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Music Academy of the West proposes downtown performance and education center; HLC backs concept but asks for design refinements

Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission · December 4, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Music Academy proposed converting 901 State St. into a 25,000 sq ft music education and performance center with a rooftop event deck and a proposed height exception for elevator/roof elements. The HLC praised the program and massing but asked for refined designs for the rear elevator/stair tower, comparative height studies and further concept review before Planning Commission considers the height exception.

Representatives of the Music Academy of the West presented a concept Dec. 3 to convert 901 State Street into a 25,000‑square‑foot music and education center, featuring a 90‑person acoustically tuned interior performance 'jewel', teaching studios, recording spaces and a rooftop event deck. The project includes service‑area changes, a new service elevator and a stair tower at the rear and would add roughly 2,900 square feet of…

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