It’s been nearly three years since Westridge announced the 20,000 square foot purchase on 310 Arlington Drive in early 2023. The new property isn’t just about more space, but about flexibility and improving the student experience. While the site currently looks like a typical Pasadena home, behind the scenes, Westridge administration is working on a large transformation that will eventually change the face of the entire campus.

Every ten years, Pasadena institutions, including Westridge, are required to submit their master plans, which set the rules for development on property owned by major public institutions. This past fall, after a long search, Westridge administration finally settled on a local architectural firm called Practice to develop a new campus-wide master plan, which is due to the city of Pasadena in September 2027.

Head of School Andrea Kassar described the purchase of 310 Arlington as the first domino in a larger sequence. It is the starting step to know both what the administration plans to do with the property and the effect it will create for the entire campus. By creating more room for certain programs and classes that may currently be lacking in space, Westridge hopes to create a campus that feels more spacious.

For students, the most visible change will be the removal of physical barriers. Once the master plan is approved, Westridge plans to tear down the wall located behind the Commons to connect the current campus with the new property. Currently, the administration plans for the 310 Arlington space to include additional new classrooms. Oftentimes, during a typical school day, there is a lack of available classrooms as well as general workspace and collaboration areas.

While the fall 2027 deadline seems far away, the envisioning phase has already started. The administration noted its commitment to getting input from the Westridge community, including faculty, staff, alumni, and students. Westridge is working to make sure the new space reflects the needs of the community, whether that means more classrooms, workspaces, or room to study. After the master plan is submitted, the next step is to begin fundraising for construction on the new property. “This is all slow and steady, but it’s exciting, and it’s just really, you know, forward thinking,” said Ms. Kassar. For now, 310 Arlington is a quiet neighboring residence, but in the coming years, it will likely become a core part of the Westridge experience.