Downtown Anaheim is on the Rise

Downtown Anaheim is an often overlooked area that has seen a resurgence of positive activity lately. It is brimming with interesting architecture and places to check out. Downtown is actually located in the Anaheim Colony Historic District which is bounded by North, West, South, and East streets. Center Street runs down the middle of downtown and has recently been branded as simply Center Street Anaheim. The area is full of treasures so this post is only a sample of what's available to see. I will be back for more photos in the future.

Anaheim Blvd. & Center Street - Taller building is Anaheim City Hall

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Sadly, Anaheim tore down most of its true historic downtown commercial buildings in the 1970s, so most of the buildings are newer


Wells Fargo Tower -- 222 S. Harbor Blvd.

A couple loft developments were built during the real estate boom in the 2000s. Pictured are the Harbor Lofts, which are within easy walking distance of many amenities.

Harbor Blvd. & Center Street - Harbor Lofts Development

Many people do not know that the Anaheim Ducks (NHL Hockey for those who might not know), established their practice facility right in the middle of Downtown Anaheim on Center Street, The Rinks Anaheim Ice.

Anaheim Ice - Official Ducks Training Facility on Center Street

The Kraemer building is known as Anaheim's first high-rise. Fortunately it survived Anaheim's past demolition program and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

Kraemer Building - 76 S. Claudina Street

The Muzeo is Anaheim's museum and cultural center. It is housed inside of Anaheim's oldest library building which has been fully-renovated. As can be seen in the photo, there are new apartments right behind it.

Anaheim Muzeo - 241 S. Anaheim Blvd.

The Anaheim Packing House is Orange County's newest food hall. It finally opened to the public this year after several years of intensive renovation. Described as a Spanish Revival Citrus Plant, the Packing House was originally built in 1919 during Orange County's Agricultural era. It is a very short walk from Center Street.


Anaheim Packing House - 440 S. Anaheim Blvd.

One of Anaheim's newest condo developments just across the street from the Packing house called the Domain.

The Domain - New Condo Development

There are hundreds of historic homes within walking distance of downtown Anaheim. This 1921 Spanish Colonial Revival home is considered one of the nicest houses in the Colony Historic District.


Historic Home - 900 W. Broadway

Below is another registered historic home in the Historic Colony District. A little tip: All of the registered Mills Act historic homes are awarded a bronze plaque which the homeowners will typically display just outside of their front door. This plaque signifies that the residence is a qualified historic structure.

Historic Home

According to the First Presbyterian Church web page, their chapel was built in 1950 and is a "modification of the traditional Gothic style."

First Presbyterian Church - 310 W. Broadway

The St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel is located on the campus of St. Catherine's Academy, a Catholic boy's boarding school. This chapel was built in 1957 and has that mid-modern flare.

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel

The artist Jan Henryk de Rosen decorated the side of the chapel with large mosaics. Below is only a sampling which can be seen from the street (The campus is closed to the public).

Mosaics on the side of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel



Map of the Anaheim Historic Districts which is available on the Anaheim web page. Downtown is right in the middle of the area. If you are coming from Disneyland then just drive north on Harbor Blvd and there is plenty of parking off center street.

Anaheim Historic Districts Map (Credit to City of Anaheim Web Page)

Thanks for reading, your comments and questions are welcome!