Now in its fifth year, initiative highlights urgent need to save Sarasota County historic resources from demolition
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) has announced its 2025 Six to Save properties, an initiative in its fifth year that “highlights the urgent need to save historic resources from demolition in Sarasota County,” the organization says.
“This year’s list includes the home of one of Sarasota’s first aldermen, the county’s signature swing bridge, and the area’s first commercial garage — structures dating as far back as 1912,” a news release points out.
“The Six to Save properties reflect what is happening to our community — renowned for its charm and architectural interest — as it faces continued growth,” said Dave Baber, president of SAHP, in the release. “This year’s selections range from a mid-century modern showpiece home now on the market to a public park in need of attention and privately held downtown buildings under development pressure,” the release adds. The selections follow:
- J.B. Turner House, 1912 — 1225 Fruitville Road in Sarasota.
- U.S. Garage building, 1924/1984 — 330 S. Pineapple Ave. in Sarasota.
- Blackburn Point Swing Bridge, 1925 — Blackburn Point Road on Casey Key in Osprey.
- Luke Wood Park and the Mable Ringling Fountain, 1931— 1851 Mound St. in Sarasota.
- Warriner Residence, 1961 — 1677 Hyde Park St. in Sarasota.
- Lawyers Professional Building, 1961 — 2051 Main St. in Sarasota.
“Preservation is about more than simply saving individual buildings,” Baber said in the release. “It’s about maintaining Sarasota County’s unique sense of place and its social and cultural heritage as we grow.”
The release further notes, “Two of this year’s selections — the 1925 swing bridge and Luke Wood Park with the Mable Ringling Fountain — are publicly owned and reflect early civic planning and infrastructure efforts now under threat. Two others, the U.S. Garage Building and Lawyers Professional Building, were designed by or associated with the late Frank Folsom Smith, a key figure of the Sarasota School of Architecture.”
“Our goal is to foster awareness and collaboration among property owners, developers, and public officials,” said Jan Vertefeuille, chair of SAHP’s Historic Preservation Committee, in the release. “In many cases, creative reuse or transfer of development rights can ensure these landmarks survive for future generations.”
The release explains, “The Six to Save program began in 2020 as a partnership between the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation and the History and Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County. A full list of properties recognized since 2020 is available at PreserveSrq.org.
More details about the 2025 properties follow:
Lawyers Professional Building, 1961
This single-story, mid-century modern building on the corner of Main Street and Wallace Avenue “was the first built project of Frank Folsom Smith after he opened his own architectural firm at the age of 35.” It was commissioned by the lawyer Dick Nelson and his client, Hugo Peters, “as rental office space for lawyers wanting to be close to the courthouse … The rental spaces consist of a reception area, conference room and private offices. It helped define the look of downtown in the second half of the 20th century. Located across from the courthouse, the building is organized around a central, open-air courtyard from which attorneys’ rental space is accessed.
Why it’s on the Six to Save list: This building is under threat for the same reason that Victor Lundy’s 25 S. Osprey Ave. structure was included on the 2024 Six to Save — “It is a one-story building located in rapidly growing downtown Sarasota in an area where 10 stories are allowed.”
J.B. Turner House, 1912
“The J. B. Turner House, a 1986 Sarasota landmark, is one of the last homes remaining from Sarasota’s early development period and one of the few surviving examples of rusticated block construction. The house was constructed in 1912 by local stone cutter and mason George W. Barker.” James B. Turner, who purchased the house in 1913, ran one of the earliest businesses, the J.B. Turner Co., on Main Street, for more than 15 years. Turner also served as one of Sarasota’s first aldermen — from 1902 to 1904. In 1924, Turner’s oldest daughter, Agnes, and his son-in-law, J.E. Battle, built their home directly across the street at 1226 Fruitville Road, “a 1984 Sarasota landmark. Both homes are all that remain of the original single-family residential neighborhood that flourished along Fruitville Road.”
Why it’s on the Six to Save list: The property is owned by a developer, although no plans for development have been approved. “The home is a significant remnant of Sarasota’s early growth, surrounded and isolated by modern high-rise development. The preservation of this Sarasota Landmark is essential to preserving the City’s development heritage.”
Luke Wood Park and the Mable Ringling Fountain, 1931
“Long-time Sarasota residents Luke and Ann Wood donated 12 acres to the city in 1931. The parcel became a lush park, with a lagoon and reflecting pool, bird sanctuary, and walking paths. The Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain was constructed in 1936 by the Founder’s Circle and Sarasota Garden Club to honor its first president, Mable Ringling, who died in 1929. Her widower, John Ringling, donated two marble lions, created by an Italian sculptor, to be placed on either side of the fountain. By 1998, the park was divided by Mound Street, a busy throughway that connects U.S. 41 with Bay Street. The fountain was filled in and the marble lions removed. In 2011, the SAHP began restoration of the Ringling fountain with support from numerous stakeholders,” but the efforts stalled when the city’s Utilities Department declined to maintain the fountain.
“Why it’s on the Six to Save: What once was an urban oasis at the southern gateway to the city is now little more than a memory. City leaders have indicated they have no plans to maintain the fountain going forward. They have in the past, however, demonstrated their willingness to allow for the area to be revitalized with community support.”
Blackburn Point Swing Bridge, 1925
“The one-lane swing bridge, linking the mainland to the north end of Casey Key, is listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the Sarasota County Local Register. This Warren pony truss swing structure originally had to be opened via hand crank. It is the last remaining bridge built as part of the first infrastructure blitz by the newly formed Sarasota County during the 1920s land boom. In 2001, an extended debate” took place over whether to replace or rebuild the bridge; the decision ultimately “was to carry out a major rehabilitation” to extend its life by 25 years, at approximately one quarter the cost of replacing it.
“Why it’s on the Six to Save: Debate has begun again over whether to replace the bridge,” with Sarasota County staff having initiated “a study to determine the way forward.” County staff members “are promoting the replacement option, at three times the cost of rehabilitation.” Yet, “the Blackburn Point bridge is an important reminder of early Sarasota County, which is quickly disappearing.”
U.S. Garage building, 1924/1984
The first garage for automobiles in Sarasota, built “during the height of the Florida land boom … was a showcase of modern commercial architecture. In 1924, local architect J. Herbert Johnson designed an automobile showroom and service facility for the owners of the U.S. Garage Company. It features expansive storefront openings on both stories and a plain façade typical of early 20th century commercial design trends.” An elevator with a wood floor made it possible for automobiles to be stored on the second floor. “Evaluated in the mid-1920s as the most modern car showroom in the South, the property operated as a garage until the 1970s, serving as a Ford dealership’s service facility for decades. In 1984, architect Frank Folsom Smith converted the building for office and retail use, retaining original materials and features such as the exposed concrete-and-steel frame, brick infill, skylights, and elevator. It served for a time as an art gallery and now houses multiple small businesses.
“Why it’s on the Six to Save: The U.S. Garage building represents early commercial construction in Sarasota and is an early example of successful adaptive reuse of historic buildings. The building is occupied and in good condition,” but it is slated for demolition if a Naples developer wins City of Sarasota approval to build a two-building condominium complex called the Adagio on property that includes the U.S. Garage site. “Its adaptive reuse by prominent architect Smith in the 1980s is an important example of successful preservation strategy.”
Warriner Residence, 1961
This home was designed by Joan and Ken Warriner, husband-and-wife architects who worked in the office of architect Ralph Twitchell in the 1960s. This “mid-century modern masterpiece” won an award as Record House of 1961 from Architectural Record magazine. “Situated on a narrow lot, this 1,600-square-foot house turns its back to the street in order to provide a private oasis behind its façade of rough-sawn, gray-stained cypress slats. A modest entry courtyard leads to the house, which is organized with public spaces to the west and private spaces to the east. The house is an exercise in successfully combining inside and outside, with every living space, including the bedrooms, having direct access to an outside space of some sort.
“Why it’s on the Six to Save: The structure is under threat because its long-time residents, who purchased the house from the Warriners, have passed away and their heirs have it on the market. The house is not locally designated, although due to its vintage age, a demolition request would need to be officially approved by the City of Sarasota Historic Preservation Board.”