What would the famed architects George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs do?

That is the question the Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission is trying to answer when it comes to the future of the Lobero Theatre.

The Lobero Theatre Foundation has proposed adding about 10,000 square feet to the back of the theater, a 900-square-foot addition to the Scene shop, and a new courtyard off the Lobero Paseo. Plans call for a rooftop with a terrace for events.

“The courtyard pavilion would be an absolute game-changer for the Lobero,” said Brett Hodges, a Lobero board member and historian. “It would help to ensure that it thrives for another 100 years.”

The Lobero Theatre is the longest-running continuous theater in California and is celebrating 100 years this year. The new pavilion area would only be visible from the Anacapa side of the street.

“It would provide a space that is all-weather, that is elegant, for pre-show and intermission gatherings, and something ticket-buyers seem to demand these days,” Hodges said.

The theater was designed by Smith and Riggs in the Spanish Colonial Revival style in 1924. A rear addition was added in 1926.

The Lobero is designated a city landmark and is home to the performances by the State Street Ballet, Opera Santa Barbara, Music Academy of the West, and many others. It is also an epic concert venue with regular jazz performances. Some of the historic performers who have graced the stage include Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Holland.

Popular artists and performers such as Carol Burnett, Bobby McFerrin, and Tracy Chapman have also appeared at the Lobero.

The Lobero team took their idea to the Historic Landmarks Commission on Wednesday for a pre-application review.

The feedback was mixed, with members saying they agreed with the Lobero’s need to expand to improve the experience for guests, but they raised questions about whether the proposed addition was appropriate for the historic building. The addition would be to the north of the building where there is a tent structure currently.

“Architecturally, we tried to keep the building very simple,” said Mark Shields, architect with DesignArc. “We didn’t want to make it fancy, we wanted to make it subservient to the iconic tower of the Lobero.”

Cass Ensberg, an architect and member of HLC, asked that the addition be less visible.

“It feels like this is a whole different building that has nothing to do with the Lobero,” Ensberg said. “It feels like, ‘Oh, someone did another building over there.’ It doesn’t feel like it’s part of the Lobero.”

Ensberg added, “I don’t feel like that is what George and Lutah would do.”

She urged the design team to “strip it down and keep it simple.”

Hodges said the new addition would help the Foundation save hundreds of thousands of dollars in office rentals and would provide an opportunity for an additional source of rentals for organizations that don’t need a full 600-seat theatre.

They are paying $250,000 to $300,000 a year for office space in 12 offices next door.

Commissioner Robert Ooley said the new addition should be “invisible.”

“My challenge is adding on to such an iconic building,” Ooley said. “I get this extreme challenge. I am currently teetering on the fence of whether the building should be added onto at all.”

He urged the designers to returned with a scaled-back plan.

“I am struggling about whether this is the right solution for this iconic building,” Ooley said. “If we struggle with it I think the community will struggle with it as well.”

Commissioner Steve Hausz, however, liked the design and said he believes that Smith and Riggs would also respect it.

“I am so happy to get rid of that ugly, green tent,” Hausz said.

The architect Shields said he would simplify the addition and make sure the architecture is sympathetic and attractive.

“Buildings can change, and they need to change in a positive way,” he said. “Certainly, this is an iconic Santa Barbara landmark. It’s a beautiful building.”

Commissioner Ensberg said she was confident that an addition would work and be designed appropriately.

“We all love this building,” Ensberg said. “It is just one of those things that is part of our treasure trove that we all love. We are all very passionate about it.”