A project to improve California’s oldest operating theater, Santa Barbara’s iconic Lobero, was approved by the Historic Landmarks Commission last week.
The Lobero Theatre, on East Canon Perdido Street, is a designated historic landmark in Santa Barbara. Todd Jerod, technical director for the Lobero Theatre, said that the project addresses problems he’s been aware of for a long time. Working there for over 35 years, Jerod has identified issues with space and functionality.
“This project is much more than just building a party room,” Jerod said. “It’s also solving a lot of problems that we’ve had.”
The proposed update would demolish the existing rehearsal hall and courtyard, and replace it with a new 3-story, 11,000 square foot building. This will include a new rehearsal space, rooftop terrace, bar and lounge, updated backstage storage, an updated basement and other improvements. The project will need approval from the Planning Commission to build to its proposed new height of 46 feet.
On its north side, the Lobero will get a new banquet hall, more bathrooms and an expanded basement with handicap access.
In the early 20th century, architect George Washington Smith popularized Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture in Santa Barbara. Smith also designed the original Santa Barbara News-Press Building. He worked on the design of the Lobero Theatre in 1924. Commissioners delved into details of the proposal to ensure that the new construction would be reminiscent of Smith’s style.
“This is a very important building to the city and even the state,” said Commissioner Robert Ooley.
Though the Historic Landmarks Commission was generally very supportive of the project, some commissioners had issues with a new pedestrian pathway, or paseo, to be lined with a wall built along the back side of the building. The paseo will include gates on either side. Kevin Dumain, project architect at DesignARC, said the design aimed to extend and enhance the current paseo.
Though the planners said the gates will sometimes remain open so the public can flow through the paseo, Commissioner Cass Ensberg said it felt like a “dead end,” prohibiting people’s ability to see through it.
“The wall is beautifully designed but it doesn’t feel like a public paseo,” Ensberg said. “Find that balance of keeping it as a public way.”
Fire Marshal Ryan DeGuilio added that the wall was added for legal and fire safety reasons. It is illegal to cross a property line as a means of exit, but the building needed one for fire safety.
This was the second time the project was seen by the Historic Landmarks Commission. It was first evaluated in January, and sent back with findings. This time around, the commission deemed the project ready to send to the Planning Commission.
