Two miles north of the far more well-known northern Florida vacation vacation spot of St. Augustine, Vilano Seashore is thought for a quieter environment and extra laid-back vibe.
St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America and residential to Castillo de San Marcos fortress, which the Spanish constructed when founding the town in 1565. However Vilano Seashore is taken into account a well-kept secret, even amongst vacationers who go to St. Augustine for the seaside and colonial historical past.
Whereas not practically as previous as St. Augustine, Vilano Seashore has been house to the long-lasting Magic Seashore Motel, in-built 1951 in a mixture of mid-century and artwork deco kinds.
The brilliant pink-and-green pastel colours of the property’s entryway and partitions have been effectively acknowledged round city. The motel was additionally featured over time in a number of movies and reveals set within the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties.
What’s the Magic Seashore Motel, and why is it being demolished?
At one level, the property was often known as the Blue Ocean Motel earlier than being renamed Magic Seashore Motel. It was additionally featured on the Nineties tv present “Safe Harbor” with “Golden Girls” actress Rue McClanahan.
However regardless of numerous protests and local people efforts to put it aside, the Magic Seashore Motel has been set for demolition since St. Johns County granted resort administration a allow to demolish the property amid developer curiosity within the web site.
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“Whereas the County acknowledges the Magic Seashore Motel’s significance to the Vilano Seashore neighborhood, it’s legally prohibited from denying or conditioning demolition if the requested allow complies with state necessities,” St. Johns County introduced final August.
On the finish of October, locals reported seeing demolition crews which have begun tearing down the 74-year-old constructing. The motel has been closed to bookings since September.
In April 2025, native developer Rick Johnston offered plans to construct townhomes on the positioning whereas preserving among the authentic retro model with the identical iconic motel signal on the entrance and among the authentic pink flamingo décor on the entryway.
The Magic Seashore Motel signal has been a Vilano Seashore landmark since 1951. Copyright Expedia Group.
Expedia
This is the newest on resort growth in St. Augustine
Because the Magic Seashore Motel’s house owners have been those who needed to promote property to builders, the demolition allow was granted, regardless of neighborhood opposition.
“It’s a sad thing when something’s seen its time, and that goes for anything when it’s seen its better days,” Michelle Murphy, president of Vilano Beach Main Street, said to a local television network last September.
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The wider St. Augustine area has been going through a wider boost of development as both tourist and resident interest in the city increases.
A new 142-room Marriott property opened its doors to visitors earlier this fall, while developers have also filed for permits to bring a new Margaritaville brand hotel to a stretch of the St. Augustine boardwalk.
Last July, Indianapolis-based development company SUN Development & Management Corp bought the 1980s-era World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort for $24.25 million. The hotel currently continues to operate under the Marriott Renaissance brand, but the deed documents do not prevent a branding change or redevelopment.
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