SAN DIEGO — The historic Red Rest and Red Roost Cottages at La Jolla Cove have been in a state of disrepair for many decades now. CBS 8 checked in on the condition of the bungalows at 1179 and 1187 Coast Blvd, and delved into plans for restoration that may be on the horizon.
Built in 1894, the Red Rest and Red Roost are considered the oldest structures in La Jolla Village, but to many passersby, they just look like an eyesore.
“It’s disgusting, really bad,” said Auday Salem, who owns a home next door.
“Not good, not a good condition at all,” said vacationer Alex Barcia.
“It looks terrible. Compared to everything else in the area, it looks bad,” said Joseph Montgomery while sightseeing at the Cove.
Lack of upkeep and deterioration over the years was compounded by damage from a fire in 2020, leaving a blighted mess sitting on prime real estate overlooking La Jolla Cove.
“I just can’t believe that it’s been like this for so long and nothing’s been done about it,” said Salem. “It’s just really sad, I don’t understand what’s going on.”
The unique, California bungalow-style architecture with single-wall construction earned these gems a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It was a victory for preservationists which also presented a major hurdle for any looming redevelopment plans at the time or since then. In 1996, CBS 8’s Jody Hammond reported on the cottages and the stalemate between those fighting to preserve them and hotel redevelopment aspirations by the property’s owner at the time, Larry Jackman.
“Everything we’ve tried to do has been a roadblock, and I don’t think it serves the community to have them in this condition nor does it serve our interest, but we’ve basically been forced to do nothing,” said Jackman in September 1996.
Ownership of the cottages has changed hands between various investment groups in recent years. It’s currently owned by LLJ Ventures, and it appears they have plans in the works.
“Well, I’m happy, it’s a sunny day,” said Carol Olten, Historian for the La Jolla Historical Society. According to her, she had a conversation with someone inside the ownership firm.
“There are good plans afoot again for renewing this site and making it attractive to the community of La Jolla while also preserving an important part of its history,” said Olten.
A permit application was filed with the City of San Diego nearly two years ago to rehabilitate the cottages for some type of commercial use, while also building a new, four-story, eight-unit condominium building on the property with an underground parking garage.
“Maybe a small café, maybe bookstores,” Olten speculated. “Maybe this on the lower levels which would preserve the cottages.”
The exact plans for the site, however, are a bit unclear. The ownership firm LLJ Ventures indicated they’re currently making adjustments to their plans while going back to the drawing board.
In a statement to CBS 8, LLJ Ventures said:
“Our ownership lives here in La Jolla, we have a long-term vision and commitment to this site and our community. We are trying to make very thoughtful plans for the future of this overall site, including the cottages.
In that process, have changed course internally and brought along new team members to help us through this complex effort that involves the cottages and our entire footprint. In fact, we scrapped original plans and are starting with a clean sheet of paper, which will be beneficial in the long run – but has been a setback.
We expect to be able to move forward by this Fall with more details. We implemented bracing and other support, and given the very complicated site and constraints, we are doing what was feasible.”
So it seems the cottages will remain an eyesore for now while the rest of us anxiously wait to see exactly how they plan to restore the historic bungalows. Any plans will eventually be presented to the La Jolla Community Planning Association before any final approval of the project by the City of San Diego.
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