Franceschi Park is a 17-acre park in Santa Barbara’s Riviera neighborhood, featuring picnic areas, walking paths, and panoramic views. The Park’s namesake, Dr. Francesco Franceschi, operated a botanical garden and nursery at the location from 1903 to 1913 and introduced hundreds of exotic plant species to Southern California, some of which can still be found at Franceschi Park today.
In 1905, Dr. Franceschi constructed a redwood craftsman-style home on the property, which he named Montarioso, known today as Franceschi House. In 1926, the property was purchased by social reformer and philanthropist Alden Freeman, who made extensive changes to the house and property to transform it into a venue for public and civic events. Freeman converted the original craftsman into the Italianate villa on site today. In 1931, Freeman gifted the property and house to the City for use as a public park to recognize Dr. Franceschi’s horticultural legacy and contributions to Santa Barbara’s development in the early 1900s.
Without a funding source to maintain the sizeable 3-story building, the condition of Franceschi House deteriorated. Since 1971, there have been multiple attempts to restore the house, but challenges posed by the condition of the building and the fairly remote hilltop site made restoration efforts too cost-prohibitive, given the limited public access a completed project would provide. In 2018, the City Council voted unanimously to replace Franceschi House with an open-air structure that would honor the legacy of Dr. Franceschi and Mr. Freeman, incorporate elements of Franceschi House, and provide access to the public. The decision was supported by the Pearl Chase Society, which had previously advocated and attempted to fundraise for the building’s restoration and preservation.
