Located at the intersecting corner of Highway 30A and 395—the “heart” of Seagrove Beach—the “V” Restaurant was the first built phase of the Hotel Viridian project, which was planned to be a mixed-use resort with 20 boutique hotel suites, 10 three-bedroom luxury suites, and two five-bedroom Gulf-front residences, a state-of-the-art spa and wellness center, retail spaces, and parking.

 

Now Named "The Surfing Deer", this restaurant features both indoor and outdoor dining, recessed for natural shading and naturally cooled from a reflecting pool with fountains. The transparency of the building opens up to the street and to the Gulf of Mexico beyond.  The circular bar and artisanal driftwood chandelier can be seen from the road, creating magnificent patterns of shadows and light at night.

 

Because a hotel and rooftop infinity pool were going to be built above the restaurant, the structure needed to be able to accommodate these future plans, as well as being able to withstand the harsh coastal elements of wind, sun, and sand.

​

Eventually, the development team opted to build condominium units over the restaurant instead of a hotel. Check out the Viridian Condominium project to see the final build. 

​

AWARDS

​

Merit Award for New Work

AIA Florida Northwest, 2011