Moderns That Matter
100 places that give Sarasota its character and distinct sense of place organized chronologically across 10 use categories.
Public Spaces
3 John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District - 1926 – 1929
3 John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District - 1926 – 1929. Click to expand.
“Downtown Venice, Venice Avenue, and the pavilion at the public beaches are charming, and exemplifies the history of the area.” Nomination by Leslie Townsend
89 Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park - 2017
89 Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park - 2017. Click to expand.
A Historical Marker states: “In honor of the renaming of Pineapple Park as the “Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park,” in recognition for his commitment, hard work and leadership role in vitalizing, beautifying, promoting and protecting downtown Sarasota.” Paul N. Thorpe Jr. began a business career in the downtown at a time when retailers were moving to the suburbs. In 1974, Paul helped develop a plan to make downtown more attractive to lure merchants back. This meeting resulted in the creation of the Downtown Association (DTA).
90 Art Ovation Hotel - 2018
90 Art Ovation Hotel - 2018. Click to expand.
“Ever since circus magnate John Ringling established the Sarasota art museum that bears his name in 1930, Sarasota has been a destination for artists and arts lovers alike.” Cooper Levey-Baker, www.sarasotamagazine.com, November 6, 2023
90 Palm Avenue Parking Garage - 2010
90 Palm Avenue Parking Garage - 2010. Click to expand.
Characterized by multi-story, sail-like forms on the elevation, the award- winning parking garage is located adjacent to the Art Ovation Hotel.
3 John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District - 1926 – 1929
“Downtown Venice, Venice Avenue, and the pavilion at the public beaches are charming, and exemplifies the history of the area.” Nomination by Leslie Townsend
Urban Planner: John Nolen
The John Nolen Plan for the City of Venice was based on curvilinear, broad streets with landscaped medians, public parks, recreation areas, and different zones for residential, commercial, and governmental use. Approximately 20% of the streets were constructed prior to the Great Depression (1925 to 1929). The remaining 80% were completed between 1945-1959. With minor alterations, the streets, lot arrangements, and zoning defined by Nolen are still intact.
Image Courtesy: Cornell University Library
89 Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park - 2017
A Historical Marker states: “In honor of the renaming of Pineapple Park as the “Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park,” in recognition for his commitment, hard work and leadership role in vitalizing, beautifying, promoting and protecting downtown Sarasota.” Paul N. Thorpe Jr. began a business career in the downtown at a time when retailers were moving to the suburbs. In 1974, Paul helped develop a plan to make downtown more attractive to lure merchants back. This meeting resulted in the creation of the Downtown Association (DTA).
135 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: www.sarasotafl.gov
90 Art Ovation Hotel - 2018
“Ever since circus magnate John Ringling established the Sarasota art museum that bears his name in 1930, Sarasota has been a destination for artists and arts lovers alike.” Cooper Levey-Baker, www.sarasotamagazine.com, November 6, 2023
2018
Architect: Jonathan Parks, SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota
The Art Ovation Hotel hosts an artist in residence, gallery shows, and musical performances.
Image Courtesy: SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
90 Palm Avenue Parking Garage - 2010
Characterized by multi-story, sail-like forms on the elevation, the award- winning parking garage is located adjacent to the Art Ovation Hotel.
Architect: Jonathan Parks, SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
1289 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
Main Street, Sarasota
“From farmers markets to art festivals to nights on the town, Main Street truly is the heart of our community here in sunny Sarasota.” www.sarasotafl.gov One of the most popular destinations in the city, Main Street runs through the heart of Sarasota’s downtown. The variety of buildings that flank Mains Street reflect almost every decade in Sarasota’s history.
92 Sarasota County Courthouse - 1927
92 Sarasota County Courthouse - 1927. Click to expand.
Architect: Dwight James Baum
92 S.H. Kress and Co. Building - 1932
92 S.H. Kress and Co. Building - 1932. Click to expand.
Samuel Henry Kress, the owner of the nationwide chain of five-and-ten cent stores, personally approved each store design created by S.H. Kress & Company’s in-house architectural division. Sarasota’s S.H. Kress building, with its terra cotta façade, simple yet distinctive ornament, copper marque, and curved glass display windows contributes to the collection of some fifty Art Deco stores built by Kress across the nation.
92 Lawyers Professional Building - 1961
92 Lawyers Professional Building - 1961 . Click to expand.
“The Lawyer’s Professional Building is an important example of Sarasota School Architecture. Frank Folsom Smith’s first project after leaving William Zimmerman’s office, the building’s open courtyard and ribbon windows captures the tropical midcentury feeling that many people associate with Sarasota.” Nomination by Erin DiFazio
92 Michael Saunders & Company and Wells Fargo Advisors - 1969
92 Michael Saunders & Company and Wells Fargo Advisors - 1969. Click to expand.
Constructed in 1969 for the Sarasota Bank & Trust offices, the building is an example of the Formalism or New Formalism style characterized by a blending of classical or traditional materials and architectural features with modernist design concepts. 1605 Main Street, for example, incorporates marble and colonnades.
92 Truist Office Building - 1975
92 Truist Office Building - 1975. Click to expand.
“…the downtown Truist Bank building (it’s been many other things), despite its less than appealing signage, is woefully overlooked. It’s like a brutalist building decided, on its ascent, that it rather liked prairie style and leaned into that idea for the last few floors. There’s nothing else that quite does that particular dance in our town.” Adapted from nomination by Matt Tilka
92 Compass Building - 1980
92 Compass Building - 1980. Click to expand.
“At the corner of Main and Orange, this building is the anchor of the downtown business district. It is often admired and photo- graphed by visitors as a wonderful example of the Sarasota School of Architecture style”. Nomination by Virginia Harshman
92 Sarasota Memorial Hospital - 2006
92 Sarasota Memorial Hospital - 2006. Click to expand.
Formerly the Herald Tribune Media Group Headquarters, the building’s most prominent feature is its undulating roof. Supported by six-story-tall white columns, the roof shelters the entry and upper-level deck used by employees. The green and blue glass curtain wall permits daylight to penetrate, while controlling heat gain on the interiors. Adapted from Morris Hylton III, Tour Sarasota Architecture, 2009
92 Sarasota County Courthouse - 1927
Architect: Dwight James Baum
2000 Main Street, Sarasota
Featuring terra cotta and wrought iron architectural ornament, the building was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style by Dwight James Baum. A one-story colonnade connects the east and west wings. A tower originally provided an observation platform to view Sarasota Bay. Gregory Hall, Tour Sarasota Architecture, 2009
Image Courtesy: Sarasota County History Center
92 S.H. Kress and Co. Building - 1932
Samuel Henry Kress, the owner of the nationwide chain of five-and-ten cent stores, personally approved each store design created by S.H. Kress & Company’s in-house architectural division. Sarasota’s S.H. Kress building, with its terra cotta façade, simple yet distinctive ornament, copper marque, and curved glass display windows contributes to the collection of some fifty Art Deco stores built by Kress across the nation.
Builder: G. A. Miller, Inc.
1442 Main Street, Sarasota
Photo: Karen Arango
92 Lawyers Professional Building - 1961
“The Lawyer’s Professional Building is an important example of Sarasota School Architecture. Frank Folsom Smith’s first project after leaving William Zimmerman’s office, the building’s open courtyard and ribbon windows captures the tropical midcentury feeling that many people associate with Sarasota.” Nomination by Erin DiFazio
Architect: Frank Folsom Smith
2051 Main Street, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: Architecture Sarasota Archives
92 Michael Saunders & Company and Wells Fargo Advisors - 1969
Constructed in 1969 for the Sarasota Bank & Trust offices, the building is an example of the Formalism or New Formalism style characterized by a blending of classical or traditional materials and architectural features with modernist design concepts. 1605 Main Street, for example, incorporates marble and colonnades.
former Sarasota Bank & Trust Company
1605 Main Street, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: Sarasota County History Center
92 Truist Office Building - 1975
“…the downtown Truist Bank building (it’s been many other things), despite its less than appealing signage, is woefully overlooked. It’s like a brutalist building decided, on its ascent, that it rather liked prairie style and leaned into that idea for the last few floors. There’s nothing else that quite does that particular dance in our town.” Adapted from nomination by Matt Tilka
Architect: Perry Langston
1777 Main Street, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: www.zillow.com
92 Compass Building - 1980
“At the corner of Main and Orange, this building is the anchor of the downtown business district. It is often admired and photo- graphed by visitors as a wonderful example of the Sarasota School of Architecture style”. Nomination by Virginia Harshman
Architect: Edward “Tim” Seibert
1575 Main Street, Sarasota
Photo: Zachary Timmons
92 Sarasota Memorial Hospital - 2006
Formerly the Herald Tribune Media Group Headquarters, the building’s most prominent feature is its undulating roof. Supported by six-story-tall white columns, the roof shelters the entry and upper-level deck used by employees. The green and blue glass curtain wall permits daylight to penetrate, while controlling heat gain on the interiors. Adapted from Morris Hylton III, Tour Sarasota Architecture, 2009
Architect: Arquitectonica
1741 Main Street, Sarasota
Image Courtesy: Architecture Sarasota Archives
100 The Waterfront
Image Courtesy: Sarasota County History Center
Image Courtesy: Sarasota County History Center
Photo: Jonathan Warren, Suncoast Aerials
