In a move reflecting the relentless pressure of rapid growth across the region, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation officially released its 2025 “Six to Save” list, calling urgent public attention to threatened landmarks ranging from rare mid-century modern homes to vital public infrastructure.
The announcement was made at one of the threatened sites, the historic Luke Wood Park on Mound Street, underscoring the initiative’s focus on saving structures from both demolition and decay. Now in its sixth year, the “Six to Save” program highlights historic resources facing danger across Sarasota County.
“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 Alliance President Dave Baber. “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.”
Mid-Century Masterpieces and Downtown Threats
The 2025 list features a broad spectrum of Sarasota’s history under threat, with five properties located within the city limits:
The Warriner Residence (1677 Hyde Park St.)
Considered a mid-century modern masterpiece, this 1960 home was designed by the renowned husband-and-wife team, Joan and Ken Warriner. The residence received national recognition in Architectural Record Magazine in 1961 for its “Good Design on a $14,500 Budget.” With its original terrazzo floors, jalousie windows, and signature walls of glass, the house remains remarkably intact, but its current listing on a large lot makes it highly vulnerable to demolition for a high-density replacement.
U.S. Garage Building (330 S. Pineapple Ave.)
This downtown commercial site faces an immediate threat of being torn down for a planned 18-story luxury residential project, confirming the intense development pressure that characterizes the downtown core.
Lawyers Professional Building (2051 Main St.)
Another downtown mid-century modern gem, this 1961 building was the first commercial project completed by architect Frank Folsom Smith after he opened his own firm. It is now critically exposed to redevelopment that typically values height over historic, one-story commercial design.
Historic Assets Facing Neglect and Uncertainty
The Alliance also drew attention to historic assets that are not traditional buildings:
Luke Wood Park and the Mable Ringling Fountain (1851 Mound St.)
The park itself is on the list, along with the beautiful Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain. Erected in 1936 to honor John Ringling’s philanthropic wife, Mable, the fountain has faced preservation challenges before, having been covered over in the 1950s due to neglect. Despite a successful restoration in the early 2010s led by the Alliance, the fountain is once again described as “inoperable,” highlighting the persistent need for ongoing maintenance and commitment to public historic spaces.
Blackburn Point Swing Bridge (Osprey)
Located just outside the city in Osprey, this 1926 steel truss swing bridge is the only piece of public infrastructure on the list. It is one of the few surviving historic swing bridges in Florida and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, yet it faces constant threats from necessary repairs and modern operational demands.
J.B. Turner House (1225 Fruitville Road)
This property is one of the oldest surviving structures in downtown Sarasota, built in 1912 and significant for its rare Colonial Revival style using rusticated stone block. While developers exploring the site have indicated a willingness to potentially move the house to an undetermined location, its future at its original historic location remains uncertain.
The Path to Preservation
The “Six to Save” program is designed to rally public support, which has resulted in positive outcomes for properties like the Colson Hotel and the Warm Mineral Springs buildings in previous years. The Alliance is also actively working with the City of Sarasota to develop a Historic Preservation Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program to give private owners an economic incentive to protect their historic buildings rather than sell them for demolition. The Alliance also operates a program offering low-cost loans to assist owners of historic properties with critical maintenance and repairs.
The 2025 “Six to Save” List
The 2025 Six to Save properties highlighted by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation are:
- J.B. Turner House, 1225 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.
- U.S. Garage building, 330 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
- Warriner Residence, 1677 Hyde Park St., Sarasota.
- Lawyers Professional Building, 2051 Main St., Sarasota.
- Luke Wood Park and the Mable Ringling Fountain, 1851 Mound St., Sarasota.
- Blackburn Point Swing Bridge, Blackburn Point Road, Casey Key/Osprey.
