Charming though it may be, a building as modest as The Bottle Shop‘s wasn’t likely to last long in such a prominent location on a street that keeps gets fancier—and the clock started ticking a lot faster after it sold for $5.6 million in August 2024.
The good news is that the commercial building proposed to replace it would make a striking addition to the street. Working with BBP Architecture, developer Marc Winnikoff has chosen not to maximize the floor area ratio or the massing, siting the 4,857-square-foot structure off the street and leaving ample space on the lot for light, air, and parking (under a solar-panel carport).
The style is post-and-beam and a little industrial, utilizing steel and concrete in an homage to the railroad crossing not too far away, and also a little Northern California, at least in my view, with a dramatic peaked roof and wood incorporated into the facade. With an octagonal tower on the west side inspired by the old flower stand, the structure lives up the marquee moment of that corner, while simultaneously paying homage to the gas-station shape of the current building. (The proposed project is just a shell, with no use or tenant determined at this time.)
It’s worth bearing in mind that Coast Village Road can handle something that stands out. While there’s some worthwhile architecture on the street, many of the larger buildings range from uninteresting to unfortunate, and there’s certainly no consistent style that needs to be adhered to.
Because Coast Village Road is part of Santa Barbara, the project went before the city’s Architecture Board of Review yesterday afternoon for a one-time pre-application consultation. The board members were generally in favor of the style but had concerns about the height and/or proportions.
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I will miss the Bottle Shop, but I’m not sure I will miss their pricing.
What I will deeply, deeply miss though is the sense of joy and wonder that you only can get there from pawing through a randomly merchandised shelf of only semi related bottles. And then you find a bottle of motor oil. Or a first aid kit. Or a single package of Twinkies.
Agreed Andy. It’s a treasure of liquid assets! I’m not feeling this style of architecture for Coast Village Road. A glass tower? Who will plow into it first? LOL A glass building would be a stark contrast to the style of Clark’s, The Coast Village Inn and Bar Lou. Which I have always found charming. How about matching the style of building where Renaud’s is located? Solar car parks give an airport feeling. Do you know if The Bottle Shop will open elsewhere?
Seems dark – lightening up the overall look would seem to improve the property.
While I’m glad this corner is finally getting its due and I like the design in theory, it will stick out like a sore thumb in this location. The all glass greenhouse-like facade will make it too hot and seems impractical for just about any tenant. The solar parking spaces are inspired, though.
I think the design needs to be rethought. It really doesn’t fit in with what is on CVR. You have Jeff Shelton’s whimsical architecture, Montecito Inn’s Mediterranean design and Bar Lou’s more cottage/Carmel look. I say pick one of those 3 and not introduce a 4th style. I think the glass would look out of place.
Agree.
Agree 100%. Attractive in itself but not plonked down on CVR. Does not fit in at all with the local-and-cozy-but-sophisticated look of the other retail and food establishments and offices there. Too bad.
I love it! The building reminds me of The Shed in Healdsburg that unfortunately closed after the wildfires about 8 years ago. They had a great cafe, an amazing selection of pantry items, cookbooks, great housewarming gifts and awesome gardening tools etc. I think upstairs was used as a wedding/special events venue. That would be awesome here!
Love the look. As Erik pointed out, there is a range of design along CVR so this won’t “stick out” but rather add another interesting dimension.
PS, Would love to have a Healdsburg Shed-type business here
I don’t know where these architects come up with such atrocious designs. A barn greenhouse, in the era of climate change? Totally out of scale with the street. An aesthetically bankrupt person’s idea of style. Not a great use of the location, internally or externally.
For the love of Pearl Chase, let the planning commission give this one a nice boot out the door.
Something I did not mention in the post is that the design is net-zero and LEED Gold.
WOW very impressive and much needed here! It’s wonderful the developers decided to spend the extra $$ to go that route.
Net-zero and LEED gold is fine, but why not have something that fits in more, is classic, with an look that represents the best of this area’s look?
Net Zero. LEED Gold. Does not make up for an out of place building. It’s a beautiful design for a different location. It gives me a florist, garden store vibe. No dedicated tenants yet is troubling.
Loving this for Montecito! Net Zero and LEED Gold (plus-plus) aside, the design is striking, well-thought-out, and a nice departure from the same-same outdated architecture of the area. The property owner and architecture have done an excellent job preserving the spirit of the property while bringing it to modern day with style and taste.
This is pretty random, but I wish your website had a better image lightbox to view all the images on the site and that it didn’t auto rotate through photos when I click to open an image. If the images could somehow also start bigger and if the arrows to rotate through were bigger, or if the X to close was bigger… I’ve heard foobox is good for images on WordPress sites. Anyways, love the content here, I just feel real estate images ought to be observed in grandest scale. Cheers to the Siteline!
That design is ugly and will become dated and out of place ’landmark’ . Surely they can do better.
Too much glass, a giant see through block without any architectural definition needs a rethink. What tenant would want everything out in the open for all to see?
It sticks out like a sore thumb. It needs various elevations for interest.
South facing with all that glass?
Also, the scale is way off.
Also, not a fit on CVR at all. I agree with another commenter—choose an architectural style that exists somewhere on that road, already, and go with a design which will blend in—and not detract.
In a strange way, the new building echos the old Bottle Shop configuration. I really like the solar parking – very good use of space. I like the rectilinear shapes and roofline as opposed to trying to have yet another version of curved arches. I can see the point of the metal and glass appearing harsh and dark but I like the glass look. My question: who gets to hang out on the second floor balcony? (Other comment- I miss the great margaritas at Cava!)
Agreed – I miss the margaritas and the great chips and salsa at cava!
I am appalled to see this abomination land in our sweet little Spanish style town. Can anyone point me in the direction on how to fight this?
Agreed, this building does not cohesively fit on the street. It may be bold and striking, but also completely out of place for Coast Village Road…
I’ve provided input to the CV Road for nearly 50 years working with developers as a Designer/Broker. We do have an assortment of styles and color but the general look is somewhat subdued and classic with a few exceptions. At first glance; this new glass structure is handsome but as many viewers have provided; it is not quite ‘right’ on our unique lower Village. I also think that the tenants would want to add window covering for the south facing sun/heat and that could certainly take away from the look. Let’s try and go to the review meetings and at least try to soften the presentation. I will miss the friendly desk attendants who always ‘wish me luck’ when I buy a lotto ticket!!!
With care,
Maryanne Brillhart
MB Properties
I like the addition. I believe when it’s built, he should invite The Bottle Shop to open a space below. That would be the only business I believe that would bring in a lot of revenue. A lot of Montecito residents feel like it is an exclusive liquor museum. The new owner would make great money if he invites The Bottle Shop into a space below.
Good start. Nice homage to the roof and flower shop… not that either of those were architectural standouts on CVR. More seating/stucture moved to front/parking to back for more pedestrian/hang out friendly streetside. More Monte’s less Aspen ski lodge – try a bit harder. This is a whole new architectual element and the train track reference is a stretch. Im all for more creative spaces like Clarks – but needs least of hint that it holds hands with its neighbors without stucco and red tile. the modern building a couple spaces down could be inspiration except the parking lot out front.
one more comment,, that space always screamed beer garden to me. or Big Star Taco in Wicker Park. more open space to enjoy ocean breeze… we need more open spaces to hang out, drink and eat on CVR.
Very thoughtful remarks. Good suggestions!
I’ll be interesting to see, what they uncover, when they begin to dig.
The site renderings show stairs and a switch-back incline from the sidewalk to the building. The bottle shop is all at street level. What accounts for the 2-3 feet of new elevation?
The solar panel covered carport looks very “urban planner” to me, but that must be part of the LEED Gold certification.
Just off the top of my head, since there used to be a Gas Station there, those underground gas tanks, should’ve been removed, and the area soil decontaminated, if need be , but if they haven’t been, well they will have to be, and that’s a pain in the ass. Just ask Mc. Donalds in Carp.