In the wake of current development and the continual rise of real estate prices and rental rates, what does the future hold for the Santa Barbara’s trending Funk Zone neighborhood?
Covering a 16-block waterfront area bordering lower State, Garden, Yanonali, and Mason streets, the Funk Zone was originally designated as a marine industrial and manufacturing hub. However, recent zoning regulations in favor of mixed-use development have opened the door for several other forms of business including restaurants, bars, condominiums, galleries, hotels, event spaces, and [most notably] Santa Barbara’s famed Urban Wine Trail. This influx of business has impacted more change in the area over the past 12 months, than its entire 18 years of existence!
The complete Funk Zone merchant directory.
Where did the Funk Zone get its name?
In the mid-1900s the Funk Zone was the industrial marine manufacturing Mecca for Santa Barbara. According to Santa Barbara’s Independent Magazine, during this era, the word “funky” was used by several planning authorities to describe the menagerie of land uses in the area. According to the Santa Barbara Independent, planning officials proposed the area should encompass art-friendly zoning regulations and embrace an eclectic environment designed to cultivate such ambitions. By the mid 2000s, Santa Barbara city officials decided to adopt a code that required new developments in the Funk Zone to either be tourist serving in nature, mixed-use residential or commercial units, or marine-oriented light manufacturing.
Following 12 years of negotiations with the city, the La Entrada Project was approved in late 2013 to build on three parcels and 2.27-acres of land at the gateway to Stearns Wharf – central to the Funk Zone. Officially known as “Entrada de Santa Barbara,” plans encompass a 114-room luxury hotel, nine fractional vacation units, and 21,557-
sq.-ft. of retail space with open plazas, paseos, and gardens designed in Santa Barbara’s quintessential Spanish Colonial Revival style. The project has received approval from the Santa Barbara Historical Landmarks Commission and is being designed by our own homegrown architectural firm, DesignARC. The development will feature a combination of original, preserved and restored façades as part of the rebuild.
According to the Santa Barbara City Planning Division, “Building permits for the La Entrada Project must be obtained by Nov. 15, 2014 and should be completed by June 30, 2016.” Additional land and commercial buildings that have been sold include the Bekin’s Storage Building for $25 million that has since been leased to Sonos Wireless Hi-Fi.
SOMO
Artist Village – The Funk Zone Artist Village is a community of creators. As part of the SOMO development project, Mesa Lane Partners has teamed up with the Santa Barbara Foundation to create a non profit arts collaborative to support the fertile arts community in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The Artist Village will include affordable studios for artists and workshop spaces for the local arts community.
MOXI | The Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is in process of constructing a world-class museum from the heart of downtown Santa Barbara on lower State St. MOXI will offer awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind experiences that unite learning and play to actively engage young minds. Through hands-on exhibits powered by science, technology, engineering and math, MOXI will equip the next generation of innovators and problem solvers with the creativity and critical thinking skills they need to be successful in the global marketplace. The museum will include 17,000 square feet of interactive educational exhibits, a rooftop Sky Garden, Smart Classroom, and Museum Store.
What Does The Funk Zone Stand For?
Fostering the Arts
- Visual Arts
- Theater & Dance
- Funk Zone as a “World class creative hub”
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Infuse local artwork into the project, streetscape and public spaces.
- Artisan incubator
Bringing The Funk
Preserve the existing creative atmosphere in the neighborhood.- Celebrate the historic character of the neighborhood.
- Embrace the industry and innovation that is characteristic of the Funk Zone.
Respecting the Environment
- Provide opportunities for ocean oriented businesses and activities, and visitor-serving amenities.
- Develop sustainable and efficient parking and transit solutions.
- Encourage pedestrian connections and interactions between the beach and commercial areas.
- Emphasize sustainable, conservation-oriented development practices and programmatic improvements
- Uphold the intent of the California Coastal Act.
Public engagement in programming a community-driven and supported development process.- Create engaging public spaces throughout the project to encourage interaction between neighbors, visitors and residents.
- Enhance sidewalks and streetscape with open-air seating, live music venues, and businesses that are open into the evening.
Developing Opportunity
- Recognize community diversity and designate a housing mix that serves a range of demographics.
- Provide space for new and existing local businesses and artists to thrive
- Enhance the local economy
- Vitalize Santa Barbara’s East end for locals and visitors alike.
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