Atlantic Coast Line Passenger Depot, Sarasota Florida

Date added: May 04, 2025

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The one and two-story Mission Revival Style building located at Number 1 South School Avenue was built at a cost of $100,000 as the passenger depot for the Atlantic Coast Line railroad. The passenger station was the largest ACL passenger station and was estimated to be the most modern depot in the State at the time of completion. Although the building was completed several months prior to the original opening date of Monday the 14^th of September 1925, the station was not actually opened for service until October 1^st. The contemporary press lauded the new passenger station for its excellence "in design and finish," which represented "the maximum of utility and architectural beauty." In addition to design excellence, the site and orientation of the building were highly successful from a planning and urban design aspect, with the two-story train master's observation block and the surrounding, one-story arcuated concourses terminating the axis formed by the intersection of the building with Victory Avenue (Main Street). The location was recommended by nationally significant city planner John Nolen: "Placing of a station … on the axis of Victory … it presents a striking terminal to the long Avenue." The building was remarkably convenient with the concourse, waiting rooms and ticket arcades all located on one level. The architect of the building is not known; however, the general superintendent of the project was listed in a later newspaper article as R. S. Speicher of Sarasota, who is alleged to have " … superintended construction of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art … and the El Patio Apartments."

The location of the new station was indicative of the eastward expansion of the City. The press noted that, "It is conveniently located in spacious grounds … in what many think will ultimately be the center of the city;" and further observed, "with the center of business gravity gradually moving eastward along Main Street," the station would be increasingly convenient. The area east of the station was part of the Courthouse Subdivision which eventually included the new Sarasota County Courthouse, and the eleven-story Sarasota Terrace Hotel. Commercial development included the Charles Ringling Building on Ringling Boulevard.

The Atlantic Coast Line passenger station was part of a larger transportation complex which included the ACL Freight Depot, located at 2227 Fruitville Road. During the late summer and early fall of 1924, the Atlantic Coast Line extended service from Bradenton and began passenger train service into Sarasota on December 3^rd, 1924, a few weeks "after a freight and temporary passenger depot were completed." The ACL was the second major rail line to service Sarasota; the Seaboard system being the first-national line. The proposed ACL (or Tampa Southern) service was heralded in a front-page article in the Sarasota Times; the ACL announcement coincided with the announcement of the Mira Mar Hotel development. The investment in the future of Sarasota, both in monetary and booster terms was significant: "The Atlantic Coast Line expenditures to and into this city will aggregate $300,000," it was estimated, and "The construction work will cost approximately $20,000 per mile." The Sarasota Herald proclaimed that, "This railroad has a firm and abiding faith in the future growth and prosperity of Sarasota both city and county ."

The ACL in an effort to make the investment pay, publicized the new route; Sarasota in turn received free publicity, " … thousands of passenger representatives, ticket agents, etc., in the employ of these vast allied railroads are boosting this territory." The introduction of the new line greatly improved the accessibility of the city. It was estimated in 1923 that "the trip between Tampa and this city will be made in less than two hours … instead of four hours, now consumed on the competitive road [Seaboard]. The new line also provided access to "double daily through sleeping car" service to Sarasota from Boston, New York, Washington, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago." Pullman service with names such as the "Palmetto Limited," the "Floridian," the "Dixie Limited," the "Everglades," and the "Flamingo" would now carry visitors and investors to Sarasota.

In 1973 the former Atlantic Coast Line (subsequently the Seaboard Coastline) passenger station was purchased for re-use as a restaurant. As part of the re-use plan the open arcades were blocked in with stucco-surfaced concrete block, and the interior was altered to effect the "appearance of a brewery," for the restaurant, the "Brewmaster's Steakhouse." Although the formerly open arches have been filled in, the former passenger station has been well maintained at the exterior and the re-use of the building has prevented the demolition of an architecturally and urbanistically significant structure.

Building Description

The one and two-story Mission Style roughcast stucco structure located at 1 South School Avenue was built in 1925 as the passenger depot for the Atlantic Coast Line railroad. Constructed of masonry and hollow-clay tile, on a slab foundation, the plan consisted of a two-story central pavilion located at the west elevation, three interior rooms, surrounded by a one-story, open arcade, and a smaller one-story block located at the north elevation. The interior spaces provided waiting and baggage rooms, and ticket arcades. The two-story block was occupied by the train master's observation area. All services were arranged on the same level which added to the convenience of the plan. The contemporary press praised the passenger depot which represented the "in design and finish the maximum of utility and architectural beauty." The Mission Style building was described in the press as "Spanish Mission with a white finish." Photographic documentation of the original appearance of the station is provided by two photographs, one which appeared in the 1925 Chamber of Commerce Brochure, and one which appeared in the Sarasota Herald in December of 1926. Although the original roughcast stucco was white, the raised molding contours of the roof parapets were picked out in a darker hue. The contrasting color scheme continues today, with the parapet moldings picked out in brown at the north, west and south elevations.

The west elevation was the primary facade, terminating the vista of Victory Avenue [Main Street]. The center bays of the west elevation consisted of a two-story train master's observation area, which was a pan tiled, gabled-roofed structure with shaped parapets located at the east and west elevations and a small brick chimney located at the north lateral slope. The ground floor of the two-story pavilion was pierced by four round-arched, double-hung-sash windows.

At the base of the windows a large shell-shaped, semi-elliptical planter projected from the facade. At the second story two large round-arched openings, protected by cast stone balustrades served as open balconies. Behind each open balcony were two, six-over-six round-arched window openings. The only alterations that have occurred to the two-story central pavilion are: the replacement of the pantiled roof surface with a green asphalt roofing material and the application of a large "Brewmaster" beneath the open balustrade area. Flanking the central pavilion were two, one-story, four-bay open arcades; the arched openings were carried on massive piers which rested on cast stone bases. Between the arches and the roof parapets, a band course of "vigas" provided a strong horizontal design element, creating a pergola effect. Shaped roof parapets located at the corners of the arcuated, one-story wings were decorated with small blind arched recesses. Molded contours picked out in a dark color appeared in a continuous band linking the shaped parapets with the gradually-stepped, flat parapets which rose to a stylized form at the intersection of the one and two-story planes. The open arches located at either side of the two-story central pavilion today are the recessed entrances of the restaurant. The southernmost entrance is protected by a barrel-arched canopy. Each entrance is approached by a ramped incline. The remaining six open arches located at the west elevation have been filled in with stucco-surfaced concrete block.

The east elevation formerly faced the train tracks, but currently serves as the service area of the restaurant. A small concrete block addition with ventilated sides and shed roof projection is located at the east elevation (along with many dumpsters). All of the formerly open arches located at the east elevation have been filled in with concrete block and a small entrance door has been provided in the filled archway located at the center bay of the east side. The parapet molding which is picked out in brown paint at the other elevation, is painted white at the east elevation.

The south elevation was formerly marked by four open arches, supported on piers and cast stone bases; each arch has been enclosed. The viga, pergola effect was also a horizontal design element employed at the south facade. The roof parapet consisted of small shaped parapets at the corners of the roofline and a small suppressed pediment located at the center of the parapeted roof. At the center of the pedimented parapet appeared a stylized blind quatrefoil recessed molding. A remnant of railroad days remains, a circular sign with the emblem of the "Seaboard Coast Line Railroad." The only alteration to the south elevation is the infill of the open arches.

A rectangular, one-story structure which is located at the north elevation is smaller in elevation and dimensions than the open, one-story arcades. The parapet line consists of suppressed pediments, with a continuous molding, also painted brown. Beneath the pedimented parapet appears a pantiled hipped roof structure which is supported on large open brackets. The north facade is pierced by two, round-arched, three-over-three windows, protected by metal window grilles. A large "Brewmaster" sign occupies the tympanum of the suppressed pediment. The northeast flank of the one-story block is pierced by two round-arched window openings which flank a central door. The southwest elevation has similar bay divisions; however, the central four-paneled, two-leaved, wood door set within a round-arched enframement is original to the structure.

The original interior provided waiting rooms, baggage rooms and ticket arcades (as previously stated). The contemporary press described the original interior as "decorated in the same manner as the Mira Mar Hotel, a blue color predominating." The restaurant which occupies the original interior and enclosed arcaded area is designed to look like a brewery. The original grounds of the ACL station were landscaped, with a "floral park 177' square between the passenger and baggage station." Gravel driveways were provided at the north and south and the Main Street elevations. Today the west elevation is planted within a small parterre located at the southwest edge of the property. A picturesque mature evergreen is located at the west elevation.