The Cabanas at the Sanderling Beach Club on February 28, 2019. Photo by Francis Dzikowski.

This morning we received a message from Max Strang - a local architect in Sarasota, Florida - that Paul Rudolph’s 1952 Sanderling Beach Club cabanas were completely destroyed overnight by Hurricane Helene.

This story is developing and we will share more details as they are received.

The structures were designed by Paul Rudolph from 1952-1953. More information about the project, including drawings and photos taken before the storm can be found on our project page here.

Sarasota has faced significant storms in the past, including Hurricane Ian exactly two years ago today. In 1966, the pavilion roof of Rudolph’s Umbrella Residence was blown off the house by winds from nearby Hurricane Alma. It was eventually rebuilt in 2011.

We wish everyone to stay safe and have spoken to friends at Architecture Sarasota who will be sharing news as more is learned about damage from the storm.

Some of Rudolph’s notable structures in the area threatened by Hurricane Helene are the following:

1948 Lamolithic Residence

1948 Revere Quality House

1949 Bennett Residence

1950 Healy Guest House

1952 Hook Guest House

1953 Cohen Residence

1953 Umbrella Residence

1956 Burkhardt Residence

1956 Deering Residence

1957 Harkavy Residence

You can click through the images above to learn more about each project.

By Wednesday night or Thursday morning, the National Weather Service projects that Ian will hit Manatee County, just north of Sarasota. Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Casey Key and Anna Maria are facing mandatory evacuations, restricted entry, and water will be shut off to prevent damage to the county's water system infrastructure.

According to the local Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota County called for evacuations starting yesterday. All residents in evacuation zones A and B (red and orange areas below) are under a mandatory evacuation, which includes anyone living in a mobile home. Residents living in evacuation zone C are strongly recommended to evacuate.

Evacuation centers are opening, including one at the new Riverview High School which replaced Rudolph’s original 1957 building that was demolished in 2009.

Sarasota has faced significant storms in the past, but the last hurricane to directly hit the region was Category 3 Hurricane Donna in 1960. In 1966, the pavilion roof of Rudolph’s Umbrella Residence was blown off the house by winds from nearby Hurricane Alma. It was eventually rebuilt in 2011.

We wish everyone to stay safe and have spoken to friends in the area about the ongoing situation.

Some of Rudolph’s notable structures in the area threatened by Hurricane Ian are the following: