Coast Village Walk Seeks Remodel

The retail center located at 1046 Coast Village Road, also known as Coast Village Walk, is proposed to be remodeled with expanded sidewalks and patio areas, which will entail the removal of 11 parking spaces. 

The project, which is in the City of Santa Barbara’s jurisdiction, was at the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review this week for conceptual review. The scope of work includes four new trellis extensions off the existing structure, new signage, four new outdoor seating areas, a water feature and stairs at the lower level terrace, new stone terraced retaining walls to provide screening at seating areas from the parking lot, four new long-term bike parking spaces, and associated ADA upgrades. 

According to a parking analysis provided with the project renderings, the site, with its existing tenants, is required to provide 74 parking spots. Currently, there are 86 spots; there will be 75 once the project is complete. The two ADA parking spots currently nearest the building will remain as part of the project. 

Initial comments from the ABR were positive, with board members noting that the project is in line with what exists currently on site. The next step will be working with the Staff Hearing Officer to determine project compatibility. 

The proposed improvements are making good on a promise owner Deborah Longo mentioned when she purchased the property in 2014: That she would enhance and add value to the property, which she called “one of the true gems of Montecito.” The property was purchased for $14.5M. 

The center is anchored by Starbucks, and includes tenants Vons Pharmacy, Santa Barbara Running, StretchLab, Quest Diagnostics, Occhiali Fine Eyewear, Ready Set Confetti, Blenders in the Grass, Sakana, Juniper, and will soon be home to Drybar, Montecito. 

Coast Village Walk is located at 1046 Coast Village Road.

Corrections & Omissions

In last week’s Village Beat, we reported on expansion plans for the Coast Village Walk retail center on Coast Village Road. A rep for the property reports that while the original plans called for an expansion of the outdoor areas along the entire complex, new plans have been scaled back, and only include expansion in front of Sakana and the future Drybar space. 

We’ll have more on the expansion as the plans progress.