El Paseo Building, Spanish Colonial Revival building in Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States.
El Paseo Building is a Spanish Colonial Revival structure in Carmel-by-the-Sea featuring traditional craftsmanship throughout its design. The building contains a central courtyard with imported Spanish ceramic tiles, hand-carved wood details, and ornate wrought iron railings that appear in multiple areas.
The building was constructed in 1928 by architects Blaine and Olson for L.C. Merrill, blending elements from both new and historic Spanish architectural traditions. Its creation came during a period when Carmel-by-the-Sea was establishing itself as an artistic community with strong Spanish design influences.
The courtyard features a terra cotta sculpture titled 'The Greeting' by Jo Mora showing two figures from early Spanish California in a formal encounter. This artwork reflects the historical connections between people who shaped the region's character.
The building connects Dolores Street to Seventh Avenue through a narrow passageway and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors should note that restaurants and shops are located within its interior spaces, which makes the passage busy and lively.
The stairway features patterned tiles sourced from Spain that create colorful decorative effects. These details are easy to overlook when moving quickly through the narrow passages but reveal fascinating craftsmanship when examined closely.
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