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SEASIDE Begins Work on New Post Office Plaza
Seaside, Florida, announced it is in the process of creating a new home for its iconic Post Office. The transition is part of the original vision of SEASIDE founders, Robert and Daryl Davis. Located at the southern end of Seaside…
Updated On Nov 29, 2017 at 7:33 PM
Seaside, Florida, announced it is in the process of creating a new home for its iconic Post Office. The transition is part of the original vision of SEASIDE founders, Robert and Daryl Davis.
Located at the southern end of Seaside Avenue, a new plaza will house the Seaside Post Office as well as seven new public restrooms and additional bike parking.
“The plaza is the first project leading to the future construction of the Krier Tower,” said George Calvi, Seaside Director of Development. “The project will take about six months to complete.”
“There will be four vernacular bathrooms contrasted by three infill platonic shaped structures – a play between the classical and romantic,” said architect and urbanist Dhiru Thadani. “The three pristine objects are handicap accessible restrooms. The plaza is planted with 22 stunning Medjool palm trees the same height as the ones around the Seaside Amphitheater.”
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Thadani said additional parking will also be created in the front and rear of the new plaza, with short-term parking reserved for Post Office customers.
The Krier Tower – an architectural landmark designed by renowned architect and urban designer Léon Krier – is one of several more planned projects that will help shape Seaside’s long-term vision.
“As an admirer of Leon Krier, it has long been my dream to bring to fruition the Krier Tower planned for Seaside’s town center, as well as creating a worthy civic space for the Post Office,” said Robert Davis.
As noted in Thadani’s book, Visions of Seaside, the idea for the iconic tower was included in the original plans for Seaside. The Post Office Plaza is the first phase in the realization of that dream.
“Seaside’s urban spaces and civic buildings have provided gathering places that draw people to our community to learn, create and experience small town urbanity as well as life at the beach,” said Davis. “The Post Office Plaza will enhance the experience of visitors and residents by creating a pedestrian park on one of the three axes leading from Seaside’s Central Square. And, by freeing up space for the Krier Tower, the long-term vision for Seaside’s downtown will take one more step toward realization.”
Author, Architect + Urban Designer Dhiru Thadani speaks about the history of Seaside – New Town, Old Ways, New Urbanism and how seemingly innocuous decisions made decades ago have dramatically altered the way we live today: