Airstreams drive AutoCamp expansion plans
- An AutoCamp Airstream trailer at the Santa Barbara company’s site on the Russian River. (Melanie Riccardi photo)
Story updated at 8 a.m. Jan. 23:
AutoCamp’s successful Russian River expansion will fuel future growth, the Santa Barbara company said.
Development company Mesa Lane Partners formed AutoCamp, which provides an affordable stay in a retro-style luxury Airstream trailer. They began with four Airstreams decked out with electric heating, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access, new appliances and barbecue grills at a former R.V. park on De La Vina Street in Santa Barbara in 2013.
AutoCamp brought the travel-trailer concept to the Russian River last year, where it has been quite well received, Mesa Lane Partners CEO Neil Dipaola said. Architecture firm Anacapa designed the 30-foot Airstreams, 10 luxury tents and a mid-century modern clubhouse.
Both the Santa Barbara and Russian River locations continue to sell out weeks in advance, AutoCamp spokeswoman Heather Greene said.
While the company hasn’t mapped out specific destinations, AutoCamp is raising capital as it aims to become a major player in the camping and outdoor hospitality segment in the U.S. and internationally over the next two to four years, Dipaola said.
“We are currently acquiring additional AutoCamp properties in some of California’s most beautiful and iconic outdoor locations.”
The rounded aluminum trailers first hit the road in 1931 but few companies survived the Great Depression. Airstream was one of the companies that emerged, adding some style to the traditional road trip.
“AutoCamp provides an immersive experience of the outdoors alongside the comforts and amenities of a luxury hotel,” said Anacapa Principal Architect Dan Weber.
The Tri-Counties have embraced the burgeoning concept of a luxury trailer. The city of Ventura is looking to add a 36-room Airstream renovation concept, city officials said. The Bowlus Road Chiefs, aerodynamic luxury travel trailers, are developed in Oxnard and sell for around $110,000.
“We’re definitely at a forefront of a trend that has caught on,” Greene said. “We think there is room for growth.”
SB COMPLEX SOLD
The 30,300-square-foot office and industrial complex at 126 E. Haley St. sold for about $8.2 million as Funk Zone activity continues.
Brian Lezak of Woodland Hills investment company Cameron Pacific, in conjunction with 6530 Sepulveda LLC, acquired the mixed-use complex that features industrial/office space with roll up doors on the bottom level and traditional office space on the second story. They plan to reinvigorate the space with extensive exterior and interior renovation.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Affordable housing developer Peoples’ Self-Help Housing recently broke ground on two tri-county projects that will add 87 affordable units.
Grace Lutheran Church donated its church and property at 3869 State St. to the Santa Barbara Housing Authority to develop Grace Village, a 57-unit affordable housing community for low-income seniors. It was co-developed with Front Porch Development Co.
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing also recently moved dirt on a 2-acre site at 1001-1009 Las Tablas Road in Templeton. The 30 units will be available to households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income and rents will be based on 30 percent of tenant income.
The project is expected to be completed in spring 2018.
• Contact Alex Kacik at [email protected].
