Two guest rooms in cottages G and H would be converted into garage space under a plan proposed by The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore. The view of the cottages from the south side of the property.
Two guest rooms in cottages G and H would be converted into garage space under a plan proposed by The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore. The view of the cottages from the south side of the property. Credit: Courtesy rendering

The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara was back before the Montecito Board of Architectural Review last week, this time for a conceptual review of two twin cottages and other outdoor design changes.

The board favorably reviewed design plans for landscaping and lighting changes, improvements to Hill Road, and six new gated driveways and parking areas on the 12.32-acre parcel at 1260 Channel Drive in Montecito. 

One guest room each in cottages G and H also would be converted into garage space. 

The design team said that originally, the guest rooms in question had served as garages. With the change on the table, they would return to being garages. 

The board asked whether it was possible to make all of the new trees Camphor trees. Board member Stacey Isaac also requested that the black acacia trees, a highly invasive species, be removed from the plans.

Board members expressed a preference for a crosswalk or striping along Hill Road near the tennis court. People often use that area as an informal crossing, the design team said.  

Representing the applicant, land-use agent Mark Lloyd said Public Works had pushed back on allowing a crosswalk or striping in that area. According to Lloyd, Public Works believes that people can and should use a nearby, formal crosswalk instead. 

Board chair Thiep Cunp told the room that 20 years ago, he “almost ran over Bill Clinton, our 42nd president, at exactly that spot. I was about three seconds away from being arrested.”

“That might help you” with changing Public Works’ mind, Cunp said. 

Isaac said she encourages the applicant to lobby the Planning Commission and Public Works for the crosswalk for safety reasons.

The design changes now will go to the Planning Commission before returning to the Board of Architectural Review for final design review. 

Two guest rooms in cottages G and H would be converted into garage space, under plans discussed Thursday. Credit: Courtesy graphic

The Biltmore renovation project as a whole received final design approval with conditions from the review board back in November 2024.

A new family pool complex, new bungalows, new back-of-house facilities and new renovated guest rooms are included in the new plans. 

The hotel, owned by Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner, closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 650 employers were furloughed at that time. They sued. 

Warner’s team began updates to the property a few years after the closure, but those plans have faced delays as they made their way through the review pipelines. 

Social media accounts associated with the Bilmore have not been updated since 2020. 

A banner on the Four Seasons website states that the resort is expected to reopen in 2026.

Loyd did not respond to an email from Noozhawk asking about the exact timeline for the Biltmore reopening.

— Noozhawk South County editor Evelyn Spence can be reached at espence@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.