The El Verona Hotel was located at 111 N. Tamiami Trail,  Sarasota, Florida. It was built by Owen Burns to honor his wife Verona Hill Freeman of New York..  The architect was Frank Baum.  The building was described as the most perfect example of Spanish Architecture.  The Hotel opened with a grand ball and New Years eve celebration on  12/31/1926.

     The hotel had 150 rooms.  The exterior was brownish gold facade.  Construction costs were $800,000.

     The ownership of the hotel  changed after the land crash of the Florida Boom. John Ringling took over the hotel and renamed it the John Ringling Hotel.  It featured circus acts in the main dining room.  John Ringling owned the hotel from 1930 to 1950.

     After 1950, the former  El Verona Hotel was converted to an apartment complex. It was renamed Ringling Towers in 1964.  By 1980, the building was vacant.  It was demolished in 1998 It was replaced by the Ritz Carleton.

     This building is also known as the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theater.  It is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.  It was built in 1989.  It has a seating capacity of 500.

     Portions of the 18 th century Dunfermline Opera House (Scotland) were deconstructed and shipped to Sarasota .  They were installed into the interior of the Mertz Theater.

     The address of this building is 101 South Washington Boulevard Sarasota.  This building was constructed by Charles Ringling in 1925.  The architects were Smith and Pringle. He was president of the Sarasota Terrace Hotel Company. The hotel was built on the site of the number one green of the Old Gillespie Golf Course.

     The building was 11 stories with 125 rooms. Construction costs were $750,000.   The hotel featured fire proof rooms, private baths for each room, views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The exterior is stucco over hollow clay tiles.

    Over the next 30:years, the hote served the needs of downtown Sarasota. The name was changed to the New Terrace Hotel in the 1950 ‘s.

     In 1972, the hotel was purchased by Arthur C. Allyn,Jr owner of the Baseball Team, the Chicago White Sox.He initiated a $100,000 renovation of the building.  During the winter months the White Sox and the minor league team the Sarasota Sun Sox stayed at the hotel.
     Both in 1964 and in 1967 motel sections were   constructed to the back of the hotel.  In 1965, the name was changed to the Sarasota Motel. The hotel closed 1972.

     The hotel building was purchased by Sarasota County and was used its administration center.

     Benderson Development Company bought the Sarasota Terrace Building for 21 million dollars in 2021.  According to the sale agreement Sarasota County occupied the Sarasota Terrace until 2025.

     Benderson is proposing a remodeling of the existing structure.  It is proposing a mixed use building.  Ground floor retail and restaurant is suggested

The Oak Creek Town Hall served as the local government headquarters and was in service until 1963

     The exterior of the walkway is stuccoed.  The trim is  Etowah Georgia pink .  This is identical to that used in the Charles Ringling Mansion.

     The Hester Ringling House is classified as an eclectic Mediterranean Revival type and Italian Renaissance Style.The land for the Hester Ringling mansion was purchased by Charles Ringling from Charles Thompson.

     The architect  is unknown.   Construction costs were 1.5 million dollars.  Construction took place between 1925 to 1926.  The exterior is an asymmetrical stuccoed facade. The roof is hipped red clay tile.

     The Hester Ringling Estate was renamed A. Werk Cook Hall in honor of a friend and benefactor of New College

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