With unanimous belief in The Music Academy of the West’s vision to transform State Street’s long-vacant former “Forever 21” building into a Community Benefit Project, the Santa Barbara Planning Commission approved The Academy’s request to build to nearly 60 feet tall.
The building at 901 State St. housed one of eight businesses on the 900 block that shut down in an early wave of pandemic-era closures that still haunt State Street with vacancies.
The since-vacant property was purchased last summer by Montecito’s historic musical education academy. In a letter to the Santa Barbara Planning Commission, The Music Academy made a case to raise the building almost 15 feet higher than the city’s 45 foot build limit – which exempts Community Benefit Projects with up to 60 feet.
The proposed new height is 59 feet, 11 inches tall.
The plan would convert the two story building into a three-level music education center, with a tower reaching almost 60 feet and a new performance hall as the centerpiece. It would include new offices, dressing rooms, practice and teaching studios, a lounge and a rooftop event space with a view encompassing Santa Barbara city and mountain scapes.
Planning commissioners said they felt that the Music Academy’s new downtown presence would fit amongst an actively transforming State Street. The recently approved State Street Master Plan, a long-term project for revitalizing Santa Barbara’s downtown, leads the movement. Aiming to put community engagement at the forefront, the plan coincides with approved Community Benefit projects like The Music Academy’s.
“This is just another way that we’re going to enliven State Street,” said Commissioner John Baucke.
In order to receive the exemption from the 45 foot height limit, Community Benefit Project applicants must meet four findings. These include a demonstrated need, an exemplary design, livability (for housing projects), and architectural sensitivity to the character of the neighborhood. Case planner Carly Earnest explained at the meeting how different components of the design make each finding.
The new tower is “directly related to community benefit,” addressing the demonstrated need for finding: the tower is necessary to provide accessible entry to the rooftop space. In terms of exemplary design, the Historic Landmarks Commission weighed in with enthusiastic support. An HLC representative added that the building would blend with the rest of the El Pueblo Viejo District. She referenced the Marshalls building and Paseo Nuevo tower, which reach similar heights as The Music Academy’s building will.
Since 1947, The Music Academy of the West has served with the mission of providing musical education while broadening access to music experiences for the Santa Barbara community, according to their website. The Music Academy has inhabited the Miraflores estate in Montecito since 1951, which has seen many renovations and additions for educational purposes.
The Music Academy currently houses fellows aged 18-35 at the Westmont College campus, and also has a high school program for students 14-18. It also puts on a variety of festivals and performances. By expanding their operations to downtown Santa Barbara, The Music Academy hopes to expand its programming, too.
This addressed Commissioner Benjamin Peterson’s concern of “dead space” economically burdening State Street. According to Shauna Quill, president and CEO of The Music Academy of the West, the new building will alternatively encourage public engagement. She hopes that the project will bring in music lovers across genres, cultures and ages.
“Mommy-and-me music classes, to lectures, to artist residencies, to Santa Barbara Symphony rehearsals,” described Quill, “We hope to be a really active space year-round.”
Quill said The Music Academy will “absolutely” put on free programming, further increasing accessibility, which Chair of the Planning Commission Lucille Boss said is highly important for State Street revitalization. The Music Academy will engage with already active times for State Street, such as The Farmer’s Market and Fiesta.
The Music Academy of the West’s new building will deepen community involvement by bringing employment opportunities to State Street. They are looking to hire five new full time employees and part time employees for its stage crew. Volunteer opportunities will be constantly available.
“With big spaces vacated on State Street, the question has always been what to do with them,” Baucke said. “We’re glad to see you committing to the downtown and these deep spaces.”
