Art Ovation Hotel

Instead of designing to maximize buildable square footage, the architect reduced density and height to respect the hotel’s position within the neighborhood’s scale. The streets align with the updated wide sidewalks complemented by expansive curving canopies and landscaping for additional shade. The open areas created by these elements serve as ideal outdoor gathering spaces for daily pedestrians and large community events. Surrounding traffic flow was also considered and improved.

Keeping both local residents and visiting travelers in mind, Art Ovation aims to make transportation as easy as possible with a range of options upon arrival including walking, cycling, and public transit. The number of on-site code-required parking spaces were minimized and moved to the backside. Natural daylighting, energy-efficient windows, low-flow plumbing, and Florida-friendly landscaping was used. Rooftop rainwater is collected into a 100,000-gallon subterranean cistern.

Skybridge

Connecting to the garage, a free-form skybridge covers guests as they walk from their parked cars; its form, an abstract nod to the neighboring Sarasota School of Architecture building. The public parking access point is now framed by the skybridge as a “gateway” into the theatre district and a portal to the public parking garage.

Vision and History

The Art Ovation Hotel was completed in 2018 but the vision for this project began with the architect designing the adjacent parking garage nearly a decade prior. The City of Sarasota originally constructed the Palm Avenue Garage to incentivize a hotel on the adjacent property. At the time, there were no hotels in the urban core, and hotel developers insisted that travelers only came to Sarasota for the beaches and a new downtown hotel wouldn’t attract guests. The garage was completed during the Great Recession, but the hotel site would remain undeveloped for many years.

Sustainability

Sustainability was a key component in the design and construction of Art Ovation Hotel. The path of the sun was studied to bring natural daylighting into rooms, hallways, and the main lobby. A well-insulated building envelope is achieved with R-30 exterior walls and R-40 ceiling, also increasing sound absorption. Energy efficient windows and doors were installed. Low flow plumbing fixtures save water. Rainwater is collected from the rooftop ‘urban park’ and directed into a 100,000-gallon subterranean water cistern located beneath the skybridge. Low VOC paints, sealants and finishes were specified. The Florida friendly landscape features native plant species and drought tolerant plants. Bikes are provided to hotel guests and encourage an alternative to cars. Positioned within the city center, public parks and transportation are within walking distance.

 The result is a true reflection of the Sarasota experience, embracing art and connecting travelers to the local community.