St. Johns County issued a statement Tuesday, Aug. 5, saying it will issue a demolition permit for the Magic Beach Motel, located at 50 Vilano Road, in accordance with state law and following review by county staff.
The property, constructed in 1951, and designated in 2021 as a “significant cultural resource” under the county’s Land Development Code, is partially located seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line. As a result, the demolition falls under the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act provisions, enacted by the Florida Legislature.
Under this state law, local governments are prohibited from restricting or preventing the demolition of qualifying structures, including those located seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line.
The statute further limits local review to matters strictly related to compliance with the Florida Building Code, Fire Prevention Code and other life safety standards.
The statement acknowledges the Magic Beach Motel’s significance to the Vilano Beach community, but said the county is legally prohibited from denying or conditioning demolition if the requested permit complies with state requirements under Chapter 202421.
The property owner, Vilano Beach Lodging LLC, (managing members Tejal Patel and Nilesh Patel) submitted the required documentation in compliance with applicable state and local codes, including a voluntary Cultural Resource Management Plan. Although not required, the property owner has committed to implementing certain elements of the plan, which include documenting, salvaging and commemorating key architectural and cultural elements of the motel.
On June 30, the St. Johns County Cultural Resource Review Board ruled that the property owner had not provided sufficient alternatives to demolition, relevant largely due to the structure’s historic cultural significance.
Florida statute preempts and voids any conflicting local law, ordinance or process. This would negate any opposing ruling by the Cultural Review Board or Board of County Commissioners.
Local opinion varies on the issue, with strong residential opposition to the demolition. At the Preservation on Main Street Annual Conference held in Fernandina Beach on July 14, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation named the motel to a list of threatened historic places in Florida.
Originally named the Blue Ocean Motel, the structure is one of few local examples of Late Moderne Style. Multiple attempts to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places have failed.
The motel has received some attention as a movie location. It was used in the Netflix series “3 Body Problem,” as well as “Safe Harbor” starring actress Rue McClanahan.
Demolition is expected to begin later this year.
