New Warehouse and R&D Building Proposed Near Funk Zone Moves Forward

Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review approves 32,800-sq ft project with CLT construction and stormwater management features.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The City of Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review has voted to move forward with a proposal to construct a new 32,877-square-foot warehouse and research and development (R&D) building near the Funk Zone and East Beach. The project includes the demolition of a 79-space surface parking lot and the construction of a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) building with plaster as the dominant exterior material.

Why it matters

This project represents the continued development and evolution of the Funk Zone area, which has seen an influx of new businesses and residential projects in recent years. The incorporation of sustainable building materials and stormwater management features also aligns with the city's goals for more environmentally-conscious development.

The details

The first floor of the building will house a 20,460-square-foot warehouse with a mezzanine, while the second floor will include 7,011 square feet of R&D and office space. The building will sit on a concrete plinth, or raised base, to address local flooding concerns, and will feature perimeter raised planters, permeable pavers and concrete, a roof deck, solar photovoltaic canopies, and a new entry canopy.

  • The Architectural Board of Review voted to move the project forward on March 2, 2026.
  • The project will now move to the Planning Commission for further review.

The players

City of Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review

The local government body responsible for reviewing and approving architectural designs and development proposals in Santa Barbara.

Trey Anderson

A member of the Architectural Board of Review who was the sole dissenting vote on the project, expressing concerns about the building's height and lack of human-centric design.

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What they’re saying

“The plaster-heavy design did not align with the 'industrial feeling' of the neighborhood, and using such a large amount of plaster would make the facade look 'too busy'.”

— Trey Anderson, Architectural Board of Review Member (Edhat)

What’s next

The project will now move to the Santa Barbara Planning Commission for further review and approval.

The takeaway

This new warehouse and R&D building proposal represents the continued evolution and development of the Funk Zone area, with a focus on sustainable building materials, stormwater management, and addressing local flooding concerns. While the project was generally approved by the Architectural Board of Review, there were some dissenting views on the building's height and design, highlighting the ongoing debate around balancing growth and development with preserving the character of the neighborhood.