The Biltmore
The Biltmore
The Santa Barbara Biltmore (also known as the Biltmore) opened in 1927 as part of the Biltmore chain. Known for its landmark Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and gardens, and operates today as the Four Seasons Resort—The Biltmore Santa Barbara.
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History
It was designed by architect Reginald Johnson and landscape architect Ralph Stevens in 1926-1927. Their design of the main buildings and outdoor garden rooms synthesizes Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival and Moorish Revival styles of architecture. The $1,500,000 construction cost was funded by the Bowman-Biltmore Corporation of New York City, with a 5 March 1927 groundbreaking. The ‘Coral Casino’ and ‘Butterfly Beach’ are adjacent to the Biltmore.
Allied Properties of San Francisco bought the property in 1936. They sold in 1976 to Marriott for $5.25 million and was renamed Marriott’s Santa Barbara Biltmore. Marriott sold to Four Seasons in 1987 for $55 million and it was renamed the Four Seasons Resort Santa Barbara. In 2000 Ty Warner acquired ownership, retaining Four Seasons as the management company. A historically sensitive $240 million restoration and services updating followed. The historic ‘Biltmore’ name was returned soon after, yielding the Four Seasons Resort-The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Since its 1927 opening however, it has continuously been known simply as ‘The Biltmore.’
Fred William Stringer produced ornamentation and murals. Originally an artist in England, he moved to Canada prior to 1920, then was brought to Southern California to do backdrops, sets and theater ornamentation for the fledgling movie industry.