The Scripps Home closed in November as owners prepare to tear it down and replace it with a more modern and spacious home for elderly residents. Today was their plant giveaway and dozens of people and local gardeners showed up to help themselves to Scripps flora. My husband and I did too, just as the day was winding down. You can see from the scars in the land that plenty of greenery was had by all. I’ll chronicle the evolution of the home here.
Altadena Above It All 
January 28, 2008 at 1:51 am
I think it is horrible that they are destroying that beautiful architecture to build what ever. I’m so tired of contractors coming in and taking down homes and putting up those gaudy castles that go from one edge of the property to the other and are completely out of place. I was born and raised in Altadena and I still live in Altadena having raised my children here. I have been in Scripts Home because my mother had older friends who lived there and it was fantastic. Tell me, what did they do for those people who signed over everything they owned to live there?
May 4, 2008 at 9:39 pm
The elderly people who lived there were moved down to the Kensington in Alhambra, someone I know. It’s very sad to say, but many of the people who were moved down to the Kensington will probably not live long enough to be able to see the day that they are returned to Altadena. What is being built where Scripps was is a place called Monte Cresto. The building they are planning to build is a huge complex.
June 18, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I will make an educated guess based on the census data showing the huge growing numbers of elderly. Retirement homes necessary to house and care for our aging baby boomers must happen – the merger is a brilliant move by Directors who are doing the very best at meeting a very real senior housing need. Simply brilliant!
Prepare to house the elderly – and, dignify them with honor.
God bless.
July 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I live a couple of blocks away from this property, and did not realize what was going on until I saw this heritage building demolished. I’m truly sad, and hope this event doesn’t mark the beginning of a dramatic change in the architecture of our community. Altadena is still a unique place. I’d also appreciate for the town council website to be kept up to date with agendas and minutes – they only have available 2007 data.
October 19, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Unfortunately, the opposition to this huge project was not organized until the last minute when it was too late so the land use committee, town council, and county planning commission approved the project in spite of our efforts to make them all know that we, the neighbors don’t want four story, high density project in our low-profile neighborhood. However, in the end, the interest of providing “much needed housing for senior citizens” mattered more to the town council and the county than did the overwhelming opposition of the neighbors. Not only is this project too ambitious and huge for our neighborhood, I would challenge the popular opinion that this housing design is not beneficial for senior citizens. First, is this model of development where seniors are housed together in a high density complex good for their well-being? I would like to see the studies, because in the past, segregating large groups of any population into a large complex of high density housing in the has been known as “institutionalization.” My opinion only. Also, this “non-profit” complex will charge the senior a 90% refundable upon moving or death deposit (no interest paid) of $400,000 to $800,000 to move into the complex, plus monthly fees of $2500 to 5,000 on up. This is good? These are the financial figures the MonteCedro gang presented to the town council. Finally, the complex will be huge, high density, overwhelm the surrounding neighborhood and provide us with views of huge four story buildings instead of views of trees and of the mountains. This is good for Altadena?
July 9, 2010 at 4:12 pm
The land use committee, town council, water and county planning commission are all buddy buddy with the former CEO – In fact he was on many of the board of directors for the above mentioned parties…… So Notice – It never mattered about notice….It was a slam dunk WINNER right from the start