The Magic Beach Motel is set to disappear.
The quirky mid-century landmark in Vilano Beach at the heart of a preservation fight will be demolished later this year, St. Johns County officials announced Tuesday.
Located at 50 Vilano Road, the motel was constructed in 1951 and deemed a Significant Cultural Resource in 2021 under the county’s Land Development Code.
The property is known for its Art Deco-inspired design, pastel colors and campy neon signage.
The property received a fresh coat of local renown in the late 1990s when it was featured as a filming location in the television drama Safe Harbor, which starred Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan.
However, because the property lies partially seaward of the state’s Coastal Construction Control Line, its demolition falls under the recently enacted Resiliency and Safe Structures Act, officials said.
The state law limits the ability of local governments to restrict or deny demolition permits for coastal structures.
Specifically, it bars counties and cities from preventing the demolition of certain buildings—regardless of local historic designation—unless the structure poses a public safety threat.
“While the County recognizes the Magic Beach Motel’s significance to the Vilano Beach community, it is legally prohibited from denying or conditioning demolition if the requested permit complies with state requirements,” officials said in a statement.
That plan includes documentation, salvaging, and commemoration of the motel’s architectural and cultural elements.
The wrecking ball is expected to swing later this year.
The motel’s distinctive neon sign and retro design have made it a visual icon in the Vilano community, drawing interest from both locals and visitors. However, under the new state law,
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