The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on Dec. 17 sent a proposal to convert an existing downtown office building at 16–20 West Canon Perdido into a nine‑unit hotel back to the applicant for additional design work.

The project team from Anacapa Architecture, represented by Jessie Finnicom Schwartz, presented plans showing storefront revisions, an open‑air paseo adjacent to a city planter, replacement of storefronts and new lighting. Schwartz said the scheme reuses the existing structure and “creates an open air walkway” and noted the team is proposing “Santa Barbara sandstone accents” and new lighting to distinguish the hotel from the adjacent parking structure.

Commissioners praised the general massing and pedestrian flow but pressed for changes to make the building read more like El Pueblo Viejo (EPV) context. Commissioner Jordan said, “I hope that as you develop the details, the doors are less modern looking and more appropriate for the EPV,” and multiple members asked the team to study wrought iron grilles, divided‑light windows with historically appropriate muntins, tile or other tactile base material, and a stronger lighting and landscaping plan to screen private hotel walkways from public areas.

The commission also sought clearer security strategies for the paseos — including decorative partial‑height screens or gated entries — and asked staff and the applicant to coordinate any changes to city‑owned planters adjacent to the project. After discussion, the commission moved and voted to continue the item indefinitely so the applicants can return with more detailed elevations, material samples, landscape plans, and security/lighting details. The motion carried on a roll call vote.