Humming a new tune

Photos by JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers EQUINE PARADISE—A view of the gateway to the main horse stables at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a 125-acre world-class equestrian facility located in the northeast corner of Simi Valley. Billionaire owner David Saperstein wants to turn the property into Simi's first five-star resort, but needs City Council approval to rezone the property from residential to commercial.

Simi Valley may be home to a fivestar resort if the City Council decides to support a plan to convert Hummingbird Nest Ranch into a luxurious spa getaway.

 

Owned by Texasbased billionaire David Saperstein, the 125-acre world-class equestrian facility has been on the market for more than a year for $75 million, making it one of the priciest pieces of real estate in California.

With no offers coming in, the magnate has decided to change the use of the property from ranch to resort.

Dean Kunicki, head consultant on the project, will present the proposal to the City Council on Feb. 9. The public hearing will include a time for residents to voice their opinions and for council members to provide feedback to the applicant.

LOTS TO SEE—Simi resident Dean Kunicki, head consultant on the proposal to convert Hummingbird Nest Ranch into a fivestar resort and spa, gives a tour of the private estate Tuesday.

The project would require a zone change from residential to a commercialtype of land use designation that would be specific to the resort project.

 

Peter Lyons, director of environmental services for the city, said a master plan is appropriate for the site because of its size, location and proposed uses. Plans for the resort include health club, tennis and equestrian facilities.

"The applicants are hiring the best architects out there," Lyons said. "They have an interest in creating a resort that is very, very nicely done."

In fact, Kunicki has big ideas for the historic ranch, which he helped remodel and rebuild seven years ago for Saperstein and his ex-wife, Suzanne.

The longtime Simi resident and former planning commissioner said he designed the ranch's main house to meet commercial standards, knowing that down the road its use might change.

"Right now we're in the dream phases, which is the fun part," Kunicki said.

At the moment, his vision includes nearly 150 "casitas," each with a private courtyard, placed throughout the ranch. He imagines transforming the state-of-the-art, 25,000-square-foot barn into a conference center and converting the palatial main house into a restaurant, with outdoor dining on patios that overlook a grassy arena.

Kunicki believes the ranch's unique ambience and proximity to Los Angeles will attract visitors to the tucked-away estate.

"Sometimes people just want to be pampered . . . and we think we are going to be able to create the experience those people want," he said.

Historic charm, modern appeal

Nestled in the Santa Susana foothills on the eastern end of Simi, Hummingbird Nest is a mix of old world, Spanish colonial style and modern amenities. The ranch dates back to the late 1800s.

David and Suzanne Saperstein, who divorced last year, purchased the property in 1999 from Redken Laboratories founder Paula Meehan and completed renovations in 2004. Since then, the private estate has hosted weddings, corporate events, equestrian competitions and film crews. The NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser" was filmed on the property.

The center of the ranch is a 14,600-square-foot mansion. Also on site are three barns, three horse arenas, a man-made lake, a solar field and a helipad.

Economic gamble

While it may seem like the wrong time to build a luxury resort, Kunicki said he's hoping the economy will have turned around by the time the project would be finished—in three years or so.

"Who knows where the economy is going to go, but frankly, where it's at, it can't get much worse," he said.

The fact that most development has stalled and contractors are hungry for work should help keep construction costs low, he added.

Kunicki said he would try to spend as much money locally as possible to help boost area business and tax revenues. And he hopes that once the resort is open to the public, spagoers will patronize local shops, golf courses and restaurants.

Assistant City Manager Brian Gabler, who is in charge of economic development, said that if the region can support it, the spa could be a valuable asset to the city in terms of hotel and sales tax revenues.

But he expressed caution.

"I think it's too early to tout its benefits and its negatives until we know more about the project," he said.

Campaign donations returned

During the past election season, the Saperstein family donated $4,000 to each City Council incumbent running for reelection. Kunicki, who sits on the Ventura County Board of Education, made donations of $500 each.

When Mayor Paul Miller and Councilmember Steve Sojka learned that the resort proposal would be coming before the council, both decided to return the money to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

"Once I found out they were coming before us in a prescreening, I thought that, even though it is totally legal (for them to donate), the perception is not that good," Sojka said.

However, he said the Sapersteins and Kunicki have made contributions to his campaigns in the past.

"It's not like they supported me because they had a project coming before me," Sojka said.

Kunicki agreed and thinks it is unfair that some have implied that he or the Sapersteins did anything wrong by donating.

"We hadn't totally conceptualized that we were going to do the spa thing yet and when election time came around I did what I always do—donate," he said. "We played by the city's guidelines and rules and donated that amount of money."

For that very reason, Councilwoman Barbra Williamson has no plans to return the money.

"I've had developers give me money in the past and I've voted on their project," she said. "To think that $1,000 or more from anybody would sway me to vote in their favor is just wrong and I refuse to let people think otherwise."

Sojka said he is looking forward to the prescreening to learn more about the proposed project.

"On the surface, from what I hear, it sounds like it has potential to be something really special," he said.