Events

 Ventura, Calif., May 26, 2023  

The San Buenaventura Conservancy is excited to host a sneak peek tour of Ventura’s newest adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of a historic property on June 11 from 1-4 pm. The historic former Elks Lodge at the corner of East Main Street and South Ash Street, at 11 South Ash Street, will soon open as a boutique hotel, the Hotel San Buena. Sneak Peek Tour Tickets are $30, and available for purchase at SBconservancy.org

Board president Stephen Schafer shares, “To date there hasn’t been as grand a rehabilitation of a landmark in Ventura since the former Ventura County Courthouse was adaptively reused as Ventura City Hall and saved from demolition in 1974.” 

Adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the grand 1928 Lodge into Ventura’s newest boutique hotel is nearly complete. The former Elks Lodge - Ventura historic landmark 99 - has been sensitively rehabilitated by Historic Lodge Development, LP.  Adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic buildings supports the economic development of the Downtown and underpins cultural tourism in historic downtown Ventura.

Landmark 99 – the former BPOE Ventura Lodge No. 1430 

Built in 1928 in the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, the lodge was the home of the Elks Ventura Lodge No. 1430 Fraternal Organization from 1928 to 2004. The structure was designated as Ventura Historic landmark #99 on May 5, 2008. 

In the early 1920’s, Ventura experienced a tremendous era of prosperity with the expansion of the Avenue oil fields. At that time several service organizations, including the Elks Ventura Lodge No. 1430 were established in the community. They served as a social network of community connectivity and supported the work of local charities.

Original building plans indicate the building’s character-defining features have not been significantly altered over time, and much of the original interior remains intact.

Hotel San Buena

The Hotel San Buena will be Ventura’s newest boutique hotel. The grand entrance lobby will include a bar with outdoor courtyard, 32 guest suites, 2 private units and the rehabilitated grand lodge room upstairs, which will now be called the "Velvet Hall" event space.

San Buenaventura Conservancy for Preservation

The Conservancy works to increase public awareness of irreplaceable historic places and cultural sites, to disseminate information useful in the preservation of structures and neighborhoods, to prevent needless demolition, to champion adaptive reuse and promote the preservation and enhancement of historic and cultural resources in Ventura and surrounding areas.

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