A 30-room hotel is headed to Garden Street in downtown Santa Barbara, and will replace a commercial office.

Real estate investor and technologist Arvand Sabetian owns the building, which is occupied by 12 offices. The project is being designed AB Design Studio, Inc.

The hotel, which will feature a keyless, remote-entry system without onsite management, is located in El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District.

It went before the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission on June 7.

The panel stopped short of giving design approval, but most of the commissioners said the project was just about there.

“This is a very handsome looking building,” said commissioner Steve Hausz.

The project at 812 Garden St. received initial approve in early 2022, and mostly flew under the radar since the developer did not propose to significantly alter the exterior of the building, or increase the height limit.

Hotels are also allowed in that area of Santa Barbara.

But the development team later decided to make exterior alterations to the building, which triggered a more robust design review.

The plan calls for a second floor mezzanine, a roof reconfiguration, new doors and windows, new balconies, removal of exterior stairs, landscape changes, removal of previously approved roof decks, and a 796-square-foot reduction in floor area.

“It was a bit of a puzzle to transform this building to a Spanish-style,” said Will Rivera, architect with AB Design Studio.

The vote at the meeting was 5-1, with commissioner Cass Ensberg voting for project design approval.

The rest of the members said they wanted see a closer correlation between the hand-drawn
elevations and the computer drawings; simplified window openings; and study the details of the cupola, and other smaller details.

A nearby resident spoke about the project and expressed mixed views. He liked the overall design, but said the balconies on one side of the building overlook the Laguna Cottages, where he lives.

“Every effort you could make to reduce noise on that part of the building would be greatly appreciated, said William Nelson.

He asked for thicker windows and walls, and for the developer to reduce the size of the balconies “so that chairs and living space would not be available.”

He also said he is concerned about noise and parking, and asked that onsite management be required of the project.

“Otherwise it is going to become a police problem,” Nelson said.

Ensberg said the project was ready for approval.

“Great job,” she said. “It’s really, really beautiful.”