Just after the city of San Diego planned to suspend an application for the redevelopment of the historic Red Rest and Red Roost cottages at 1179 and 1187 Coast Blvd. in La Jolla, the applicant has responded with intent to reapply.

“We are submitting our letter of intent to resubmit the above referenced project,” a March 11 letter to the city from Boretto + Merrill Consulting states, noting the firm intends to resubmit by Aug 1.

The previous application, filed in 2022, was scheduled to be closed and submitted materials returned or destroyed by March 27, according to city spokesperson Perette Godwin, due to applicant failure to “submit or resubmit requested materials, information, fees or deposits within 90 calendar days.”

The 2022 application proposes construction of a new four-story, eight-unit condominium building with an underground parking garage and rehabilitation of the cottages for commercial use.

A view looking south across La Jolla Cove at the Red Rest and Red Roost cottages, c 1905. Photo via San Diego History Center.

The cottages were built as residences in 1894, part of a series of beach cottages across The Village. They are the oldest surviving structures in La Jolla, and were designated historic in 1975 amid a failed effort by then-owner Jack Heimburge to demolish them.

Red Rest and Red Roost sat unoccupied for nearly 30 years afterwards, experiencing a “sad fate of severe and illegal neglect,” according to the San Diego Save Our Heritage Organisation. 

The cottages were sold in 2014 and again in 2018.

Red Rest sustained severe destruction during a 2020 fire, during which Red Roost was also damaged. 

The 2022 redevelopment permits listed La Jollan Paul Benton and his firm, now called Benton & Benton Architects, as the architect on record; the March 11 letter of intent to refile states “we have transitioned our project team and have a new architect and new consultants.”

Neither Benton & Benton nor Boretto + Merrill returned requests for comment.