Frances-Carlton Apartments, Sarasota

The Frances-Carlton Apartments, completed in 1924, remain one of Sarasota鈥檚 most refined examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture from the city鈥檚 Jazz Age boom. Designed by Tampa architect Francis James in collaboration with Sarasota鈥檚 own Alex Browning, the building was conceived as furnished rental apartments for well-to-do northerners seeking winter refuge. Its vintage wrought-iron gate still bears the original name, 鈥淔rances Carlton Apartments,鈥� evoking the glamour of the Roaring Twenties when Sarasota was just beginning to emerge as a cosmopolitan coastal retreat.

Architecturally, the Frances-Carlton stands out for its stucco walls, arched openings, and red barrel-tile roof. The design draws on Spanish-Moresque and Italian villa influences, with the 1924 press describing it as 鈥渞esembling the ancient hostelry of the Pyrenees along the Spanish border of southern France.鈥� The three-story, twenty-unit structure features a U-shaped plan with four interconnected blocks and stairway 鈥渉yphens,鈥� giving every apartment windows on multiple sides鈥攁n ingenious design for cross-ventilation before the age of air conditioning. The third-floor observatory, topped with a small mirador, adds a touch of Mediterranean romance to the skyline.

Located on Palm Avenue鈥擲arasota鈥檚 historic boulevard lined with boutiques, galleries, and theaters鈥攖he Frances-Carlton sits at the cultural heart of downtown. Its neighbors include acclaimed restaurants like Sage and Cas鈥橝ntica, both housed in similar 1920s landmarks, while the Sarasota Opera House and Florida Studio Theatre are just steps away.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, the Frances-Carlton Condominium remains a prized residence鈥攁 perfect blend of Jazz Age heritage and enduring coastal sophistication.

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Sight Name: Frances-Carlton Apartments
Sight Location: Sarasota, USA (See walking tours in Sarasota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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