"The Surf is coming down because it costs too much to upgrade the ailing building, whose space-age, 1950s furniture has never been replaced and whose mid century look was featured in Architectural Digest. A 30-unit hotel-condo is planned to rise in its place. Each unit could cost near $400,000, as opposed to The Surf's rents of $66 a night." - St. Petersburg Times
The Surf Motel closed on Sunday April 18, 2004. I remember reading about the controversy surrounding its demise online, there was even a website created to encourage support for the Surf. The New York Times reported the story, yet the Surf was demolished and a new condo created.
Built in 1956, the Surf was among a number of Googie Motels on Treasure Island near St. Pete Beach. It had been some time since I had visited this small Pinellas County community, and I was eager to see what had survived since the Surf's demise. I felt a huge sense of relief when I saw the towering monolith of the Thunderbird Motel. The T-Bird must be one of the best neon signs in all of Florida and it appears little changed from its mid-century glory days. Nearby other mom-and-pop beach cottages, motels and apartments appear to be hanging in there.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_cHg-CNUDI/Tso4ul172dI/AAAAAAAAGqA/QD2RBCZ2b6w/s400/Tbird.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEouqftcfQo/Tso4vJip8cI/AAAAAAAAGqM/rwav4APilz8/s400/Tbird2.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tL6mFFT96Y/Tso4uc5s1iI/AAAAAAAAGp0/ufA7sO7hcIk/s400/Sunny.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XLPblrwnGw/Tso4fA1i8oI/AAAAAAAAGpU/t1VCEwHx8CI/s400/Bilmar.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYhtoS97Kag/Tso4ezBnb9I/AAAAAAAAGpA/E-Ekkt7p1cA/s400/beachhouse2.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWVmcB30olw/TsoxlMhHIgI/AAAAAAAAGoU/ZIhL3Uw812Y/s400/Beach%2BHouse.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hG2o2Ycig7g/Tso4ehSn3rI/AAAAAAAAGo4/eHB0ple_DBo/s400/arvilla.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk7VQH2vQFE/Tso4gmX0qsI/AAAAAAAAGpo/sE5UY8LwRwc/s400/SeaJaysign2.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQQfHM6cZ_s/TsoxlwOUdiI/AAAAAAAAGow/PmkezRvkSGk/s400/SeaJay.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_KlAZTfBmU/Tso424HzwPI/AAAAAAAAGqY/g5DR2AuE220/s400/falmingo2.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvSZQCTPqEU/TsoxlTn-HjI/AAAAAAAAGog/rmz4GYkoFcM/s400/flamingo.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3vvh7x7RAo/Tso4gSKCTiI/AAAAAAAAGpc/GITFDQl92tQ/s400/SeaJayshuffle.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0fU36gFycg/TsuXWCIVbpI/AAAAAAAAGrU/G4Ur3_bo6FQ/s400/Sea%2BJay_agave.jpg)
Love these photos. St. Pete is an absolute treasure trove for mid-century greatness. You might have an interest in my vintage sign photography including some from that area. I have more from around there I still need to post, though.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.recapturist.com
Fun stuff- looks like you need more Florida signs!
ReplyDeleteLove the Sea-Jay ! Stayed there a couple times in the late 80’s. It remember the owners being German and their son’s name was Peter.
ReplyDelete