Capitola Village’s signature landmark, the colorful Venetian Court is celebrating 100 years in 2024. Constructed in 1924, the plans included a three-tiered, five-structure complex with 46 individually owned bungalows designed in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival/ Mediterranean style, featuring textured stucco siding, decorative relief work, and a flat red tile roof with a parapet and small pyramidal caps. The original plan also included eight small gardens, with a central garden at the front of the complex. Situated along Capitola Lagoon, the development was originally named “Venetian Villa.” 

Today, the Venetian Court boasts 24 townhouses and a 17-unit hotel. Some research suggests that the Venetian Court Motel may be the oldest continuously operating motel of its kind in California. The Venetian cost approximately $150,000 to build (2.7 million in today’s money) and prices for individual units started at $2,000 and the parcels they sat upon ranged from $500 to $750. The Venetian’s proximity to the beach, lagoon and Soquel Creek was a major selling point.   

The Venetian Court’s signature, multi-colored pastel exteriors were not part of the original architectural design. According to local lore, one venetian owner painted her unit pink following a trip to Europe where she admired colorfully painted houses and her neighbors soon followed suit. 

Interestingly, the blue cottage at the end of the Venetian Court hit the real estate market in July 2024 for the first time in 50 years at $5,485,800.