Photo courtesy State Library and Archives of Florida: Galloway's of Sarasota in 1960.

Sarasota has a strong tradition of supporting and celebrating our culture and arts. Since the mid-20th century, we have been globally recognized as an epicenter of innovative modern architecture and design, often referred to as the Sarasota School of Architecture. 

Today, the region is experiencing a period of rapid growth and transformation. Over the past two decades, Sarasota County has added over 140,000 new residents. What we choose to preserve, adapt and build will resonate for generations to come. 

This is why Architecture Sarasota created Moderns That Matter – an initiative to identify the Sarasota landmarks – from the iconic structures to everyday places – that gives our community its architectural character and distinct sense of place. 

Launched in April 2023, Moderns That Matter employed a multi-phase approach to assemble and record an inventory of places and spaces that have and continue to define Sarasota. We began this comprehensive strategy by reviewing previous surveys, research, and studies. We also examined archives, existing local landmark nominations, and National Register of Historic Places listings. Through a field survey, our team inventoried approximately 800 properties. Over 580 sites were nominated by residents and others who care about Sarasota through an open call that occurred over 90 days, from November 2023 through January 2024. From a combined list of thousands or properties, the research team assembled the Sarasota 100. 

Reviewed and approved by a panel of external experts, the Sarasota 100 is a representative list of places and spaces organized across 10 categories and representing 100 years of Sarasota’s built and cultural heritage (ca.1925 to present day).

Over the next few years, Architecture Sarasota's education, preservation and advocacy efforts will be focused on the Sarasota 100 sites with half a dozen initiatives and collaborations already underway. For example, Architecture Sarasota is partnering with Ringling College of Arts’s Sarasota Art Museum to explore the feasibility of restoring and adaptively using the former Galloway’s Furniture Showroom by Sarasota School of Architecture designer Victor Lundy. The building was significantly modified in the 1980s and occupied by Vision Works. Architecture students from Hampton University in Virginia are developing concepts for rehabilitating, expanding and repurposing the building. Their work will be part of an exhibition at SAM that will open in July. 

We hope residents and others will join Architecture Sarasota next Wednesday, March 20, 5:30-8:30pm, for the opening of the Moderns That Matter exhibition and announcement of the Sarasota 100, 6:30 pm. 

Morris “Marty” Hylton III is president of Architecture Sarasota. Architecture Sarasota’s mission is to steward the Sarasota School of Architecture and to provide a forum for the education, advocacy and celebration in the global built environment.

Photo courtesy State Library and Archives of Florida: Galloway's of Sarasota in 1960.

Architecture Sarasota