Robbins Brothers Looks to Future With Pasadena Flagship in a Historic Building

By Karen Dybis | November 18, 2025

With its grand chandeliers, ornate 28-foot-high ceiling, and original 1928 murals, a historic landmark of Pasadena, Calif., has gotten a new shine as Robbins Brothers’ flagship store.

Formerly headquartered in Azusa, Calif., Robbins Brothers now calls its store at 587 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena’s Playhouse District its main flagship. Robbins CEO Marc Friedant also describes it as a reinvestment in Pasadena.

“Returning to Pasadena felt like coming home. This city is where our story began, and this building embodies that legacy,” he says. “We wanted a space that holds the warmth of a heritage jeweler yet delivers the experience today’s customers seek.

“From the moment you walk in, you can feel its old-world energy,” adds Friedant. “The craftsmanship, the architecture, and the sense of history in every detail reflect the values that have guided us for generations—quality, trust, and perseverance.”

robbins brothers pasadena interior — *Robbins Brothers arranged the jewelry cases in its Pasadena store so a salesperson would stand side-by-side with the customer, for a warmer experience.*

Robbins opened inside the former bank—a 1927 Renaissance Revival building on the National Register of Historic Places—on Nov. 15. The space includes designer boutiques, in-house repairs and customization by a master jeweler, a hospitality lounge, and state-of-the-art diamond viewing rooms.

There’s also a basement vault that Robbins will use for meetings, brand activations, and community events. A prime example of what the retailer wants to do at this location, Friedant says, is the “modern fairy tale”–themed styling party it hosted with Verragio on Nov. 13, where social media influencers got to meet Verragio creative director Sophia Macris and try on pieces from Highgrove and the brand’s other collections.

In the Pasadena store, diamond viewing rooms are private spaces where clients can slow down, get comfortable, and spend time finding the perfect gemstone. The hospitality lounge—interior designer Ross Doolin’s tribute to old-school jewelers, says Friedant—features a curved sofa to mirror the store’s arched windows, and a stone coffee table, highlighting the type of fine materials used in the original bank.

“Every detail, from the antiques to the custom pieces, was chosen to honor the building’s history while creating something fresh and inspiring,” Friedant says.

Robbins was drawn to the building for its history, he says, but he and his team have been thrilled with its one-of-a-kind interior and the opportunity to shape something new within such impressive architecture.

“The 28-foot ceilings are extraordinary,” says Friedant. “They flood the space with light and air, creating a feeling that’s both grand and grounding. The marble, the antique gold accents, and the way sunlight pours through the arched windows all come together to create something timeless. It’s beautiful, but it also feels alive.”

Robbins Brothers Pasadena piano — *A baby grand piano in the hospitality lounge, easily visible from the street, draws people inside to enjoy the Robbins Brothers store and its jewelry.*

Original carved wood panels on the walls are another favorite element, he says, though what Friedant loves most is how connected the store feels to the street. Oh, and there’s a grand piano just beckoning people to come inside.

“The baby grand piano serves as an open invitation for anyone to stop and play. It has become a symbol of the atmosphere we wanted to create—relaxed, personal, and full of life,” he says. “Music fills the room, people linger, and conversations unfold naturally.”

And that helps fulfill Friedant’s goal of creating a space where jewelry shopping feels less transactional and more focused on shared moments.

“People walking along Colorado Boulevard stop to look in, sometimes coming inside just to play the piano or see what’s going on,” he says. “These moments make the space feel warm and welcoming, like an integrated and integral part of the neighborhood.”

The combination of awesome architecture with Robbins Brothers’ own heritage and its new retail experiences makes the Pasadena store a prototype for future locations, Friedant says.

“Every detail encourages conversation, curiosity, and connection. By removing the traditional counter and creating a side-by-side environment, we’ve made it easier for guests to explore, ask questions, and be part of the journey rather than observers of it,” he says.

Top: Robbins Brothers’ new flagship is located in a 1920s architectural landmark of Pasadena, Calif. (Photos courtesy of Robbins Brothers)