Rosemary Square
The Rosemary District is near downtown Sarasota, known as the Cultural Capital of Florida. The vision for Rosemary Square was to create a “living room” for the neighborhood which had become rundown over recent decades and without a public park. The architect’s goal was to re-energize the community by finally bringing arts to Boulevard of the Arts.
The resulting scheme was designed as three buildings positioned to make a community square. The concept was to prioritize the space in between the buildings in concert with how the buildings touch the street, addressing the pedestrian scale and nurturing daily human interaction. Organic walking patterns were studied and addressed. Outdoor hallways create cross ventilation and lead to the square where open-air dining, festivals, markets, even movies, are enjoyed.
To keep the rents accessible for non-profits, an industrial aesthetic combines functionality with design. Concrete blocks and galvanized metal evoke the feeling of a warehouse district. Vivid colors accent outdoor hallways, urging pedestrians to discover new pathways.
Tenants now include Sarasota Ballet School, Players Studio, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Sarasota Opera houses their visiting artists within thirty apartments – walkable to the historic opera house. A courtyard sculpture and murals by local artists were commissioned.
The Overton is an open-air restaurant in the courtyard that embodies the spirit of Rosemary Square using materials like recycled plywood, transparent garage doors, copper piping, and abundant potted vegetation.
The color palette is mostly white to reduce heat absorption. Large overhangs form shade. Natural daylighting, energy-efficient windows, LED lighting, low VOC finishes, a well-insulated building envelope, low-flow plumbing, Florida-friendly landscaping, and EnergyStar appliances are used. Permeable walkway pavers and an underground water-vault provide rainwater management. Near public transportation, bike racks encourage a carbon-free alternative.
With the project’s completion, the surrounding neighborhood exploded with activity including 1,500 new housing units within walking distance.
The resulting scheme was designed as three buildings positioned to make a community square. The concept was to prioritize the space in between the buildings in concert with how the buildings touch the street, addressing the pedestrian scale and nurturing daily human interaction. Organic walking patterns were studied and addressed. Outdoor hallways create cross ventilation and lead to the square where open-air dining, festivals, markets, even movies, are enjoyed.
To keep the rents accessible for non-profits, an industrial aesthetic combines functionality with design. Concrete blocks and galvanized metal evoke the feeling of a warehouse district. Vivid colors accent outdoor hallways, urging pedestrians to discover new pathways.
Tenants now include Sarasota Ballet School, Players Studio, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Sarasota Opera houses their visiting artists within thirty apartments – walkable to the historic opera house. A courtyard sculpture and murals by local artists were commissioned.
The Overton is an open-air restaurant in the courtyard that embodies the spirit of Rosemary Square using materials like recycled plywood, transparent garage doors, copper piping, and abundant potted vegetation.
The color palette is mostly white to reduce heat absorption. Large overhangs form shade. Natural daylighting, energy-efficient windows, LED lighting, low VOC finishes, a well-insulated building envelope, low-flow plumbing, Florida-friendly landscaping, and EnergyStar appliances are used. Permeable walkway pavers and an underground water-vault provide rainwater management. Near public transportation, bike racks encourage a carbon-free alternative.
With the project’s completion, the surrounding neighborhood exploded with activity including 1,500 new housing units within walking distance.
Project Year: 2018
Project Cost: More than $2,000,000
Country: United States
Zip Code: 34236
