Public Arts Commission approves 11,274-piece azulejo tile installation for 625 Fair Oaks

The South Pasadena Public Arts Commission voted unanimously to approve the final public-art concept for the 625 Fair Oaks senior housing development, a large-scale façade made from hand-painted azulejo-style tiles.

Dean Flores, senior planner, introduced the item and the applicant team before the commission considered the artist’s final materials. Artist Scott Feldman told the commission the work will be entirely hand-painted and that “there are 11,274 pieces of art.” He said production and installation costs — together with a per-tile painting process and substantial installation labor — push the project above the city's one-percent public-art threshold for the $92,000,000 building valuation (a one-percent guideline equals $920,000). Feldman also listed an installation estimate and other construction-related costs and described a tile map system to organize the work for masons.

Why it matters: the commission's decision clears the project to move forward in the entitlement and permitting process with the public-art component integrated into the building skin — a high-visibility installation visible from Fair Oaks and Raymond Hill. Commissioners asked for follow-up on legal reviews for likenesses used in the tile portraits and on maintenance planning before final installation.

Commissioners voted after a brief question-and-answer period about scale, timeline and maintenance. A motion to accept the project as presented, with the possibility of additional review of specific historical “greeters” as needed, passed unanimously on roll call.

Next steps: staff and the applicant will complete legal reviews for any likenesses that may require estate agreements, finalize a maintenance plan and proceed with the production schedule leading toward installation timed with the building’s completion works.