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Commission approves Kabuki Springs & Spa as a legacy business for Japantown
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend Kabuki Springs & Spa (1750 Gary Boulevard) for legacy business designation, highlighting its communal bathing facilities, original furrow tubs and role in the Japantown cultural and economic inventory; staff recommended retention of core features as conditions of listing.
Shelly Caltagirone of the planning department presented the legacy business nomination for Kabuki Springs & Spa (1750 Gary Boulevard) at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Feb. 21 and recommended support for listing with conditions to retain defining features.
Caltagirone described the business as "the largest urban Japanese bathhouse and spa in The United States," noting it opened in 1968 as part of the Japan Cultural and Trade Center and later added spa services while retaining original features such as the nine furrow tubs, communal massage room and traditional sit-down showers. She told commissioners the business is listed in the Japantown cultural heritage and economic sustainability inventory.
There was no public comment. Commissioners praised the nomination and moved to approve the legacy business listing; the motion passed unanimously, 5–0.
The commission’s approval forwards the department recommendation to the appropriate administrative body for final listing and establishes conditions to retain communal bathing and other character-defining features.
