This chilly morning, with a breeze sharp enough to wake anyone up, I grabbed my camera and ventured downtown. I planned to take a few shots of a building for today’s article, but what I saw added a fresh layer to the story. Workers carefully finished the paint job on the Sarasota Times Building, giving it a polished look. I’m thrilled to be the first to capture this freshly painted historic gem, documenting its renewed vibrancy as it stands timeless, anchoring the city’s identity while everything else moves around it.
The Sarasota Times Building, located at 1214–1216 First Street in Sarasota, Florida, is a historic gem that mirrors the city’s rich heritage and architectural evolution. Constructed in 1925, it reflects Sarasota's journey through growth, challenges, and renewal and is now home to restaurant Sage. It was designed by Dwight James Baum, an architect renowned for his bold and visionary work; the building exemplifies the Mediterranean Revival style that defined the city's character during the 1920s boom. Baum, whose other works include the Ca’ d’Zan mansion and the Sarasota County Courthouse, brought distinctive elements to this structure: an asymmetrical stucco and cast stone façade, decorative ceramic tiles, and flat roofs bordered by parapets. These features, inspired by Baum’s studies of Mission and Spanish Colonial Revival styles during his travels in Southern California, continue to capture attention and admiration nearly a century later.
The building was initially constructed to serve as the headquarters for the Sarasota Times newspaper, a publication founded in 1899 that played a pivotal role in the city's development. The three-story structure, encompassing approximately 10,584 square feet, was built using materials of the era, including stuccoed facades and ceramic tile decorations.
The building boasts various architectural elements inside, such as three distinct door types with unique enframements on the ground floor, which add visual interest to the exterior.
These details showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail that were hallmarks of early 20th-century design.
Under L.D. Reagin's leadership, Reagin wasn’t just about delivering news; it was about advocating for the city’s infrastructure, from paved streets to modern amenities. Imagine it in the day: a bustling hub of ideas and ambitions, with loudspeakers on the terraces broadcasting the World Series to a crowd of eager fans below. It was more than a building; it was a gathering place and a symbol of Sarasota’s potential.
However, The Sarasota Times couldn’t weather the economic storms of the late 1920s and eventually went under. The building, however, adapted. It housed everything from citrus companies to art studios and remained significant despite the shifts around it. Its importance was officially recognized in 1984 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Fast-forward to 2014, when Sharon Carole saw the potential of this fading landmark and purchased it for $2.1 million. Her restoration efforts brought the building back to life as best as possible, combining its historic essence with modern functionality. By 2019, the Sarasota Times Building reopened as Sage, a restaurant celebrating its past and future. Inside, the dining rooms are layered with vintage charm and contemporary design, and the rooftop lounge offers some of the city's best views.
If you’re downtown, take a moment to admire this piece of history. Better yet, step inside Sage and experience the beauty of this building from within. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a living part of Sarasota’s story, balancing the energy of the present with the authenticity of the past. https://sagesrq.com/
Photos: iruphotos.com
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