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SB Buildings
updated: Jun 15, 2012, 9:24 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

What are Edhat readers' favorite SB buildings which many people may not notice? I am looking forward to these reader responses and photos.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 288170	2012-06-15 09:39 AM
I've always appreciated the building on the corner of Islay and State .. I think the address is 1804 State Street. The detail is lovely. It reminds me of Morocco - which is odd, because I've never been there.
COMMENT 288175	2012-06-15 09:45 AM
The mixed-use condo complex on the corner of Chapala and Gutierrez.
MCC	2012-06-15 09:51 AM
For fotos: the old walls on the east/south side of the 100 block of East De la Guerra st. Very picturesque architecture.
COMMENT 288182P	2012-06-15 09:59 AM
Hard to know what many people may not notice! Perhaps if the question were just readers' favorite buildings?
COMMENT 288189	2012-06-15 10:15 AM
The Barnsdall Rio Grande service station. Located on Hollister Ave. next to the Sandpiper Golf course in Goleta, it received the beautification award from the Garden Club of Santa Barbara and the Montecito Roadside Commitee. Built in 1929, it is in need of restoration and the chain link fence around it looks bad, however the elegant architecture is still evident today.
COMMENT 288198P	2012-06-15 10:32 AM
Ablitt House. Fascinating.
COMMENT 288201P	2012-06-15 10:38 AM
I strongly second the Ablitt House. I would love to go on a tour!
COMMENT 288202	2012-06-15 10:50 AM
Any Jeff Shelton designed house/building..... so a third vote for the Ablitt House and all it's cousins.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-06-15 11:29 AM
Most people never look up while walking or driving on State Street. There are many unique and beautiful details on lots of the buildings in the downtown corridor. I think a great answer to your question and an amazing resource would have to be the Urban Hikers series here on Edhat.
COMMENT 288218	2012-06-15 11:38 AM
I've always wanted to ask about the Army National Guard building on Canon Perdido at Nopal, across from the high school. It's such great architecture and seems like a real diamond in the rough. I'd love to know more about the history of that building.
COMMENT 288226	2012-06-15 12:05 PM
AIA Santa Barbara offices at 229 E. Victoria is very nicely designed and obviously used to be someones home at one time. They have done a good job of preserving that old look and feel. I used to walk by it on my way to work and it's easy to skip over if you're just driving by. Their website also looks like a good resource for those interested in local architecture.
COMMENT 288228P	2012-06-15 12:09 PM
@201P. I took a tour of Ablitt and it's remarkable. Everything, down to the tiniest detail are just fantastic. Highly recommend getting a close-up look.
COMMENT 288236	2012-06-15 12:28 PM
I have a fascination with the teeny tiny old houses along lower Garden, near Smart & Final. Some are boarded up, some are barely standing but still inhabited, as I often see lights on inside. These homes are barely the size of a garage, and I am fascinated by them. Who lives there? Who built these tiny homes? What is their history? Who lived there 100 yrs ago when it was built? Did someone raise their family there? What is it like inside? It is these small homes that intrigue me, not the big palatial homes.
COMMENT 288241	2012-06-15 12:37 PM
I've always liked the old orphanage on De La Vina close to Carillo. It looks creepy.
COMMENT 288252	2012-06-15 01:00 PM
You can view a video tour of Ablitt House. Google it. I can't post the link.
COMMENT 288265	2012-06-15 01:42 PM
I like the houses in the San Roque near Stevens Park. There are so many hidden paths and walkways, along with great masonry. The Riviera is cool also with all the stone work and trails down to the city. There are some great architects locally whose work I admire. I like adding stones from the creek beds or beach to make walkways, walls, and build gardens around. Good question.
AUNTIE S.	2012-06-15 02:22 PM
The row of houses on Plaza Rubio. And the "castle" on the corner of Garden and Pedregosa.
MESARATS	2012-06-15 06:13 PM
The Arlington because you can see it from all over town, the ceiling that dims and turns to night sky and fountain entry, the Whale house in Mission Canyon' built in the 70's by Michael Carmichael that now blends in to the surroundings and the inside made one fell like a hobbit The blue house low on the cliff between the Pit and Hope Ranch and not a house, but the ruins of the Tea Garden still very cool, but more so before the remains of the aqueduct and statues were vandlalized, the buildings down from the Lobero that used to be Chinatown. The old dairy on Milpas with the ever painted cow and the new house down the street with the calf on the roof that is turning to face the old cow.
COMMENT 288392	2012-06-15 06:59 PM
My House
COMMENT 288416P	2012-06-15 10:02 PM
Bekins building, hands down. Open it up as a multi-story artists' studio and gallery space, local farmers' market... destination.
STACE	2012-06-15 10:40 PM
There are so many wonderful "unseen" buildings in Santa Barbara that even after walking every street in the city we are certain we've missed more than a few... thanks, Aqua for the vote of confidence! My person favorite might be the Mullen & Henzell law firm in the 100 block of East Victoria, both for the mid-century archetecture and for the awesome Evelyn Ackerman mosaic that graces the front of it. Peter's first response is the old I. Magnin building at the corner of State and Sola, now home to the US Bankruptcy Court...oh, but there are soooo many wonderful hidden gems. Take a walk, take your camera and look for the details. It will change the way you see your town. I promise. Great question, BTW.
COMMENT 288437	2012-06-16 07:07 AM
I agree with 392. My house is best.
S.B.RON	2012-06-16 07:19 AM
The beautiful art-deco downtown post office. Amazing both inside and out. What will become of it when it shuts down???
BOOKSALELADY	2012-06-16 07:45 AM
For those with curiosity about buildings downtown, there are two walking tours offered every Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10-12. The Saturday one starts on the steps of City Hall at De La Guerra Plaza, and the Sunday one begins at the Central Library. Both are offered by docents of the Architectural Foundation of SB and cost $10 per person, students free. For further info, see info@afsb.org.
MARJELK	2012-06-16 08:06 AM
My favorite in my neighborhood is the Pagoda House on the corner of Grand and Valerio. Got to take a tour of it recently with the Pearl Chase tours.
COMMENT 288469	2012-06-16 08:32 AM
STACE, I SOoooooo agree with you about the Mullen & Henzell building! That mosaic is fantastic! I/m a HUGE fan of mid-century modern architecture, but sadly there isn't enough of it around here... it's all been red-roof Disneyfied.
ARCHIE	2012-06-16 09:29 AM
Speaking of the Sheltons, here's a great opportunity: the SB Arts Fund's annual Salon Series is hosting Salon #3/ Sunday, August 19, 4:00-6:00pm: Band of Brothers: Shelton Family Design Mojo at the award-winning Riviera home of Paul and Annie de Bruyn Kops. This salon starts with an art and architecture tour and ends in the courtyard where architect Jeff Shelton and his brother David Shelton discuss their creative approach working with clients and artists. They are joined by two of their favorite collaborators: stone carver Andy Johnson and glass designer Saul Alcaraz. Santa Barbara Architectural Foundation Executive Director Nancy Clare Caponi moderates.
COMMENT 288559	2012-06-16 12:44 PM
There are so many exquisite places in the City and the County. I wish to point out, however, that very few of the places we treasure are protected. Why is this and what can be done to change the situation?
COMMENT 288600P	2012-06-16 02:59 PM
559, What a great question! They vary so that it would be hard to fit into an established category. I wonder if it would be possible for some concerned person(s) to establish a Santa Barbara non-profit/foundation, dedicated solely to protecting SB houses. ...The owners, though, might not be thrilled with it, since it would hamper at least somewhat any development plans they might have.
COMMENT 288610P	2012-06-16 03:51 PM
559, What a great question! They vary so that it would be hard to fit into an established category. I wonder if it would be possible for some concerned person(s) to establish a Santa Barbara non-profit/foundation, dedicated solely to protecting SB houses. ...The owners, though, might not be thrilled with it, since it would hamper at least somewhat any development plans they might have.

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