Architects have found a way to include four-story buildings downtown — by hiding the fourth story from the street’s view.

A four-story seven-unit apartment building that would be added to the vacant lot at 501 Garden Street was proposed at the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review last week.

The building can reach a maximum of 48 feet. The fourth floor will be in a separate style from the rest of the floors and slightly offset from the rest of the building, which will reduce the appearance of the building’s four-story height from the street.

The proposed project includes seven rental apartment units, totaling 7,214 square feet for housing and a 383 square feet of commercial-retail space.

Each unit will be 937 square feet and there would be ten parking spaces provided for tenants.

Ryan Mills with DMHA Architecture presented the project plans for conceptual review and said designers took inspiration from traditional Spanish-style architecture that can be found throughout Santa Barbara.

The board was not required to vote on the plans’ proposal, but rather offered comment on the plan thus far.

The housing project is considered “affordable by design,” according to developers.

Architectural review board members were mostly supportive of the fourth floor idea.

Member David Black said he liked the fourth floor being less visible from the street. He believes the project is thoughtful and will be interesting, aesthetically.

Member Richard Six said he appreciates the applicant taking a priority housing project and providing an appropriate amount of parking and space for the rental apartments. 

“We know that Haley (Street) is an area in transition,” Six said of the project location at Garden and Haley streets.

No public comment was offered in person or over Zoom for the project during the ABR meeting.