These Threatened Local Buildings Were Just Nominated as Landmarks Worth Saving
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As new developers expand their footprint into Sarasota, there are also dedicated groups aiming to preserve a slice of history. Such is the case with the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, which recently announced its fifth annual "Six to Save" initiative—six historic buildings that the alliance has deemed worthy of saving from demolition.
“Some of these buildings are neglected, and others are under development pressure when the land beneath them is just too valuable and sellers can cash in.” says Sarasota Historic Preservation Alliance program director Erin DiFazio, a restoration designer and realtor specializing in historic homes. She worries that Sarasota's desirable location, alongside high-density building opportunities, may lead to the demolition of cherished sites. On top of that, residents and business owners are dealing with the effects of recent hurricanes that flooded and tore roofs off homes, accelerating some of the moves toward razing and building new, while homeowners weigh the cost of preservation against the profit of selling a home considered a teardown.
Amid all these shifts, the alliance seeks to save local buildings that tell a story. Last week, alliance leaders and community preservationists gathered at the historic South Gate Community Center to learn more about this year "Six to Save." The to initiative, which kicked off in 2020, is a collaboration between the Sarasota Historic Preservation Alliance and the History and Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County to educate and advocate for unprotected historic sites.
“With all the new developments breaking ground here, many outsiders don't know what these [historic] buildings mean. They get scrapped to make way for often bigger projects,” says DiFazio. “The land underneath is just too valuable.”
Indeed, this year, a Victor Lundy building was demolished to make way for new townhomes, and the historic McAlpin home in downtown Sarasota is also likely headed for the same fate.
Unlike historic gems such as architect Paul Rudolph’s iconic Umbrella House on Lido Shores, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Six to Save buildings have no such protections. Most of this year’s Six to Save nominees need repairs and restoration, and some are already slated for demolition, adding even more barriers to preservation.
Modeled after the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 to Save program, the aim of the citizen-powered Six to Save is to draw attention to the treasure trove of local historic properties and motivate citizens and owners to help save them. Here are this year's nominee.
Mira Mar Plaza
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Mira Mar Plaza, in downtown Sarasota, is a unique structure that now has a preservation architect committed to restoring it. While developers have pledged $29 million toward its preservation, the effort hinges on securing a rezoning approval for an 18-story tower.
The project was included in the discussion because it’s not as immediately threatened as it had been, but still requires public support to ensure its survival. Without the zoning change, the building's future is uncertain, potentially jeopardizing its preservation. The developers emphasize that additional tower units are essential to finance the restoration.
The proposed design includes an 18-story tower that gradually steps down, with features like improved airflow and sunlight to enhance the building’s compatibility with the area. The historic structure will remain the prominent front façade, maintaining its architectural significance while allowing for the new development.
Downtown Sarasota's U.S. Postal Service Building
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Downtown Sarasota's post office was built in 1964 by architect Robert Shaw to accommodate Sarasota's growing population, replacing what is now known as the Federal Building at 111 S. Orange Ave. A one-story masonry building with a flat roof, its distinctive features include tall fixed-pane windows and a curved stucco awning. Few Sarasota School of Architecture buildings have touched as many lives as the post office, which is a fixture of downtown Sarasota thanks to its distinctive eyebrow ledges.
When it was built, the 43,000-square-foot building employed a brand-new technology: air conditioning. During the design process, Shaw constructed several buildings on the Ringling School of Art (now Ringling College of Art and Design).
In May, a proposal for a new downtown convention center involved called for redeveloping the south side of Ringling Boulevard between Orange Avenue and Pine Place, focusing on the U.S. Postal Service property while retaining the city-owned Federal Building. Developers Mark Kauffman and Sadek Omar presented the idea to the Downtown Improvement District (DID) board, with city economic development manager Wayne Appleby later suggesting the board lobby the city commission for support. The convention center project hinges on the city acquiring the post office property, since the U.S. Postal Service plans to relocate its main office and vehicle maintenance yard—potentially deeding the vacated property to the city.
Joe Barth Insurance Co. Building
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This simple, one-story, 1,850-square-foot building was commissioned in 1957 by local businessman Joseph E. Barth and designed by renowned Sarasota School architect Victor Lundy. Barth used it as the headquarters for his insurance business.
Although technically part of the Sarasota School movement, Lundy’s work was often seen as more expressive than his colleagues', who typically kept to more boxy forms. This building is an unusual for Lundy, since it has a flat roof and is made of glass and steel. The street façade and the masonry of the building, however, are typical of Lundy’s work. The glass walls facing Osprey Avenue are angled 45 degrees to the street, creating a saw-tooth effect that enlivens the exterior. The side walls are made from concrete masonry units rotated at 90 degrees and laid face-to-face instead of end-to-end, creating a ribbed texture.
This building is under threat due to development pressure. The plot is zoned to be developed up to 10 stories, and the property immediately to the north across an alley, Reese’s Service Station, was sold to a developer in 2023. It is quite possible that a developer would be looking to acquire this building and the two vacant lots to its south to make a larger parcel by bridging over the alley.
Warm Mineral Springs Complex
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The Warm Mineral Springs complex in North Port was created for the second location of Florida’s Quadricentennial program in 1959 to recognize Ponce de Leon and Fernando de Soto. Believed to have been designed by Sarasota School architect Jack West, the buildings included two exhibit halls and a cyclorama.
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The exhibit halls transitioned into spa facilities and offices after the Quadricentennial. Warm Mineral Springs has drawn archeologists and tens of thousands of tourists from around the world seeking information about local history and soaking in the reported healing powers of its waters.
The Jack West buildings are included on the National Register of Historic Places and were included on the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's "11 to Save" since the complex's fate was uncertain while the City of North Port identified a path forward for it.
This fall, in response to an outpouring of community support, the North Port City Council voted to preserve the structures, teaming up with Sweet Sparkman Architects to create a plan to harden the buildings against future storm damage, and restore them to function for the needs of the park. The cyclorama will be mothballed for the time being, and vulnerable artwork will be moved offsite, with plans in the works to conduct a full study to inform the next steps.
The Warm Mineral Springs Motel, meanwhile, designed by Victor Lundy, was also commissioned in preparation for the Quadricentennial and put North Port on the map as a tourist destination. The iconic roofline of the motel, with its precast concrete shells balanced on slender stems, provides shade and shelter from Florida's heavy rains thanks to its deep overhangs. Designed to accommodate longer visits, the motel was also constructed with kitchenettes and sitting areas.
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Palm Coast Florist Building
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Built in 1930, this wood-frame building was constructed with a hip roof; one-over-one wood double-hung windows, and decorative trim. An example of the creative community spirit developing outside Sarasota's city center, this example of adaptive reuse is one of the few remaining historic structures along Swift Road in central Sarasota.
Originally constructed as a residence, the building was later updated with several storefront alterations and a curved brick patio. Still privately owned by the family who ran the Palm Coast Florist shop, the building is in need of repairs due to storm damage. The building is not historically designated and has no protections, making it a strong candidate for a historic preservation easement.
The Hugh Given House
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This modest 750-square-foot residence from 1951 was one of the first houses in Lido Shores, which was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Philip Hiss, who stipulated in his sales agreements that clients must build in the “tropical, modern style.” The neighborhood was described in a 1954 House + Home article as “as fine and diverse exhibit of modern American Architecture as any development in the United States." Today, Lido Shores is celebrated by enthusiasts of the style.
Hiss, an amateur architect, would frequently provide quick sketches for his clients with possible layouts for their homesites—usually L-shaped around a pool. In the case of the Hugh Given House, Hiss suggested a simple 34-foot-by-22-foot wooden rectangle with a flat roof, clerestory windows and full-height glass looking out to Pansy Bayou alongside a matching carport.
In 1984, architect Don Blivas designed and constructed a 1,700-square-foot addition that respects the original property. The addition is made out of the same materials as the Hiss-designed home and maintains the same height, with an open courtyard between the two structures.
This building is under threat due to demolition by neglect. Blivas passed away in 2023 and the people who inherited the property have not maintained it. The City of Sarasota has posted multiple code violation notices that have not been addressed, and flooding damage after Hurricanes Helene and Milton has not been mitigated, either.
The check out last year's nominees, click here.
