Pasadena City Hall, City hall in Pasadena, United States
Pasadena City Hall is the city hall of Pasadena, California, designed by the San Francisco firm Bakewell and Brown in Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. The building measures 361 by 242 feet (110 by 74 m) and rises six stories. Its defining dome, above the west entrance, is 26 feet (7.9 m) tall and 54 feet (16 m) in diameter, crowned by a small domed lantern.
The architectural firm Bakewell and Brown designed the building, which opened on December 27, 1927. Major renovations including seismic reinforcement and facade restoration began in the early 2000s and concluded in July 2007.
The structure combines Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean elements, reflecting how California designed public buildings in the 1920s. The dome and arcades recall southern European squares and continue to shape the identity of the city center.
The building occupies a full block of the Civic Center District, with the dome set above the west entrance and three arched doorways at the base of the main facade. The 2004–2007 overhaul brought the structure to ADA standards, so entrances and public areas are step-free. Offices and council chambers are working municipal space, so access can be curtailed during meetings or events.
The building appears regularly in film and television productions, including scenes from Mission Impossible and The Big Bang Theory. The dome and arcades often serve as a backdrop for courthouses or city halls in fictional settings.
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