A massive building has slowly been taking shape off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo in recent months — and it’s just one of a number of ongoing developments at the prominent San Luis Ranch property.
In February, Huntington Hotel Group began construction on a new 200-room, four-story hotel located at 701 Froom Ranch Way.
The hotel is slated to be a dual brand Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites, according to a company news release.
“With our extensive experience in the hospitality industry, we are confident that this new hotel will provide a top-notch guest experience, blending comfort and convenience with the highest level of service,”Huntington Hotel Group said in the release. “We can’t wait to welcome guests to our newest addition to the Huntington Hotel Group family.”
The hotel is slated to be ready for guests by early 2025, according to the release.
Though it is very visible, the hotel is just one part of the massive San Luis Ranch mixed-use project that has slowly been taking shape across 131 acres in San Luis Obispo.
The development is slated to include 577 residential units — ranging from studios all the way up to six-bedroom homes — 150,000 square feet of commercial space, 100,000 square feet of office space and 60 acres of agricultural and open space.
A massive hotel building has slowly been taking shape off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo in recent months — and it’s just one of a number of ongoing developments at the prominent San Luis Ranch property. Kaytlyn Leslie kleslie@thetribunenews.com
NEW BUSINESSES COMING TO SLO RANCH FARM AND MARKETPLACE
Next to the hotel project, work is continuing on the SLO Ranch Farm and Marketplace, which will feature new locations for a number of local businesses.
Jacob Grossman, operations manager for SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace, said the marketplace will have between 15 and 20 different vendors, including Paso Robles Brewing Co.
The SLO Ranch spot will be the brewery’s second San Luis Obispo County location. Other businesses coming in include a new location for The Mayan Collective, a South County candle bar; Tails pet boutique in downtown San Luis Obispo; Higuera Street’s 201 Kitchen; Los Osos’ Vintage Cheese Co. and San Luis Obispo Farmers Market staples Shekamoo Grill and Baby Bear Biscuits, Grossman said.
Construction is proceeding at the SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace at the San Luis Ranch housing development in San Luis Obispo. It will feature an ice cream shop, a brewery, a coffeehouse and other tenants and is set for a 2024 opening. CCB Marketing Team
“So we’re really hoping that this is going to be a gathering place for the community,” Grossman said. “Not just San Luis Ranch, but San Luis Obispo.”
Grossman added that San Luis Ranch is also expected to feature a community garden and working farm with U-pick produce, pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
“Think of family-friendly entertainment, but also educational stuff where the community and kids can learn about local farming practices and what it’s like to work on a farm and see the process,” he said.
Grossman said the SLO Ranch Farm and Marketplace is expected to open in spring 2024.
A massive hotel building has slowly been taking shape off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo in recent months — and it’s just one of a number of ongoing developments at the prominent San Luis Ranch property. Kaytlyn Leslie kleslie@thetribunenews.com
WHAT’S UP NEXT AT SAN LUIS RANCH?
Work is also continuing on building up the housing neighborhoods throughout the San Luis Ranch project.
Grossman said the multi-family neighborhood along Madonna Road is currently under construction, and development on the second-to-last phase of single-family homes is underway.
Meanwhile, two parcels remain undeveloped.
One is slated to become a medical office complex, Grossman said, but there have been some delays as developers work with the city and a neighboring landowner to fix issues with traffic and access.
The other undeveloped lot is the largest piece left of the subdivision across from the hotel project.
Grossman said that was originally expected to feature some big-box commercial stores, but “we all feel that is not the best fit anymore.”
“So we’re working with the city and the local community to see if we can reconfigure that into a more useful and productive design,” he said, noting that it would likely instead feature some smaller retail businesses as well as more housing.
San Luis Ranch development is well underway in this view overlooking Madonna Road from June 26, 2023, on what was previously farmland owned by Ernie Dalidio. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com