1. Ace Theatre (1925)

1419 Fifth St.

Launched as an open-air theater, a roof was added in 1938 and later renovations changed the look. 

2. Payne Chapel (1925)

513 Central Ave.

Named after an African Methodist Episcopal bishop, it served the AME congregation for half a century. It’s currently Sarasota Magazine’s offices.

3. Palm Tree Playhouse (1927)

1265 First St.

Now called Gompertz Theatre, this structure is part of the Florida Studio Theatre campus. 

4. Sarasota Times Building (1925)

1216 First St.

A Mediterranean Revival-style building that was the home of the city’s first newspaper and is now Sage Restaurant. 1216 First St.

5. Edwards Theatre (1926)

61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Now the Sarasota Opera House, this Mediterranean Revival-style building was originally a theater envisioned by Mayor A.B. Edwards. 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

6. Frances Carlton Apartments (1924)

1221 N. Palm Ave.

The three-story apartment building in the Mediterranean Revival style is now a condominium.

7. Orange Blossom Hotel (1926)

1330 Main St.

The Neoclassical-style Orange Blossom Hotel began as a bank before the 1920s real estate crash and is now a condo tower. 

8. Mira Mar (1923)

49 S. Palm Ave.

A Mediterranean Revival-style luxury hotel and apartments on Palm Avenue. The apartments were built in 60 days and the hotel (demolished in 1982) took six months. The site will soon be twin condo towers; the facade will be restored. 49 S. Palm Ave.

9. Burns Court (1924-1925)

400 Burns Court

Fifteen Mediterranean Revival bungalows developed by Owen Burns. 

10. First Baptist Church (1924)

1661 Main St.

A Georgian Colonial church featuring a 158-foot steeple. 

11. The Crisp Building (1926)

1970 Main St.

This strong example of Mediterranean Revival commercial architecture still has tenants. 

12. Sarasota County Courthouse (1927)

2000 Main St.

Charles Ringling donated land in his Courthouse Subdivision for the Spanish Mediterranean Revival courthouse. 

13. Sarasota Terrace Hotel (1925)

101 S. Washington Blvd.

The 11-story hotel built by Charles Ringling was bought by a Chicago White Sox owner in the 1960s, with White Sox players in residence during the winter, playing ball at Payne Park. 

14. Madison Court (1920s)

Laurel Park

A charming street in the Laurel Park neighborhood, between Laurel Street and Oak Street, with homes built by Owen Burns.

More Landmark Buildings to Discover

First Presbyterian (1928)

2050 Oak St.

Spanish-style church built on land donated by Calvin Payne. 2050 Oak St.

Crosley Mansion (1929)

8374 N. Tamiami Trail

The Mediterranean-style estate once known as “Seagate” is now owned by Manatee County. 8374 N.Tamiami Trail

Ca’ d’Zan (1926)

5401 Bay Shore Road

Mediterranean Revival-style home built for circus magnate John Ringling and his wife, Mable. 

Caples House (1921)

351 Caples Drive

The Italianate home of Ralph and Ellen Caples was bequeathed to New College in 1962. 

Keating Hall (1926)

Corner of Bradenton Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way

The former Bay Haven Hotel was converted to dorms in 1931 for Ringling College. 

Field Club (1927)

1400 Field Road

The Spanish villa-style winter home of Marshall Field family members. It’s now a members-only social club.

Café on St. Armands (1926)

431 St. Armands Circle

Formerly Café L’Europe, it was originally John Ringling’s real estate office after he purchased St. Armands Key in 1917.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital (1925)

1700 S. Tamiami Trail.

Started as a 32-bed hospital, it remains community owned on its original site.

Overtown and Newtown

Colson Hotel (1926)

1425 Eighth St.

A former hotel for Black travelers, it was named for the Rev. Lewis Colson, who helped to plat the city, and his wife, Irene, a midwife.

Hood Building (1925)

1373-1385 Fifth St.

This Mediterranean Revival commercial building began as a furniture store. 

Wright Bush House (1920)

1723 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Newtown’s oldest standing structure and the first to get electricity. 

Leonard Reid House (1926)

2529 N. Orange Ave.

This vernacular frame house—a style once common in Overtown­—was built for a key aide to John Gillespie.