Seaside beach, Florida made a giant splash in the architectural world when developer Robert Davis carved out a modern Victorian town with narrow streets, picket fences and homes arranged close together to encourage walking-and neighborliness. This award winning community was conceived, planned and developed by Robert and Daryl Davis, (Robert Davis inherited the 80 acres of property in the 1970?s) their dream was to create a pedestrian-friendly, community of cottages with picket fences and elevated porches to watch the sun set on the Gulf.

It was the first of its kind, creating the model for towns across America. Seaside's "walk-to-anywhere" design is working to bring necessary shops and services to its residents and guests, including a post office and a school. Seaside's centerpiece contains the market, art galleries, a florist, an ice cream store, a post office, and other small boutiques. You will find many artists-in-residence at galleries lining Ruskin Place. Although many of the homes can be rented on a daily or weekly basis, Seaside also offers a motor court and bed and breakfast. Park your car and rent bicycles to explore this wildly successful pioneering town, featured in the 1997 motion picture "The Truman Show."

Seaside is the cultural and commercial center along Scenic Highway 30-A. Since its grand beginning, it has attracted world-wide attention. Time magazine quoted it as "the most astounding design achievement of its era." It has won many prestigious architectural awards over the years.

The town center was inspired by the squares you?ll find in cities like Charleston, Florence, Italy and Savannah. The Central Square is where you?ll find shops and restaurants with no building more than 3 or 4 stories tall. Ruskin Place, named after John Ruskin, the famous supporter of Victorian Art in London?s 19th century, is considered to be the "artist colony" of Seaside. Here you will find art galleries, a coffee shop and an interior design shop.

The New Urbanism, an architectural movement born with the creation of Seaside has played an important role contributing to today?s awareness in the designing and planning of the traditional town.