The burgers and fries at the Carl’s Jr. in Goleta are expected to be replaced with Sweetgreen's salmon and sweet potatoes. Sweetgreen plans to take over the site at 5820 Calle Real.
The burgers and fries at the Carl’s Jr. in Goleta are expected to be replaced with Sweetgreen's salmon and sweet potatoes. Sweetgreen plans to take over the site at 5820 Calle Real. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

Sweetgreen, a fast-casual restaurant that serves kale, salmon and sweet potatoes, is set to replace national chain Carl’s Jr. in Goleta’s Calle Real Shopping Center.

The Goleta Design Review Board gave Sweetgreen feedback on the design of the building, at 5820 Calle Real, with many of the board members suggesting that the architect add more character to the design.

Architect and board member Dennis Whelan said he was “disturbed” by how stripped down the building would be after the redesign. 

“I think the design is rather nurtured and has no character anymore,” Whelan said. “I would like to see some strong architectural character or expression.”

Andrew Lindley, an architect with the project, said the intent was to not make any major changes to the existing building — just clean it up, make it more open and maintain the red Spanish-style roof. 

Board members had other ideas.

Sweetgreen should replace the Spanish-style roof with a metal roof to match the planned design of the Calle Real Shopping Center, board chair Scott Branch said.

Andrew Lindley, an architect with the Sweetgreen project, says the intent is not to make any major changes to the existing building.
Andrew Lindley, an architect with the Sweetgreen project, says the intent is not to make any major changes to the existing building. Credit: Courtesy rendering

The proposal includes converting 783 square feet of indoor dining space into a covered outdoor dining patio under the existing roof, a new wood trellis and new outdoor planters. 

Sweetgreen plans to lower and reshape the current decorative parapet with the Carl’s Jr. logo. 

The existing drive-thru and parking are expected to remain.

The Sweetgreen proposal includes converting 783 square feet of indoor dining space into a covered outdoor dining patio.
The Sweetgreen proposal includes converting 783 square feet of indoor dining space into a covered outdoor dining patio. Credit: Courtesy rendering

Board members also wanted to see a low water-use lawn, a softer white paint for the exterior, and a design more similar to the planned redesign of the Calle Real Shopping Center.

The Sweetgreen proposal is scheduled to return to the Design Review Board on Sept. 9 for additional review. 

The project is still in the planning stage, so it is unclear when Carl’s Jr. would close or when Sweetgreen would open.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.