Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Mid-modern architecture in Southwest Florida


 

 

While many of Paul Rudolph’s mid-century modern homes can be found in Sarasota, one of his earliest works, The Walker Guest House, is farther south, on Sanibel Island. The walls of the small structure lift up, giving the tiny home a more spacious feel. The architect had called it one of his favorite Florida homes. It’s on private property, but can be seen from the road on West Gulf Drive.

Other examples of mid-century modern buildings can be seen in Lee County, particularly in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers High School is an early example, as is the former Fort Myers Fire Engine Station No. 1, now for sale.

Cypress Lake Middle School, which was built in 1962, is an example of a building designed pre-air conditioning, with classrooms that spread out from a central open-air corridor.

St. Hilary’s Church on McGregor, built in 1965, received a lot of negative reaction when it was built, with some claiming it looked just like a barn and silo.

St. Ceclia Catholic Church, built in 1966, has curved lines and a simplicity to it.

Numerous examples of mid-century modern workplace buildings exist in and around downtown Fort Myers.

The Lee County Bank Drive-In Facility, built in 1972 and designed by Ray Jansen of Frizzell Architects, is said to be influenced by Paul Rudolph’s work and was claimed then to be “the longest motorbank in the world.”

The nearby downtown Fort Myers United States Post Office is also an example of mid-century modern architecture, as is the Lee County Administration Building, designed in 1960. (Its design was inspired by Mies Van de Rohe’s Seagram Building in New York City.)

The Inter County Telephone and Telegraph Building has been called “not only one of the undiscovered gems of the period (but) one of the most whimsical modern buildings in downtown Fort Myers.”

Naples used to have more examples of mid-century modern architecture, such as an octagonal house and the Centipede House, which was located in the Vanderbilt Beach area. (It was also called the “Lazy M” house because its outline looked like a capital M that couldn’t quite stand up.) However, these buildings and others were torn down by people who didn’t believe in historic preservation.

For photos and more information about these building and others, go to www.mcmo-swfl.com. ¦

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