VILANO BEACH, Fla. – The process to reduce the once vibrant staple known as the Magic Beach Motel to rubble has begun in St. Johns County.
Construction crews were spotted on the site to start bringing down the 74-year-old building that closed in September.
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St. Johns County issued a demolition permit in August to clear the property for new development, despite efforts by locals to save the historic motel that had been standing since 1951.
The motel, once known as the Blue Ocean Motel, gained its current name from the 1990s television show “Safe Harbor,” which featured Golden Girls actress Rue McClanahan. More recently, it appeared in the Netflix series “3 Body Problem.”
The developer plans to replace the motel with condominiums and retail space.
Some elements of the motel will be preserved and incorporated into the new development, including the iconic sign, flamingos, and murals from inside the rooms.