Seaside, Florida

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File:Seaside Florida architecture.jpg

File:Seaside Entrance.JPG

Seaside is an unincorporated master-planned community on the Florida Panhandle in Walton County, between Panama City Beach and Destin. One of the first communities in America designed on the principles of New Urbanism, which promotes walkability and mixed-use developments, the town has become the topic of slide lectures in architectural schools and in housing-industry magazines, and is visited by design professionals from all over the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/96sep/kunstler/langdon.htm|title=A Good Place to Live|website=The Atlantic|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512112330/http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/96sep/kunstler/langdon.htm|url-status=live}} It has been featured in multiple documentaries for it's urban design. {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9F4PDPUS24&ab_channel=First+MainFilms |title=American Makeover Episode 2: SEASIDE, THE CITY OF IDEAS |date=2013-05-23 |last=First + Main Films |access-date=2025-05-22 |via=YouTube}}

History

File:Seaside Chaple BW.jpg

File:Beach of Seaside in Walton County in Florida Panhandle.JPG

The community was first constructed in 1981.{{Cite web |title=Seaside Celebrates 40 Years! |url=https://viemagazine.com/article/seaside-florida-celebrates-40-years/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=VIE Magazine |language=en}}

The idea behind Seaside came in 1946, when the grandfather of future founder Robert S. Davis bought {{convert|80|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of land along the shore of Northwest Florida as a summer retreat for his family.[http://www.seasidefl.com/communityHistory.asp Seaside, FL | More than a way of life, a way of living!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123160051/http://www.seasidefl.com/communityHistory.asp |date=2011-01-23 }}

In 1978, Davis inherited the parcel from his grandfather, and aimed to transform it into an old-fashioned beach town, with traditional wood-framed cottages of the Florida Panhandle. Davis, his wife Daryl and, the architectural partners and Driehaus Prize winners, Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company toured the south studying small towns as a basis for planning Seaside.{{Cite web|url=https://seaside.library.nd.edu/essays/the-plan|title=The Seaside Research Portal|website=seaside.library.nd.edu|access-date=2018-04-13|archive-date=2020-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027004927/https://seaside.library.nd.edu/essays/the-plan|url-status=live}}[http://www.seasidefl.com/communityHistory2.asp Seaside, FL | More than a way of life, a way of living!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123143421/http://www.seasidefl.com/communityHistory2.asp |date=2011-01-23 }} The final plan was complete around 1985.

The town was used as the main filming location of the 1998 film The Truman Show.{{Cite web|title=Unexpected USA: Cultural hotspots|url=http://www.bbc.com/storyworks/travel/unexpected-usa/culture|access-date=2021-10-26|website=BBC Travel|language=en|archive-date=2017-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205132230/http://www.bbc.com/storyworks/travel/unexpected-usa/culture|url-status=live}}

Location

Seaside is located along County Road 30A immediately adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. Via County Road 30A, Rosemary Beach is 8 mi (13 km) to the southeast, and Miramar Beach is 16 mi (26 km) to the northwest (via County Road 30A to US 98).

Design

Seaside is one of three planned communities on Florida's Gulf coast designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The other two are Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach. The three are examples of a style of urban planning known as New Urbanism.

As Seaside is privately owned, no other municipal governments had planning jurisdiction over Seaside, and therefore the developers were able to write their own zoning codes.{{Needs citation|date=November 2024}}

Individual housing units in Seaside are required to be different from other buildings, with designs ranging from styles such as Victorian, New Classical, Modern, Postmodern, and Deconstructivism.{{cite web|url=http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/success/Seaside.shtml|title=Smart Communities Network: Overview Success Stories|access-date=8 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225010/http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/success/Seaside.shtml|archive-date=3 March 2016}} Seaside includes buildings by architects such as Léon Krier, Robert A. M. Stern, (Gary Brewer, Partner in Charge), Steven Holl, Machado and Silvetti Associates, Ernesto Buch, Teofilio Victoria, Derrick Smith, Richard Gibbs and Randy Harelson, Vic Bowman, Stuart Cohen and Anders Nereim, Peter Horn, Deborah Berke, Leo Casas, Nonya Gernader and Rafael Pelli, John Massengale, Don Cooper, Carey McWhorter, Robert Lamar, Pam Bullock, Suellen Hudson, Melanie Taylor, Victoria Casasco, Gordon Burns & Associates, Thomas Christ, Walter Chatham, Daniel Solomon, Ronnie Holstead, Jeff Margaretten, Alex Gorlin, Aldo Rossi, Michael McDonough, Samuel Mockbee, David Mohney, Mabry & Porter, Ty Nunn, Steve Badanes, Walker Candler, Charles Warren, Gary Justiss, and David Coleman.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6D8113AF93BA35755C0A963958260|title=CURRENTS - Evoking the Mayans On a Florida Beach - NYTimes.com|work=The New York Times |date=8 June 1995|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026192033/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/08/garden/currents-evoking-the-mayans-on-a-florida-beach.html|url-status=live |last1=Moonan |first1=Wendy }} Another Driehaus Prize winner, the architect Scott Merrill designed the Seaside Chapel, an interfaith chapel and local landmark, along with a number of homes.{{Cite web |url=http://homeownerscollection.com/seaside-fl-chapel-weddings |title=The Chapel at Seaside |access-date=2017-04-21 |archive-date=2017-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422041901/http://homeownerscollection.com/seaside-fl-chapel-weddings |url-status=live }}

Seaside has no private front lawns, and only native plants are used in front yards.{{Cite news|title = Breaking Ground; Seed. Reseed. Secede.|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/04/garden/breaking-ground-seed-reseed-secede.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1998-06-04|access-date = 2015-05-03|issn = 0362-4331|first = Michael|last = Pollan|archive-date = 2015-05-27|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150527074153/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/04/garden/breaking-ground-seed-reseed-secede.html|url-status = live}}

Events

During the Annual 30A Songwriters Festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Association of Walton County, singer-songwriters from all over the U.S. perform in venues along Scenic Highway 30A and at a few venues in Seaside itself.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasidefl.com/eventsCalendar.asp?offset=6 |title=Seaside, FL {{!}} More than a way of life, a way of living! |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716030246/http://www.seasidefl.com/eventsCalendar.asp?offset=6 |url-status=live }}

The Seaside Half Marathon and 5K Race is held each year in March, and attracts runners from all across the U.S. This is quickly becoming one of the region's premier running events. The 5K Run is limited to the first 800 people that register and the Half Marathon is limited to the first 2200 that register.{{cite web|url=http://www.seasideschoolhalfmarathon.com/|title=Seaside Half Marathon|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=2 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202122805/http://www.seasideschoolhalfmarathon.com/|url-status=live}} The top three runners from each age group receive a prize, and every runner in the half marathon receives a medal upon completing the race. Participants are allowed to walk in either race.{{cite web|url=http://www.seasideschoolhalfmarathon.com/race_info.php|title=Seaside Half Marathon|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716025846/http://www.seasideschoolhalfmarathon.com/race_info.php|url-status=live}}

The Seaside Central Square offers a variety of events including movie nights at the Central Square Cinema.{{Cite web |title=Movie Nights in Seaside, FL |url=https://homeownerscollection.com/events/movie-nights |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=homeownerscollection.com}} Other events include the Seeing Red Wine Festival,{{Cite web |title=The Seeing Red Wine Festival 2023 in Seaside, Florida |url=https://homeownerscollection.com/blog/news/seeing-red-wine-festival-2023-seaside-florida |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=homeownerscollection.com}} a dance festival, a farmers market, and holiday events such as an annual production of The Nutcracker.{{Needs citation|date=November 2024}}

Organizations and institutions

= Escape to Create =

Escape to Create aims to celebrate artists and serve the community through Multi-Disciplinary Artist Residencies, Visiting Artists and Scholars, Arts and Cultural Programs, and Educational outreach.

=Seaside Farmers Market=

On Saturday mornings the Seaside Farmers Market offers fresh local produce, dairy products, baked goods, and native plants.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasidefl.com/eventsCalendar.asp?offset=0 |title=Seaside, FL {{!}} More than a way of life, a way of living! |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716030413/http://www.seasidefl.com/eventsCalendar.asp?offset=0 |url-status=live }} Demonstrations in cooking and gardening are also held on a regular basis.{{cite web|url=http://www.localharvest.org/seaside-farmers-market-M29532|title=Seaside Farmers Market|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603163305/http://www.localharvest.org/seaside-farmers-market-M29532|url-status=live}}

=Repertory Theater=

The Repertory Theater (REP) was founded in the spring of 2001, and serves more than 25,000 people every year.{{Cite web |url=http://lovetherep.com/about-us/ |title=About Us – the REP Theatre – Seaside, Florida, 30A, South Walton, Santa Rosa Beach, Panama City Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, Emerald Coast Professional Theater |access-date=2017-11-20 |archive-date=2017-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120140653/http://lovetherep.com/about-us/ |url-status=live }}

The plays are performed by the only professional theater company on the Emerald Coast, and includes everything from family shows to sophisticated adult content shows.{{Cite web |url=http://lovetherep.com/calendar/ |title=Calendar – the REP Theatre – Seaside, Florida, 30A, South Walton, Santa Rosa Beach, Panama City Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, Emerald Coast Professional Theater |access-date=2017-11-20 |archive-date=2017-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105175934/http://lovetherep.com/calendar/ |url-status=live }}

High school students who live in the area can intern at the Seaside Repertory Theater. The program is intended to teach practical knowledge by working with the staff and get to be in charge of their own production.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasiderep.org/education |title=High School Company Internship at the Seaside Repertory Theatre|website=Seaside Repertory Theatre|access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029132616/http://www.seasiderep.org/education |url-status=usurped }}

=SEASIDE Institute=

The SEASIDE Institute is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in Seaside, Florida. The organization hosts educational programs throughout the year centered around sustainability, connectivity, and adaptability.

=Seaside Neighborhood School=

In 1995 a group of parents and other community members from towns in Walton County, met and discussed how they could improve education within the county. Their discussions focused on making a densely populated school with grades five to eight.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasideschool.net/charter_school_info.html |title=Seaside Neighborhood School – Charter School Info |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2007-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103173800/http://www.seasideschool.net/charter_school_info.html |url-status=live }} In 1996 Seaside Neighborhood School was established. It was Florida's first charter school.{{cite web|url=http://www.seasideschool.net/|title=Seaside Neighborhood School – A Charter School in Seaside FL|author=CYber SYtes, Inc. – Bethany Cahours|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504071019/http://www.seasideschool.net/|url-status=live}} The school initially consisted of 50 students and one classroom. In 1998, architect Richard Gibbs designed three white buildings which became the school's site.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasidefl.com/communityCharterSchool.asp |title=Seaside, FL {{!}} More than a way of life, a way of living! |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2011-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130105609/http://seasidefl.com/communityCharterSchool.asp |url-status=live }} In order to maintain the small enrollment of children that attend the school, a limited number of students are accepted into each grade. If enrollment exceeds the limit, students names are drawn randomly from a lottery. After the limit has been reached, they continue to pull out names which then creates a school year waiting list. If someone withdraws from the school then the first on the waiting list will be accepted. Children of employees, Board Members, or siblings of current attendees of the school are automatically admitted. In 2013, Seaside Neighborhood School founded a collegiate high school, called Seacoast Collegiate High School. In its inaugural year, it served 80 students in grades 9 and 10. Grade 11 was added in 2014 and grade 12 was added in the fall of 2015. In August 2014, Seaside Neighborhood School also introduced a fifth grade class.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seasideschool.net/admission_policies_and_procedures.html |title=Seaside Neighborhood School – Admission Policies and Procedures |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2011-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130060822/http://www.seasideschool.net/admission_policies_and_procedures.html |url-status=live }}

Notable residents

Don Gaetz, Florida State Senator{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/rep-matt-gaetz-wants-you-to-know-who-he-is-and-his-plan-is-working/2018/02/20/2dfce71e-126a-11e8-8ea1-c1d91fcec3fe_story.html|title=Rep. Matt Gaetz wants you to know who he is, and his plan is working|last=Zak|first=Dan|date=February 20, 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-10-24|archive-date=2021-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713225153/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/rep-matt-gaetz-wants-you-to-know-who-he-is-and-his-plan-is-working/2018/02/20/2dfce71e-126a-11e8-8ea1-c1d91fcec3fe_story.html|url-status=live}}
Matt Gaetz, Congressman for Florida