The Magic Beach Motel, a fixture of the Vilano Beach community, is currently embroiled in a contentious battle over its future existence. Developer Rick Johnston, who has his sights set on demolishing the motel to make way for a mixed-use condo and retail space, has faced pushback from the St. Johns County Cultural Resources Review Board. The board unanimously voted on Monday to defer the decision for the demolition permit, citing a need for more concrete evidence before proceeding. "Board member Blair Knighting says county leaders wanted more evidence than 'we're just going to tear it down and save some elements' before the board moves forward," reported Action News Jax.
Amid the controversy surrounding the motel, Johnston's related project, the Colonia condominiums that are to rise on a nearby parcel, has reportedly drawn scrutiny for environmental noncompliance. The site, located behind the motel, was cleared of vegetation, including cabbage palms, without a proper permit, as earlier reported by First Coast News. Public documents indicate that the property had been "cleared" and "15 cabbage palm stumps were located", leading to The Beach at Vilano, LLC, which is associated with Johnston, being fined.
While some community members view the Magic Beach Motel as a unique emblem of the area, others see it as an outdated building in need of replacement. "You can go into other places, and everything is brand new. They almost all look the same. But Magic Beach is special," said Keith Willard in a public comment cited by Action News Jax. Conversely, Linda Lacerva commented at the meeting, "It doesn’t make any money, and it’s in disrepair. It needs to have an upgrade."
Despite the motel's age and the developer's claim that it can't be salvaged for their intended use, the building has been recognized for its cultural significance at the local level, having even featured in television shows. Architect Mike Koppenhafer acknowledges the building's "charming elements" but agrees with Johnston that the motel is ultimately not worth preserving, as Jacksonville Today reported.
The fate of the Magic Beach Motel remains undetermined as the Cultural Resources Review Board continues to weigh the structure's cultural value against the claims of economic impracticality and structural unsuitability presented by the developer. Johnston, who remains poised to transform the property should he gain approval, has yet to satisfy the board's call for more detailed plans regarding the preservation of the motel's significant elements.
