I’d love to know how they are allowed to build so close to both the freeway and the train tracks!? Very strange to me, as no other buildings are that close to either.
This is the area for urban density but blank square boxes with dark cut-out entrances depress and discourage pedestrian activity.
Residences above shops. Varied set-backs. Generous porchere openings, colorful tile, community courtyards with water features and landscaping. Thrill the eye and heart.
These ugly barracks deaden the soul.
Creating a little joy and beauty won’t break the bank… and more people will want to spend time in the space.
Yes, the Clark beach house and cabanas are part of the Bellosguardo property. They were used at times by Clark family, friends, and staff.
SB is NOT London or Paris. High rise buildings are ruining the beauty of this town . We already have bad traffic, and this kind of high density will make it so much worse! Get real- very few would stop driving on a regular basis. I am all for some mixed use housing and nice town squares, but not these massive developments. So sad!
It's nice to see a party finally planning to utilize a rooftop deck. I don't understand why this town doesn't have any rooftop dining like Santa Fe or La Jolla. Santa Barbara is the perfect place for them with our mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
If entering the property from the driveway closest to the beach, there is a cluster of small buildings at beach level, below the estate driveway. Are these structures associated with the Clark estate? If so, what is/was its purpose?
Journalists are so often arrested and jailed in Turkey.
You summarised Istanbul so well! Thank you ❤️
Usually-empty parking lots are a perfect location for new housing. (I wouldn't judge Macy's business on the day before Christmas). I agree the architecture in this development is uninspired. They should just stick with the traditional look with maybe some twists. The "modern" buildings are just flat and drab. Would that the view from State would be as nice as the view from Hope. For inspiration, send the architect on a trip to Spain and Portugal. Lots of great ideas there.
I agree with one of the other commentors that at some point we have to stop building to accommodate cars and start building to accommodate people. Density is not the enemy. I have lived in two very dense cities (London and Paris) and they were the most exciting and people-friendly places I have experienced. In this climate, maybe walk? Bike? For disabled (like me) scooters? And how about we all slow down so pedestrians don't feel assaulted as we walk along State? You won't die if it takes you an extra five to ten minutes to get to Gelson's.
This opens up a whole host of opportunities. How about housing in the CVS lot on State/Laureles? One top of Gelson's or the adjacent strip mall? Imagine living with Gelson's downstairs! Never run out of milk again! There are so many one-story, usually ugly, strip malls in this area. How about three or four stories with parking underneath? If there is anyplace in SB should support more density, it's Upper State.
Thanks Erik for this cogent rendering of a complicated and interesting development.
Maybe Macys can move back into their still vacant spot in Paseo Nuevo.
Thank you so much! I’ve been so puzzled by that project every time I drive by.
“keep things affordable”? All but 39 will be market rate. And because this is a brand-new build, it will be some of the highest rents in the area. Remember when The Marc went it? I’d wager that was the start of $3k/mo for 1 beds here in town.
ugly, unimaginative, un-inspired. merry christmas!
I absolutely agree with Tamale Snob! The tamales at Comedor are like no other. The Comedor tamale is light on masa with a delicious flavorful filling. Definitely need to give it a try!
Behind the old Saks off 5th / now Amazon bldg?
If there was ever a graffiti palette waiting to happen ….
Stephen, you have it backwards. She did not leave Bellosguardo to the city, but to a private foundation. The city has incurred no expense. The foundation has applied to the city for permission to open for public tours.
Imagine paying 1.2 million for 1.2 months a year in a shared house? Where other random [people sleep and do the dirty (and worse) in the beds... Nothing about the economics of these houses makes sense. There is no upside, especially when they were all sold in the biggest bubble in decades. Besides the poor economics and upside, you are at the mercy of a corporate entity that may or may not be in existence in 5 years time... Who the heck buys these?
Very glad to read that the property will not become housing for the homeless or a high priced Medicare scam addiction center. Bring on the empathy and the learning!
I saw a high rise plan in oakland, 633 units...called Atlas and in the underground parking they are creating a car fleet of what one would call time share cars. They will be electric commuter vehicles and tenants will buy into them. The cars will be on the move all day long, rather than just sit at your work place for 8 hours. You might take out an electric commuter one day and a utilitarian truck another, or a van to travel to the desert. You will be able to car share to town from your parking garage, It just makes sense to start thinking this way instead of bemoaning traffic. Soon cars will be able to come and pick you up on the way to get someone else and with no driver. These buildings are the structures that will rent to inhabitants who will live with the innovation of tomorrow. Bikes also are so improved that we can commute with them. Oh my goodness if you have ever been to asia and seen all the little motor bikes four in a row in each direction. This is my biggest wish though. since we may have to accept on some level this increase in population density that we would at the same time go even higher than 70 feet for each building...making them narrower with greater space between... for birds to fly and views to be had of our mountains Tall glass buildings at la cumbre plaza. People looking out of these apartments rendered here will be looking at walls all day while those in high rises can look upon the ocean and hills and those on state street can enjoy the lights at night. Atlas sits on just 1 3/8 of an acre. 633 vs 684 on 8.4 acres block style that blocks views. My vision is 3 tall trees...the tallest in the world. I believe Matt Taylors son actually discovered the very tallest one. Let 3 tall buildings house 1899 residents on just 4 acres. When you look out the window in a tall building you yourself feel like a bird. Wouldn't if be fun to look out from a 320 foot building and see what a bird sees from the top of hyperion.
Santa Barbara has a critical need for Visiting Artist Housing, all kinds of artists, actors, designers, directors, stage crafts, musicians. Why not the place?
If it purposes is in support of the Arts, Housing for Artists would meet an urgent need. Theaters and Arts Organizations and comply with the mission
We need at least one non-boutique store in town. Macy's isn't great, but it has been the only place in town to get certain items.
The apartments will be rentals, although the Taylors said there's a possibility that the senior housing may not. As for unit size, I added a slide from the presentation with some answers at the end of the post.
I think it's simple math. They invest $250 million of borrowed money to make $250 million or more in net return. Macy's rent will never turn that kind profit. The real questions here are how big is each unit? How much will they cost including HOA fees, or are they rentals? Who can buy them? And the biggie, where does your dog take a dump. Besides the obvious water, traffic, and infrastructure questions All real questions are being bushed along with no hard answers.
