There is a 2 story building at downtown 27 Fletcher Sarasota

    27 Fletcher Avenue in downtown Sarasota, Fl. 34285 has a long  and varied business history, from.early 20th century industrial uses to a high  profile pizzeria and now a multimillion dollar retail opportunity   Early corporate and industrial uses to 

Public filings show that in 1970’s–1980’s, this address was used by several.Florida registered corporations, including: 

     Foreign Car Specialist of Sarasota Inc (1975)

     Burns and Walker Crane and Equipment, Inc (1985). .          ..  Mechanics System, Inc (1983)

     Mareron Productions, Inc (1986)

   The Breakers, Inc, Treatment Center (1986)

   R.D. Publishing, Inc (1986)

  Sarasota Farm Investors, Inc. (1987)

  Progressive Computer System and Services, Inc (1985)

   Who’s Who in Golf, Inc (1983)

       Era and style 

   The building was constructed in 1925.  The building reflects the early 20th century commercial style common in Sarasota’s core blending Craftsman influences with early Art Deco Motifs

     Form and massing

It is a free standing, two story retail building with a rectangular, typical of small downtown commercial  blocks from.the 1920s

  
    

Century of Progress Historic District

 The Century of Progress Historic District is a group of five innovative 1933 World’s Fair  houses in Beverly Stores , Indiana, preserved within Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

     Origins in the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair.

     The district’s history starts with the Century of Progress International Exposition, held in Chicago from May 1933 to November 1934 to celebrate the city’s centennial and showcase scientific and technological innovation during the Great Depression.

     The fair emphasized modern technology, experimental materials and futuristic designs, offering hope economic hardship.

     The ” Homes of Tomorrow” exhibition displayed 12 model houses demonstrating affordable, mass producible construction, new mechanical systems and modernist styles.  Relocation may Beverly Shores 

  Real estate developer Robert Bartlett purchased these houses from the fair and transported them to a new resort community on the Indiana shores of Lake.Michigan.  Four were moved by barge in 1935.and one(Cypress Log Cabin) by.truck.  Bartlett hoped the striking, futuristic homes would attract buyers to Beverly Shores.

The Five Houses

The district includes:

     Cypress Log Cabin-rustic appearance appearance with modern.amenities

     House of Tomorrow – a futuristic protype home

     Armco-Ferro Houses built from enamel steel and porcelain, designed for mass production.

     Florida Tropical Homes commissioned by  the State of Florida to promote tourism

      Weibolt -Rostone House constructed with limestone,shale, alkali and steel.beams

Design Single rectangular form with clean lines. Composed of square/rectangular rooms

Materials

     Exterior and most interior surfaces covered with Reston an experimental manufactured stone.

Roof: flat

Windows: Minimal

Notable features: 

     Demonstrated synthetic  stone construction

Architect Walter Scholer

Cypress Log.Cabin

Design:

     Rustic , log cabin appearance with exposed with exposed rafters,simple layout.

Materials 

     Cypress wood siding mimicking hewn logs without the cost or labor of real logs.

     Roof: Flat 

     Notable features

Showcase pecky  cypress as a modern durable siding material

     Architect Murray D. Hetherington

      Florida Tropical Home embodied modernist tropical.  It was constructed using materials native to Florida.  The stucco exterior was complimented by an open interior plan and large windows to integrate the interior  and outdoor living spaces. The flat roof extended the living area with terraced outspaces, creating a seamless connection with the exterior environment.  The home’s vivid flamingos pink color highlights its regional identity while reflecting the embrace of bold color schemes.  The house was sponsored by the state of Florida and designed by Robert Law Weed

Armco Ferro 212 Lakefront. Drive Beverly.Shores, IN.Architect Scholer,Walter et al

Historical Significance

The district is significant for its architectural innovation, technological advance, and in promoting  modern living ideals during the Depression.  Even 90 years later, the homes retain.a modern, futuristic  character, making them.a unique blend of history and design

     House of Tomorrow was designed by architect Fred Keck. It was a futuristic glass walled model home.showcased at the 1933-1934 Chicago World Fair.

     Key Architectural and Technological Innovations

Floor to Ceiling glass featured expansive glass plate glass exterior walls providing sweeping, modern sight lines

     Climate Control

Included one of the earliest residential central.air conditioning systems

     Futuristic Appliances

Outfitted with the first ever General.Electric dishwasher and ice less refrigerator.