Santa Barbara underwent an architectural rebirth after the destructive 1925 earthquake. The town was rebuilt in the Spanish colonial Mediterranean architecture that distinguishes its downtown landscape to this day.
One of the models for its rebirth was El Paseo, a complex of shops, restaurants, offices and apartments built in the early 1920s, prior to the quake.
Occupying most of the first block on the north side of East De la Guerra Street between State and Anacapa streets, it was constructed around the historic Casa de la Guerra, at 15 E. De la Guerra St., and incorporated the adobe into the complex.
El Paseo had come through the earthquake with only minor damage but, from the 1920s to 1970, it had had a series of owners, none of whom had done any major renovation since its opening.