The architectural character of the hotel is inspired by the regional vernacular, specifically farmhouses and local agricultural buildings found in the surrounding wine country. As seen in the renderings, the building is finished in a combination of lime-washed brick, stucco, and grain-wood siding. The adjacent Gravenstein Court parking lot is converted into a large grove of trees extending the rural character beyond the footprint of the structures.

The building’s highest massing is a fourth story rooftop bar which constitutes only 4% percent of the overall footprint, located in the least visible part of the site. The rest of the building is a combination of 2 and 3 stories. This varied massing is a conscious design approach generating a picturesque, and human-scale massing as opposed to a single monolithic and over-scaled building. The result is an aggregate compound of buildings. The roofs are a combination of flat and sloping roofs of varying slopes and materials further breaking down the building scale.

The 83 hotel rooms are configured around single-loaded and double-loaded arms overlooking the courtyards. The public functions of the hotel, such as the restaurant, meeting rooms, bar, and kitchen are situated closer to McKinley, around the entrance courtyard. The restaurant wraps around to line the street along with more retail to enliven the pedestrian experience. The hotel also has a spa located along and entered from Sebastopol Ave. The proposed building has a gross area of 70,000 SF.

The building is organized around a sequence of five beautifully landscaped courtyards, each with a distinct image and character, together creating a visual and experiential sequence between open-to-sky and covered spaces. The building is entered in two locations - along McKinley via a covered paseo, and along Gravenstein Court from the drop-off area. Both entries lead one into the first large courtyard from where one enters the lobby, bar, and restaurant.

The proposed project will add 232 new parking spaces at the former Batch Plant site, which is currently vacant and undeveloped. This addition will significantly improve parking availability for both hotel guests and local residents. In addition to vehicle parking, 32 new bicycle parking spaces will be provided to encourage alternative transportation. 18 electric vehicle (EV) chargers will also be installed, promoting eco-friendly travel options. The project will feature extensive landscaping with native plants, enhancing the site’s environmental quality. These improvements will increase accessibility to The Barlow and downtown Sebastopol, ease parking constraints, and contribute to a more connected community.