The history of a landmark property for sale in Los Alamos for $5.5 million ranges from its days as a stagecoach stop in California’s Wild West to today’s pop culture venue as a venue where musicians Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Jon Bon Jovi shot videos, according to Sotheby’s International Realty.
Built in 1880, the Union Hotel is now used as a wedding venue, offering guests eight hotel rooms, a commercial kitchen, a ballroom, a parlor, a game room and other entertainment spaces. However, in the past, the property has served as a private residence, a restaurant and bar, as well as a hotel.
All of the beautiful and authentic Wild West-style accommodations have been updated with modern luxuries, including the stunning historic saloon and ballroom.
The town of Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County was founded in 1876 as a stagecoach line. Four years later, the 1880 Union was built as a stagecoach station with a store and lodging. After the building burned down in 1893, it was rebuilt in 1915 as a hotel and tavern.
In 1972, a carpenter restored the property to its original condition. According to Sotheby’s International Realty, he carefully recreated a replica of the 1880 façade.
In 2016, the property underwent another extensive renovation, bringing it up to its current luxury standards while remaining true to its historic style.
“The majority of the renovations were the unglamorous things like electrical, plumbing, HVAC and a whole host of cosmetic improvements,” agent Micah Brady of the Brady Group of Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Ynez Valley Brokerage told realtor.com. “They spent several million dollars on many of these things.”
The owners were able to let their creativity run wild when designing the interior, but the exterior retained its Wild West character.
“Because it is a heritage building, improvements could be made inside, but the outside was off-limits,” Brady said.
A new buyer may want to explore Santa Barbara County’s vibrant wine and dining scene.
Actors Kurt Russell and his daughter Kate Hudson recently hosted a wine tasting at the saloon.
