Historic Pea Soup Andersen’s Building Moves Closer to Demolition After Buellton City Council Rejects Relocation

Demolition plans for Buellton’s historic Pea Soup Andersen’s building, a designated local historic landmark, are moving forward after the City Council rejected a proposal to relocate part of the structure.

During a March 26 meeting, the Buellton City Council rejected the relocation proposal, citing concerns over design compatibility. The proposal came after property owner Ed St. George filed a demolition permit for the site.

Because the building is a designated historic resource, demolition cannot proceed without mitigation measures under city regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act.

Relocation Proposal Rejected

One proposal called for relocating the former Biltmore Hotel section of the building to Median 3 along the Avenue of Flags. The Avenue of Flags follows a mandated Art Deco design style, and council members argued that placing a Danish-style building in that corridor would conflict with the area’s visual identity.

Council members also said it would be unfair to businesses that have been required to follow the city’s design guidelines.

Structural concerns were also factored into the decision. Officials questioned whether the aging building could be safely moved, with some council members noting that the level of retrofitting required would effectively result in a new structure rather than preserving the original.

City staff said pursuing relocation would disrupt ongoing planning work for Median 3. Because the city is already working with consultants on the site’s design, uncertainty around the building’s dimensions and structural needs could delay progress.

Based on these factors, the council reached a consensus against using the median as a relocation site.

Efforts to Preserve The Site

Instead, officials expressed support for preserving select historical elements from the property.

Items identified for possible preservation include stained glass windows, interior railings, and a large wooden artwork featuring the restaurant’s mascots, “Hap-pea and Pea-wee.”

Additional ideas included installing a commemorative plaque, developing a themed play area inspired by the mascots, and incorporating salvaged materials into future development projects.

Artifacts from a museum once housed at the site have already been recovered and are currently in storage, with questions remaining about ownership and future display.

Historical Background

The site has a long history in Buellton, dating back to 1924 when Anton and Juliette Andersen opened Andersen’s Electric Café as a roadside stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The business later expanded to include a hotel known as the Bueltmore and became widely known for its split pea soup and roadside appeal along Highway 101.

Next Steps and Timeline

A pending historical resources report will guide the final mitigation strategy and inform the environmental review process.

The city manager estimated the demolition permit process could take three to six months. In the meantime, the Buellton Rotary Club has scheduled a cleanup event at the site on April 18.