It’s final act was to disappear.
Demolition is finally underway at the Magic Beach Motel, an iconic 1951 landmark that had long symbolized Vilano Beach’s offbeat allure.
The whimsical motor-lodge-style property opened in the early 1950s, featuring pastel colors, retro signage, and architectural details typical of Florida coastal motels of the era.
Over the decades, it became a local fixture, hosting generations of visitors and contributing to the town’s distinctive — and rapidly evolving — character.
The property has also served as a filming location for multiple productions, most recently appearing in the 2024 Netflix series 3 Body Problem.
Perhaps most famously, its neon-illuminated exterior caught the eye of television producers as the perfect backdrop for Safe Harbor, a WB Network show starring Rue McLanahan.
The series lasted 10 episodes before being canceled.
Set in the fictional Florida town of Magic Beach, the program centered on a widowed sheriff, played by Gregory Harrison, and his eccentric motel-owning mother, portrayed by McLanahan.
Over time, the building gradually deteriorated, leaving portions of the structure unsafe and in disrepair, according to the current owners.
Preservationists sought to save it, but state law compelled the demolition.
Because the property lies partially seaward of the state’s Coastal Construction Control Line, its demolition falls under the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act.
The law limits the ability of local governments to restrict or deny demolition permits for coastal structures.
The motel closed six months ago, ending more than 70 years of operation.
Once cleared, the property’s owners plan a new mixed-use development featuring condos and retail.
