by Kimberly Stanley, Seaside Institute™
The Seaside Prize™ is an annual event that celebrates the trailblazers who have dedicated their careers to reshaping communities through innovative design and creative planning by using the principles of New Urbanism. This year’s 30th celebration, February 2-4, extended its embrace to include the sister towns of Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, making it an extra special occasion. The weekend filled with symposia, town tours, and an awards ceremony brought together a diverse ensemble of innovators, architects, urban planners, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate progress and gain inspiration for the future.
Commencing in Rosemary Beach, attendees took a stroll through SOWAL house while sipping on a signature cocktail, sponsored by Distillery 98 and Odd Pelican Brewing Co., before touring the town. Andrés Duany, one of New Urbanism’s original visionaries, was on hand to lead the tour and speak about specific elements of design integral to the function and aesthetics of the town. The evening unfolded with a reception at The Pearl, followed by a keynote address in Rosemary Beach Town Hall by Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk with DPZ CoDesign.
Saturday’s festivities took place in Seaside® with a host of notable speakers for a day filled with symposia on topics ranging from historical preservation to sustainable urban development. Symposia speakers were Bernice Radle (Buffalove Development, Allan Branch (Panama City entrepreneur), Dr. Philip Stoddard (former mayor of South Miami), John Simmerman (Active Towns podcast), John Massengale (former Seaside® town architect), Victor Dover, and Joe Kohl (of Dover, Kohl, and Partners). These discussions ignited the imagination, offering innovative solutions to contemporary and often difficult challenges.
Attendees embarked on guided walking tours of the town, led by Robert Davis, Micah Davis, and Larry Davis. They gained firsthand knowledge of the town’s architectural and cultural richness. The afternoon also provided an opportunity to procure signed books by Daryl Davis (The Seaside Style), Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk (The New Civic Art and Suburban Nation), John Massengale and Victor Dover (Street Design coauthors).
The pinnacle of the weekend arrived with the Awards Ceremony in the serene setting of the Seaside® Chapel, where Victor Dover and Joe Kohl were lauded for their exemplary contributions, particularly their leadership in revitalizing Panama City post-Hurricane Michael. Robert Davis, Seaside® Town Founder, presented each recipient with a symbolic key to the town, a token of appreciation for their enduring impact. Each key was housed in a handcrafted wooden box made by E.F. San Juan. The evening celebration ended with a dinner hosted by Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Dining.
Sunday’s celebration began with a leisurely brunch at Caliza to commemorate Alys Beach’s 20th Anniversary before Marieanne Khoury-Vogt led a guided tour of the town. Anne Hunter hosted an Escape to Create Exhibit in Seaside® afterward, marking the end of a captivating weekend.
Beyond the revelry, the Seaside Prize™ serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who dare to envision a brighter future for our urban landscapes. By upholding the tenets of New Urbanism, this annual celebration encourages us all to strive for inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant communities. It also allows us to reflect on how the built environment shapes our world as we know it.
Author: Sowal Editor
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