HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE: THREE CASE STUDIES By CHRISTOPHER J. BERGER A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2010 1 © 2010 Christopher J. Berger 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my special adviser, Morris Hylton III, who was extremely generous with his time and expertise on the subject. I would also like to thank my other committee members, William Tilson and Sara Katherine Williams. Lorrie Muldowney’s participation was crucial to this thesis, and I am grateful for all her help. I am thankful to the others who met with me for interviews: Harold Bubil, Jack Clark, John Howey, Joseph King, Jeff LaHurd, Martie Lieberman, and Guy Peterson. I would also like to acknowledge Jens Albiez, Dave Baber, Mollie Cardamone, Rob LaDue, John McCarthy, Lara Meckfessel, John Nemmers, Carrie Scupholm, and Clifford Smith. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Joan and Bob Berger, for instilling in me at a young age a respect for historic buildings. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... 3 LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ 7 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... 8 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 12 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 19 2 SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE HISTORY ........................................ 21 Ralph Twitchell ....................................................................................................... 22 Paul Rudolph .......................................................................................................... 24 The Sarasota School of Architecture ...................................................................... 25 Rudolph’s Independent Practice ....................................................................... 28 Other Architects ................................................................................................ 30 Sarasota Public School Program (ca. 1954-1960) ........................................... 33 Decline of the Sarasota School of Architecture ................................................ 34 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 35 3 HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN SARASOTA ......................................................... 48 Significant Sarasota Preservation Demolitions ....................................................... 48 Lido Casino ...................................................................................................... 49 Atlantic Coast Line Train Station ...................................................................... 50 John Ringling Towers ....................................................................................... 50 Sarasota School of Architecture Preservation Efforts ............................................. 53 John Howey Study and Publication .................................................................. 53 Other Studies and Publications ........................................................................ 54 Early Sarasota School of Architecture Successes ............................................ 55 Early Preservation Activities and Events .......................................................... 56 Sarasota School of Architecture Major Demolitions ......................................... 58 Sarasota School of Architecture Recent Successes ........................................ 60 Recent Preservation Activities and Events ....................................................... 62 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 63 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 64 4 MID-CENTURY MODERN PRESERVATION IN OTHER PLACES ........................ 70 4 Los Angeles ............................................................................................................ 72 Palm Springs .......................................................................................................... 75 New Canaan ........................................................................................................... 78 Miami ...................................................................................................................... 81 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 83 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 84 5 REVERE QUALITY HOUSE CASE STUDY ........................................................... 87 History and Significance ......................................................................................... 87 Preservation Efforts ................................................................................................ 90 Findings .................................................................................................................. 94 Location ............................................................................................................ 94 Perceived Obsolescence .................................................................................. 95 Public Awareness and Education ..................................................................... 95 Land ................................................................................................................. 95 Economics ........................................................................................................ 96 Decision-Making Process ................................................................................. 96 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 96 6 NOKOMIS BEACH PLAZA CASE STUDY ........................................................... 103 History and Significance ....................................................................................... 103 Preservation Efforts .............................................................................................. 104 Findings ................................................................................................................ 109 Land ............................................................................................................... 110 Location .......................................................................................................... 110 Economics ...................................................................................................... 110 Perceived Obsolescence ................................................................................ 111 Public Awareness and Education ................................................................... 111 Decision-Making Process ............................................................................... 111 Notes .................................................................................................................... 112 7 RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL CASE STUDY ........................................................ 119 History and Significance ....................................................................................... 119 Preservation Efforts .............................................................................................. 123 Findings ................................................................................................................ 132 Location .......................................................................................................... 133 Land ............................................................................................................... 133 Perceived Obsolescence ................................................................................ 134 Economics ...................................................................................................... 134 Limited Decision-Makers ................................................................................ 135 Public Awareness and Education ................................................................... 135 Notes .................................................................................................................... 136 8 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................... 143 5 Findings ................................................................................................................ 144 Location .......................................................................................................... 148 Land ..............................................................................................................