This story has been updated with a statement from Ty Warner.
The Four Seasons Biltmore Resort announced it is carrying out an “extensive renovation and upgrade” of the luxury Montecito hotel, putting an end to months of questions and speculation over its ongoing closure amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Biltmore had closed its doors in March as the state went into lockdown, but unlike nearly every other hotel in the region, has remained closed with no explanation, even to its hundreds of employees . That lack of communication and uncomfortable state of limbo prompted a large protest by staff in early August against the Four Seasons corporate office and local owner Ty Warner. They demanded to know if the hotel was going to reopen sometime soon and end their seemingly indefinite furlough, or, if rumors of a sale were true, they were going to be laid off and could expect full severance packages.