Magic Beach Motel, a 2025 11 to Save location, will soon be demolished.
St. Johns County reported it had no choice in allowing the demolition permit for the significant historic motel due to the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act (Section 553.8991 of Florida Statutes), which was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2024 despite the combined advocacy work of preservationists from around the state who warned it would needlessly allow the demolition of significant historic buildings. A portion of the property is seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line, so, per the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act, the local government cannot prohibit or delay demolition.
The Florida Trust is tracking historic resources throughout the state that have been lost due to the law, and will include this in our 2026 advocacy strategy. Preservationists should note the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act does not apply to buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, or are a contributing structure within a National Register Historic District added before January 1, 2000.
In addition to being listed as a significant cultural resource, the Magic Beach Motel is an important component of the Vilano Beach Main Street program. The Florida Trust supported local designation of the Magic Beach Motel as a significant cultural resource in December 2021. Built in 1951, the motel is an example of the Late Moderne style, and an embodiment of Florida’s story, capturing post World War II promise, an increasingly mobile population, insight into the evolution of Florida tourism on A1A and even Hollywood history.
The demolition of this incredibly significant historic building is of note because there are ways to save and protect the building. As a masonry structure, there is potential to evaluate options for wet flood proofing instead of demolition as a means of mitigation. The Florida Trust understands and welcomes mitigation against natural disasters but does not support the idea that demolition is the only option for historic resources. Wet floodproofing is allowed for commercial structures and essentially understands that properties can be flooded and cleaned up particularly in masonry structures where materials below the flood zone can withstand temporary inundation and washing down for cleanup.
St. Johns County identified the building as significant, and an architectural historian on record per the Florida Master Site File found the building to be eligible for designation as part of a district. This is not the opinion of just one individual, but of an entire community that has rallied to save the building, most recently by its nomination and inclusion on the Florida Trust’s 11 to Save list.
Furthermore, the economic success of a Main Street community relies heavily on the presence of authentic structures that tell the story of the place – and Magic Beach is one of only a few resources that can authentically tell that story.
The Florida Trust renews its call to work with the current owners to find a solution for the structure that is in compliance with Florida laws, while also maintaining the historical integrity of a vital Main Street community. As with any potential demolition of a historic structure that cannot be avoided, we ask for archive-level documentation of the resource and ultimately to consider if other nontraditional solutions, like moving the building, are possible. We request the County thoroughly review the state legislation and its responsibilities. Finally, we call for further clarity around the owners’ offer to salvage and commemorate key architectural and cultural elements of the motel.
Please continue to let us know if a resource in your community has been lost due to the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act.
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