Music Academy of the West Downtown Hub
Category: Arts & Culture
Address
901 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Details
Development Status: Under Construction
Estimated Completion: TBD
Developer: Music Academy of the West
Architect: Brooks + Scarpa and DMHA
Photo Credit: Music Academy of the West
The Music Academy of the West is transforming the former Forever 21 site into a premier music instruction, rehearsal, and performance hub right in the heart of downtown. This "Community Benefit" project will feature an acoustically engineered performance space large enough for a 90-piece orchestra, nine teaching studios, a recording studio, and a 3,000-square-foot rooftop lounge. Recently updated to better reflect Santa Barbara’s historic "Paseo Viejo" aesthetic, the design has received strong support from the Historic Landmarks Commission as a transformative addition to State Street. Interior demolition is tentatively scheduled to begin in July 2026.
Nearby Arts & Culture
- Music Academy of the West Education Center901 State St (adjacent)
- Danielle Renee Art11 W Canon Perdido St (198 feet SW)
- SBIFF Film Center916 State St (277 feet N)
- Fiesta Five916 State St (368 feet N)
Nearby Shop
- MM Moreno & Son Inc.903 State St (85 feet NW)
- Marshalls900 State St (101 feet NE)
- Salt Boutique1 W Canon Perdido St (101 feet NE)
- Italian Pottery Outlet929 State St (130 feet N)
Nearby Parking
- Paseo Nuevo Garage #2651 Paseo Nuevo (516 feet S)
- Chapala Garage Lot #2914 Chapala St (525 feet W)
- Lobero Garage Lot #9921 Anacapa St (731 feet N)
- Bus Depot Lot #39 W Figueroa St (947 feet NW)
Nearby Dine
- The Blue Owl5 W Canon Perdido St (83 feet E)
- Cali-Forno Pizzeria905 State St (91 feet NW)
- Silver Wines31 El Paseo (299 feet E)
- ROLLD Ice Cream819 State St (311 feet SE)