Wildewood Springs, Pineneedle Village.
Sunday morning gathering, October 23, 2016.
This is a copy of information I gathered to share with my neighbors with the intent of encouraging maintenance and preservation of the architectural integrity of Wildewood Springs IIA. I read the following out loud at a Board Meeting on October 25, 2016:
My husband and I chose Wildewood
IIA because of its oak grove habitat and the architecture. Our
structure was designed by a celebrated founder of the Sarasota School of Architecture, Edward J. (Tim) Seibert. Tim and the late Paul Neal and Paul's son
Pat collaborated to build Wildewood Springs in the late 70s and early 80s.
Something that seemed
particularly important about this development is that it was not intended as
high-end; rather, it is an example of an aesthetically beautiful structure designed with sensitivity to its natural surroundings for the middle class.
In the way that forty years ago Paul Neal chose not to clear-cut this live oak grove and Seibert
designed a structure to honor the habitat, I feel a responsibility to honor and
preserve it.
I wondered if you, my Wildewood neighbors, were aware of the undiscovered jewel we reside, and if you wanted to honor the architectural integrity.
I wondered if the Board would be interested in pausing to gather information from an architect familiar with the Sarasota School/Sarasota Modern to make more careful, informed decisions.
As a first step to learn more, I asked a few professionals for opinions about the aesthetic and
economic architectural value of Wildewood IIA which I hoped would encourage us to begin to learn together.
These are the responses I
received.
Paul Neal and I
worked closely on this project over several years. We took great care to
locate and inventory the trees on the property and to design the unit groupings
in intimate clusters around the natural landscape. You might say this was
a pioneering example of “environmentally sensitive and sustainable” land use in
what was a moderately priced, high-density condominium project. It was
certainly unique when compared to other Florida condominium projects of that
era. Developers of time were rarely known for their attention to design
or sensitive land use. The design represents the logical evolution of the
Sarasota School of Architecture, which embodied clarity of concept, purity of geometrical forms and sensitivity to the
environment. I further developed the concept in the award winning
Bayport Project on Longboat Key and 222 Beach Road on Siesta Key.
I briefly looked over
the Historic Landmark Designation Amendment you sent a link to. Under
“Criteria”, one could say the project has “integrity” in the two criteria
of design and setting. Wildwood might also be eligible as a
“district” for its distinctive architectural characteristics under Criteria
D. It would be worth exploring with the County. Certainly in the
future it may be eligible because of age. In any event, it would be
prudent to preserve the architectural integrity of the original design, if not
for the potential tax benefits, then for future resale.
I believe Sam Holladay has done some research on replacement louver windows for Bay Plaza and
may have some useful information. He can offer guidance on maintaining
the original design integrity.
Please let me know if
I can be of further assistance,
Best regards,
TIM
SAF strongly supports any plan to
maintain and restore the integrity of the original design of Wildewood Springs.
Christopher
Wilson, BArch, MA, PhD
Teaches architecture design and history
at Ringling College of Art and Design
Christopher walked
around Pineneedle, Wildewood IIA. He said, “There are a few
things you can do right now that will immediately honor Seibert’s design—change
the address numbers (he said he could suggest a few options), maintain the
Seibert louvered windows facing and visible from the parking lot, replace the
early 18th century lamp-post top piece with an architecturally appropriate top,
and choose and uniformly install one architecturally compatible wall light
selection.”
Marty Lieberman
Sotheby Realtor and
unit owner, Springdale Village
I purchased my home
(a villa in Springdale Village) in Wildewood Springs September of 2012 because
it was designed by Seibert Architects. I specialize in listing and selling
architectural properties, (see www.modernsarasota.com) and was attracted to
Wildewood for its beautiful architecture, nestled into a lush, jungle
environment. I have sold a number of Wildewood condos to friends who purchased
because they desired architecture and asked me - "where do YOU live?"
- and when they saw Wildewood, they found it to be exactly what they wanted,
too.
I polished my concrete floors, painted the interior, installed tract lighting
in all the main rooms, and moved in. Shortly afterward, writer Chris Angerman,
Sarasota Herald Tribune "Market Snapshot" came to see my unit and
learn about Wildewood Springs. His article for Herald Tribune (with photos by
Harold Bubil) can be found HERE: http://realestate.heraldtribune.com/2013/04/12/market-snapshot-wildewood-springs-bradenton/
To me, Wildewood Springs would look bare and plain without the exterior
louvered coverings. I see these louvers on many Seibert-designed properties in
Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Longboat. The louvered window coverings are kept up
and considered an important part of their properties' exterior beauty. They
also have utility, as the louvered coverings protect the windows from strong
winds and harsh sunlight. Mine are in good shape and work properly, providing
just the right amount of light, shade and privacy. They are an important part
of the architectural integrity of our property. Please encourage
Wildewood's board of directors to keep them and continue to maintain them,
along with all the other exterior features of the property. Architectural
integrity increases property values.
Without
information and resources, architectural integrity can erode over
time, bit-by-bit, unless owners become aware of compatible, appropriate
choices.
On September 19th, the County Commission enacted a law called the Historic Landmark Amendment that entitles the owner of a historic property to get a tax exemption for 10 years on the value of the improvements made to that property to maintain it. I asked Lorrie if and how this law might help owners of property in Wildewood IIA. She responds:
The property would need to be historically designated to be eligible for the exemption and the exemption would apply only to increased valuation related to a project. I am assuming the Manatee county program will be similar to the Sarasota county program since they are both based upon state enabling legislation though there can be differences in interpretation.
I think your first consideration would be to determine if the building would be eligible for historic designation—this is based upon the age, significance and integrity of the building. You might want to start with your preservation planner in the county and ask if there are strict age limitations associated with the historic designation program, many but not all require that buildings are 50 years old or older unless they are exceptionally important which could be the case with this Tim Seibert building.
MY HOPE AND REQUEST
My hope is that the
Board will consider and implement a plan to maintain and preserve the
architectural integrity of Wildewood IIA:
- educate owners about
the significance of the architecture
- find a way to assist
owners, when needed, in maintaining and repairing the louvered windows that
face the parking area
- ask Seibert
Architects (or an architect professional) for counsel to select address numbers, front door and screen door options that
residents may use for replacement; consider inviting owners to vote on one option from the architect's selection.
- ask Seibert Architects (or an architect professional)
for counsel to choose architecturally appropriate lights— wall, and a post-lamp
top piece, and make a plan to pay for these light replacements in Wildewood IIA; consider inviting neighbors to vote on one option from the architect's selection.
- consider the possibility of WWIIA's Association taking on an annual maintenance of the louvered windows facing the parking lot
- clearly communicate specifications
for quality window and door replacement
- bring more
transparency to the process of architectural change
Sam Holladay of Seibert Architects has experience guiding condominium boards in this process.
Several local window and door shops offer maintenance and replacement
parts for the louvered windows.
