ABOUT
The Claremont Packing House stands as the largest historic building and as a landmark attraction in Claremont Village. A century of architecture comes alive with fine dining, live music, hip boutiques, wine tastings, art classes, art walks, and festivals. It's a great place for day trips, date nights, or to drop in and hang out.
The Packing House is located in Claremont Village, a downtown neighborhood with more than 50 boutiques shops and kiosks, 40 eateries and cafes, a dozen art galleries, and special events all year round. There are popular nightspots such as Laemmle’s Art-House Cinema. And it's all next door to the famous Claremont Colleges with their many museums, theaters, and academic events.
To find out more about the Packing House's rich history, click here.
HISTORY of CPH
The Claremont Packing House, built in the early 1900s, was a key hub of Southern California’s citrus industry. Restored after years of decline, it now stands as a preserved landmark of Claremont’s agricultural past.
The College Heights Orange and Lemon Packing House
The City of Claremont was an agricultural champion. Its growers founded the state's first agricultural cooperative to process fruit, pack it with beautiful commercial art labels and market it throughout the world. Claremont's bounty had followers all across the country and even reached Queen Victoria's dinner table in 1893.
The largest co-op in Claremont was the College Heights Orange and Lemon Association and it built this packing house in 1922. For decades it was one of Claremont's biggest employers and a major force in the City's economy. However, after the construction of the freeways, orchards in Claremont were replaced with suburban housing. In 1972 and College Heights closed its doors and the Packing House suffered a long period of decline.
RESTORATION of CPH
The City of Claremont eventually purchased the building to save it, and hometown developer Arteco Partners (led by Jerry Tessier and the Tessier family) completed the award-winning restoration effort in 2007. Historic features were preserved, such as the three-story tall sawtooth skylights, while improvements were made for a vibrant mix of lofts, offices, galleries, boutiques, and entertainment venues. Once again, the Claremont Packing House is a centerpiece of community life.
