Renovation restores Ojai history
By Jesse Phelps

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa isn't the only local resort undergoing a makeover. As all the construction fences, signs and equipment on Ojai Avenue will attest, The Oaks at Ojai is getting being prettied-up as well.
Yet while the inn's expansion includes the remodeingl of more than 160 rooms,The Oaks project, said architect David Bury, will proceed in three phases, with a maximum room closure at any one time of seven.
The first phase includes the remodeling of seven rooms, including new, smaller balconies with sound-dampening French doors, and the addition of an arch on the western end, reminiscent of the original entrance arch on the southern face.

The second phase will include the revamping of the rest of the south-facing side and the eastern side of the building, which faces Signal Street. There, a patio dining area will make use of the view onto Ojai's busiest corner.

The third phase could include the addition of a men's spa.
Bury said this schedule will have two main effects. First, limiting closure will help avoid a major impact on bed tax revenues, relied upon by the city to fund a host of programs and activities.

"We're all concerned about that," he said, "but this is not part of that problem because it's such a minor percentage and we'll be back in full operation March 1st."

Also, said Bury, resorts such as The Oaks rely on return business. Guests who expect a certain experience can enjoy what has become familiar, even as construction proceeds on a limited area of the building.

Bury took the Ojai Valley News on a walk-through and explained the many aspects of the enhancement, which also includes the restoration of the original perimeter wall and some cosmetic windows, the rebuilding of the carport in something resembling the Mission Revival style of the rest of the building, and the elimination of a modern post-and-beam addition to the southern façade.

"We've been describing this project as a little bit of urban archaeology," said Bury. "We have documentation of what was originally built. We're trying to understand what the decisions were of the original architects and the original owners and use that in our decision making process for this new renovation."

Bury said that on-site workers have uncovered previously forgotten relics and surprising findings from the building's previous life as the El Roblar Hotel, including the cosmetic windows, which he said are quite atypical, considering the simplicity of most of the original design.
"Our intention was to restore the character," he said. Referring to the windows, he said, "We're going to make that work this time. We're going to install them again and make them part of the architectural detailing. These are the kinds of things that really inspire designers and architects."

He said that the extent of previous modifications was the other major surprise. "You open it up and you could really see the patchwork of framing," he said. "It'll have to be strengthened. And we'll be seismically upgrading."

But Bury said restoring the flavor of that design is priority No. 1. Over the years, he said, additions like the post-and-beam balcony system turned the hotel into "a patchwork. There were holes everywhere, windows had been replaced, windows and architectural elements had been removed," he said. Many elements, he said, were "out of character."

Working with what he calls his "design collective," which also includes contractor Tim Droney and interior designer Maraya Droney, Bury said the project is coming in on schedule.
Phase one should be continue until March and phase two, he said, will be complete in 2004.

He also said that the project has been before the Historical Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Redevelopment Agency and has received near unanimous support.
Bury said the hotel is the last remaning Avenue building that needs restoration to fit the mission revival style. He commended owners Sheila Cluff - who he termed a "spa guru" - and husband Don for undertaking the project.

"The Cluffs have even greater plans to improve the property," he said. "That will be phase three."

Bury has had a hand in the prior restorations, such as the adjacent church (now museum) building, and is excited to be working on the Oaks. "This has been a dream project for me," he said.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

Back to the news