Sarasota-Airport,
Florida -- 6325 N Tamiami
Trail (U.S. 41)
Among
the last group of complexes to have been built with the Nims or
Ranch type Gate Lodge, Sarasota-Airport opened in 1959. Moreover
it was unique in that neither the Restaurant nor Gate Lodge featured
a cupola, for the complex was located adjacent to a runway of Sarasota's
airport!
Photograph
courtesy of Bob venditti
Photographs
April 2, 2005
Surviving
nearly until the end of the Howard Johnson Company's existence,
Sarasota-Airport made it about 25 years. Eventually its site came
to serve USF's
Sarasota-Mantatee and the New
College of Florida's campuses. The Restaurant was converted
into a bookstore and parts of the Motor Lodge became offices for
campus police and other support operations for the schools.
Postcard
circa 1960s (detail)
Photographs
April 2, 2005
Besides
its odd status as never having had cupolas, the Motor Lodge
was also somewhat unusual in that it offered a two-story guest
wing that was physically separated from the main part of the
Lodge. By 2005 it had been converted into housing units most
likely for students at the adjacent colleges.
Note
that just a hint of alternating color could still be discerned
on the original balcony railing panels.
Photograph
courtesy of Bob Venditti
Below:
The guest building directly behind the Gate Lodge housed a print
shop by 2005. Note the Edward
Durell Stone inspired decorative concrete block screen hiding
an equipment or dumpster area.