A once dilapidated building brings travelers to Santa Barbara.
- By Shawn Williams
- Jun 4, 2024
- 1 min read
ANACAPA Architecture took home the 7th annual GRAY Awards trophy for their historic building restoration of what is now the Drift Hotel in Santa Barbara.
Photographed by Erin Feinblatt
A dilapidated building in Santa Barbara is reimagined as a hotel, coffee shop, and cocktail bar. Preserving the building’s history, the Drift Hotel connects locals and travelers to its surrounding community of Spanish architectural influences. ANACAPA Architecture, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Santa Barbara, contrasts the traditional exterior of the hotel — its white stucco walls, arched windows, and terracotta tiles — with its modern interiors which are centered around a black color palette with accents of concrete and white-oak elements. The hotel is outfitted with goods from Californian and Mexican makers, paying homage to the brand’s Baja roots while celebrating its coastal Californian locale.
