STAFF REPORT
news@lbknews.com
The final domino is about to fall, clearing the way for one of the most anticipated culinary revivals in the history of Longboat.
The Harbour Square office building, a 1984 structure that has stood quietly at the edge of Sarasota Bay, has reached its expiration date. Its demolition, slated for 2026, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the 1905 Family of Restaurants—the empire behind the legendary Columbia Restaurant—and their ambitious plan to resurrect a local icon: The Buccaneer.
For nearly a decade, the project has been a subject of island speculation and anticipation. Now, with the final tenant vacated and permit paperwork in motion, the site is being prepped for a transformation that promises to blend the prestige of Florida’s oldest restaurant family with the swashbuckling nostalgia of Longboat’s past.
Clearing the Deck
The Harbour Square building, a one-story elevated office complex, was purchased by an entity connected to the 1905 Family of Restaurants for $4 million in 2017. While the group initially explored saving the structure to support their new venture, the reality of the aging building made that impossible.
Jeff Houck, Vice President of Marketing for the restaurant group, indicated that while they thoroughly investigated renovating the existing office complex, the structural repairs required were simply too extensive to be feasible.
Crews have already begun the initial work, clearing trees and shrubs from the site in recent weeks. Once the building is razed, it will be joined with the adjacent vacant lot at 4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive—the former home of Pattigeorge’s Restaurant, which was demolished in the summer of 2018. Together, these parcels will form the canvas for Richard Gonzmart’s vision.
The demolition is not just about removing concrete; it is about creating space for what Gonzmart has described as a future architectural landmark. The property includes boat slips, a crucial asset that will likely serve as parking for future diners arriving by water, echoing the golden age of Longboat dining where the journey was half the fun.
A Pirate’s Tale Returns
For longtime residents, the name “Buccaneer” summons memories of a different era of Longboat Key—a time when dinner came with a side of adventure.
The original Buccaneer Inn, opened by Herb Field in 1957, was more than a restaurant; it was a theater of the high seas. Located elsewhere on the island, it was famous for its elaborate pirate theme. Patrons were greeted by Ransom Webster, a peg-legged pirate cosplayer who became a local celebrity. Menus were priced in “doubloons,” and the atmosphere was thick with the romance of Old Florida privateers. It closed in 2001, leaving a void in the island’s character that has never quite been filled.
For Richard Gonzmart, the fourth-generation caretaker of the 1905 Family of Restaurants, the Buccaneer was personal. He has previously shared that, aside from his own family’s Columbia, the Buccaneer Inn was his parents’ favorite restaurant. His memories of dining there as a child have fueled a passion to bring that spirit back to the island, not as a kitschy reproduction, but as a high-end homage to the hospitality and excitement that defined the original.
The Gonzmart Standard
The arrival of a Gonzmart concept is a significant economic and cultural event for Longboat Key. The 1905 Family of Restaurants is Florida royalty, best known for the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City—the oldest restaurant in the state—as well as Ulele, Cha Cha Coconuts, and Casa Santo Stefano.
Their brand is built on a fusion of deep historical respect and operational excellence. When the Gonzmarts build, they build for the next century. The new Buccaneer is expected to feature charcoal-grilled prime rib—a staple of the original Inn—and other classic dishes reimagined with the culinary precision that has earned the group national acclaim.
By replacing the aging Harbour Square office and the empty Pattigeorge’s lot with a destination waterfront venue, the town stands to gain a new social anchor. It signals a shift from the functional (offices) to the experiential (dining), aligning with the island’s reputation as a haven for leisure and luxury.
What’s Next?
While the demolition is imminent, the timeline for the first course is still simmering. According to Houck, specific architectural blueprints for the site have not yet been finalized. He noted that the current priority is simply preparing the land so that it is ready for construction whenever the design phase is complete.
For now, the removal of the Harbour Square office building is a definitive statement: The stage is being set. The pirates are coming back to Longboat Key, and this time, they’re bringing the best food in Florida with them.
