A vision needs a visionary. Someone with the determination to advance an idea beyond its infancy. In Seaside’s case, someone to take what once was seen as merely 80 acres of sand and scrub and turn it into the world’s first New Urbanist town.
Seaside’s visionary is Robert Davis. Born in Birmingham, Ala., Davis inherited the family property from grandfather J.S. Smolian in 1978 and immediately began taking steps to realize his grandfather’s initial dream of turning the property into something special.
Decades later, Seaside offers a thriving town center with shopping and dining, all within walkable distance to homes, cottages, and offices. Consisting of more than 300 homes, the community also offers an abundant assortment of restaurants, shops, and galleries.
Seaside’s many accolades include being featured on the Cooking Channel’s Emeril’s Florida, being named the “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure magazine, and being included in USA Today’s “Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida.” Seaside also served as the primary filming location for the classic movie “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey.
A Brief History of Seaside.
Architecture
Seaside, the first New Urbanist community, was designed to make walking more convenient than driving, with welcoming outdoor spaces that function as outdoor living rooms. Download the Seaside Code.