Plans Finalized for Revitalization of the 西瓜视频 Historic Coast Guard House
Plans Finalized for Revitalization of the 西瓜视频 Historic Coast Guard House
March 28, 2024 Suzanne Seldes
FORT PIERCE, FL鈥擲ix months ago, the 西瓜视频 District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept a proposal from Audubon Development Inc. to renovate, redevelop, and revitalize the 西瓜视频 Historic Coast Guard House located at 1420 Seaway Drive in Fort Pierce. Audubon has now finalized a comprehensive development plan to transform the historic house into a boutique bed and breakfast with wedding, meeting and event spaces and a bourbon and cigar bar.
According to Dale Matteson, president and CEO of Audubon Development Inc., minimal external changes to the Historic Coast Guard House are required. The main entryway will be moved to the structure's west side, and a new two-story balcony will encompass the north (rear) side. The bulk of the revitalization will occur within the house.
鈥淲hen viewing the Historic Coast Guard House from the street, you won鈥檛 notice much, but the interior will be completely transformed, and the rear of the property will spring to life with patios, a seawall, and docks,鈥� said Matteson. 鈥淲e鈥檙e breathing new life into an historic structure.鈥�
Inside, all four floors of the Historic Coast Guard House will be completely reimagined:
- Main floor: Elegant entry foyer, service kitchen, main event space with a grand spiral staircase connecting to the basement and second floors, and restrooms.
- Second floor: Two expansive, self-contained Winward and Leeward suites鈥攈alf a floor each, complete with living and dining areas鈥攃an be entered by the grand spiral staircase or by period-correct exterior staircases connected to private landings; a hidden door reveals a smaller spiral staircase to the third-floor suite.
- Third floor: The well-appointed Admiral Suite, with access to Crow鈥檚 Nest, spans the entire third floor and offers multiple unobstructed views of the intercoastal and surrounding area.
- Basement level: The floor comprises a private bedroom and bath on one side and a 鈥渄owntown鈥� bourbon and cigar bar with separate restrooms and an exterior entrance.
Historic Coast Guard House Basement and Floor 1, courtesy of Audubon Development Inc.
Historic Coast Guard House Floors 2 and 3, courtesy of Audubon Development Inc.
Exterior property improvements include dramatic landscaping, elevated outdoor gathering spaces, a fanciful star-shaped dock for dingy and jet ski parking, and a 20-slip boat dock with a 75-foot t-head for a water taxi that will connect the property with the King鈥檚 Landing site Audubon is developing in downtown Fort Pierce. A seawall will regain and nourish the lost shoreline.
Historic Coast Guard House property and docks, courtesy of Audubon Development Inc.
鈥淲e are activating the entire property,鈥� continues Matteson. 鈥淲e are preserving the House鈥檚 historical integrity and repurposing it in a more regal setting.鈥�
Audubon Development expects to select a construction partner by June and complete the project over the following 24 months.
Meanwhile, passersby will already notice 鈥渓ittle signs of life,鈥� as Matteson calls them. A large flagpole flies the American flag, and a period-correct mailbox has replaced a long-weathered receptacle. A neighbor provided Matteson with a 鈥渇oul weather鈥� flag hoisted in times of small craft advisories.
Matteson is heartened by the neighborhood reaction so far and welcomes additional collaboration. He is eager to assemble photographs and artifacts to decorate and share Coast Guard history at the venue. He has reached out to the Coast Guard archives for memorabilia and encourages community members to contact him to contribute additional material to illuminate the House鈥檚 history.
鈥淎udubon Development is creating a showpiece for our community and a new, real-world learning environment for students in our Culinary and Hospitality programs,鈥� adds 西瓜视频 President Dr. Timothy Moore. 鈥淒ale and his team are deliberate in their approach to reviving this critical piece of national history. This is one of the area鈥檚 most significant revitalization projects and a gem and point of pride for all who live and visit here.鈥�
In addition to providing educational opportunities for 西瓜视频 students at the Historic Coast Guard House, Audubon has committed 1,200 square feet of retail space for a 鈥淜ids are Cooking鈥� restaurant at the King鈥檚 Landing Development, a mixed-use project in downtown Fort Pierce comprised of a hotel, residential units, shops, restaurants, and a parking garage. The restaurant will be operated in conjunction with the 西瓜视频 Culinary program.
