is so important, Brig, to educating the denizens of Pasadena on important factors effecting the future demography and ecology of the city with transportation playing such a vital issue in So Cal. Just be thankful you are not on the Westside now commuting to work with projects on the 405 and Sunset. It took me an hour to go from Santa Monica to West Hollywood tonight from work leaving @ 3pm-can you imagine leaving @ 5 pm? Great Blog.
I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog. Great posts!
Thanks Adam! Let me know if you ever have any questions about real estate in LA.
The development on the west side of Fair Oaks, a bit south of Mountain Street is a 4-story project that will contain condos on the top 3 floors, retail on the ground level. A few small old buildings were torn down to make way for it.
It’s also next door to a one-story retail building, which dates back to the early 1900s. That is supposed to be torn down and replaced with a commercial/office project.
The street greatly needs such improvements because it’s gotten really mangy through the years. There remains things like an abandoned liquor store and other struggling properties. It’s a shame, too, because that part of Fair Oaks is not too far north of Old Town Pasadena.
Thanks for the tip Terry! I will have to check it out sometime.
@Terry, thanks for the information!
Are you on Twitter yet? @mybeautybunny and @beautyrebellion
:) Jen
Received your website via google the other day and absolutely liked it so much. Continue the good work.
Love your blog and check it out to see what is happening around town. Any idea what is going up on Sierra Madre and Foothill near Spring Garden where the old Encounters bar had been empty for a few years?
Looks like Barn Burner BBQ on South Fair Oaks has closed. It has a sign up front that says Closed For Remodeling.
Yes, I saw that the other day and wondered if it was permanently closed or truly is being remodeled? I don’t see why a restaurant that strives to be “rustic” would need to be extensively remodeled to the point that it would be closed down for an extended period of time. Thanks for posting.
I heard a local Karen Lukanic bought Barn Burner…. I’m happy, she’s a very talented restaurateur. (The Palm, Wolfgang Puck, LA Farm)
Interesting info thank you for your tip!
The most difficult thing is to find a blog with unique and fresh content but i think you offer something different. Bravo.
Pingback: Half of Livingstone Condos Sold in Pasadena | Pasadena Real Estate [Blog] with Brigham Yen
I stumbled upon it this week. I saved it as a favorite -- Thanks
Your site is terrific! I’ve been following your site on/off for the past couple of years (on/off because I moved to central Illinois). Although I like that you branched out to other Los Angeles areas, is there an easy way to filter everything to just Pasadena posts? I’d like to easily keep up with my former hometown. Maybe you just need a generic and consistent ‘Pasadena’ tag?
Hey Brigham,
It looks like you’ve completely devoted your site to DTLA-based posts. Are there any Pasadena blogs you can recommend? I live in Old Town and would like to keep up with the happenings around my area.
I hope to one day have your job! I mean everything you do is my dream :) Keep up the good work!