The Mira Mar Hotel Offered a Sea View

 In the early 1920s Sarasota was a city on the verge of the great Florida Land Boom. Real estate prices were beginning to inch up and there was excitement in the air that something big was about to happen. Sarasota wanted to become known as "The Vacation Destination of Florida," but lacked proper accommodations. The biggest and best hotel in Sarasota was the Belle Haven Inn, built in 1887, and already more than 30 years old. Sarasota City officials and the Chamber of Commerce came to the conclusion that a new first rate hotel was needed. In 1922, the concept of the hotel came in the form of Chicago industrialist Andrew McAnsh.

Andrew McAnsh was induced to come to Sarasota by W.C. Towles, who had wintered in Sarasota for several years. Towles realized that the city needed a new hotel to replace the Belle Haven Inn. According to Karl Grismer's The Story of Sarasota, Towles persuaded McAnsh that Sarasota would be a good investment. "You Scotsmen put Sarasota on the map - now it is time for you to give it a first-rate hotel, "Towles said to McAnsh, "And, besides, you can make some real money in Sarasota. The people will do almost anything to get a real hotel built." Taking note of the potential investment opportunity, McAnsh returned to Chicago to form the Mira Mar (meaning "sea view") Corporation, and set his plans in motion.

McAnsh came to Sarasota to meet with city officials in 1922 and discussed plans of not only a hotel, but apartments and a natatorium (indoor swimming pool). He purchased several lots on Palm Avenue and October 6, 1922, ground was broken on the site for the Mira Mar Apartments. The Sarasota County Times reported November 2, 1922, that Sarasota City Clerk Jo Gill issued a $200,000 building permit for the construction of the Mira Mar Apartments. At that time it was the largest individual building permit ever issued in Sarasota. McAnsh wanted the apartments ready as soon as possible. To accomplish this task, the W.R. Carven Company of Tampa brought flood lights to the construction site so the crews could work 24 hours a day. The apartments were called a "60-day wonder" and were ready for occupancy on January 1, 1923.

Ever the shrewd businessman, McAnsh wanted certain concessions before he would build a hotel. He met with city officials in March 1923 but could not come to an agreement. The city decided to pass a bond issue for $30,000 to be presented to McAnsh as a bonus for providing a three-story hotel on the water front. McAnsh, quoted in the March 23, 1923 issue of the Sarasota Times, said, "If the progressive citizens of Sarasota want to present this free will offering of $30,000, they can have something that will do more for their city and resort than anything else ever has." By April 1923, the city and McAnsh came to an agreement. McAnsh would build a first-class hotel and the city would not levy property taxes for 10 years and would provide free water and electric power for the same time period.

Work began on the Mira Mar Hotel in July 1923 and was completed in six months. At the same time, the Mira Mar Auditorium was built. McAnsh decided that Sarasota needed an auditorium more than a natatorium. By early 1924, the entire Mira Mar complex was complete. The Mira Mar was Sarasota's premier hotel for the next 20 years. However, by the 1950s, the Mira Mar could no longer compete with the new beach front hotels and a slow decline set in. By the early 1980s, the Mira Mar Hotel, an example of 1920s Mediterranean Revival Style architecture in Sarasota, was closed and was demolished during the winter of 1982-83.