What is to become of the long abandoned and deteriorating turn-of-the-century Red Roost and Red Rest historic cottages overlooking La Jolla Cove?
That is a question that has been asked for decades about the cottages. Built in 1894, the dwellings are rare surviving examples of late 19th-century beach architecture that proliferated in the Jewel during its early history.
There have been on-again, and off-again proposals over the years to restore and re-invigorate them. However, none of those proposals ultimately panned out. Now a new redevelopment proposal has surfaced.
In March, La Jolla architect Paul Benton applied, on behalf of La Jolla Cove Motel & Hotel Apartments, for a Coastal Development Permit for 1179 and 1188 Coast Blvd., the site of the Red Roost and Red Rest.
“Historic restoration and reconstruction of two existing cottages for commercial use, a new four-story condominium structure with eight units,” reads the project’s description in the application made to the City’s Development Services Department.
Adds the preliminary review application for restoration of the two historic cottages: “Rehabilitation of two existing historic cottages to usable condition with modifications to provide for modern commercial uses. Reconstruction of missing historic features, relocation of structures on site to accommodate the construction of a new residential condominium building and podium with underground parking.”
The project site is a designated historic resource and is listed on the National Register. As a designated historic resource, all work requires a building permit and must be reviewed by City staff for conformance with the City’s Historic Resource Regulations.
“We have a concept we’re working on that was submitted to the City,” said architect Benton, adding he and the hotel applicants “have had lively discussions on all kinds of alternatives for the site, which will turn it into something that will serve the community, and be consistent with the hotel’s responsibility to preserve the historic significance of the buildings and the location they’re on. They (cottages) are part of the hotel’s operation, and there is no intention of removing them.”
San Diego’s Save Our Heritage Organisation, the oldest continually operating historic preservation organization in California, has been involved for decades in trying to protect the Red Roost and Red Rest cottages.
“The two historic cottages are designated historic landmarks by the City of San Diego and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and are rare surviving examples of late nineteenth-century beach cottages that once proliferated in La Jolla,” said Bruce Coons, SOHO’s executive director. “These ‘modest but festive’ single-wall structures share a spectacular site at La Jolla Cove. Their design was a precursor to the California Bungalow popularized after the turn of the 20th century. With their wide verandas and simple construction, the cottages enjoy a spectacular site at the cove. The Red Rest and Red Roost cottages tell the story of the history and origin of La Jolla, like nothing else.”
Coons added it is SOHO’s interpretation of the regulations governing historic dwellings, that the two La Jolla beach cottages should be maintained “in move-in condition.” He speculated that, during all these years that the cottages have been allowed to lie fallow and deteriorate, they have “lost tens of millions of dollars” in potential revenue from the redevelopment of the site, which is in a prime location enjoying unparalleled views of the ocean and La Jolla Cove.
