Historic Landmarks Commission grants final approval to Hilton Santa Barbara beachfront expansion

After a full presentation and detailed review on Dec. 3, the Historic Landmarks Commission approved final drawings for the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort expansion at 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard.

Architects and landscape designers walked commissioners through changes since project‑design approval, including a new, larger pool equipment room, refinements to elevations and lobby connections, revised balcony treatments and a planting plan that relocates and adds palms across the pool frontage. The proposal would increase total hotel square footage from about 329,000 to 375,000 and raise room count from 360 to 433.

Commissioners reviewed the project against earlier project‑design comments—pool configuration, hinge element, window and balcony details, palette and cabana/umbrella colors—and asked for modest adjustments to the parapet molding at the hinge element. The applicant proposed to enlarge that molding as part of the permit set; the commission voted to approve final drawings and allowed a limited molding increase without returning for subsequent approval.

Roll‑call voting on the motion resulted in an approval by the commission. Staff and applicants will proceed with final construction submittals to building and coastal permitting agencies.