Seaside Pavilions are Unique Gateways to Beach Bliss

If you’ve ever driven down Scenic 30A through Seaside, then chances are you've seen one or more of the Seaside pavilions on the Gulf.

They are beautiful and enticing. They may be the most photographed architecture in South Walton, and they are also quite significant to SoWal’s history and architectural story. The nine pavilions help make our community stand out from other beach destinations, and each structure is unique in appearance and designed by a different architect.

Seaside town founder Robert Davis was at the forefront of “new urbanism” - a style which became the blueprint for many of South Walton’s communities that followed. The pavilions were carefully designed and constructed, and were an integral part of the formation of our world-famous beach town. Most anchor each of the main streets leading to the beach and stand as beautiful and practical gateways, with the dual purpose of protecting the dune system.

Davis desired to create a true residential plan where people could live simply, communing outdoors and connecting to the beach. The pavilions were planned to be open gateways to the beach - gathering spots to take in the view and chat with other folks. The goals were achieved and the pavilions have become distinctive landmarks that represent Seaside in grand fashion.

Each pavilion features its own unique design and reflects the individual vision of the architect commissioned to produce it. From Roger Ferri’s play on “stick” architecture with the Odessa Pavilion to Tony Atkin’s rotunda-styled Pensacola Pavilion topped with a pelican weather vane, the Seaside pavilions are as much a part of Scenic 30A as the pastel homes and sugar-white sands.

Note: each pavilion at Seaside is owned by homeowners and access has been restricted by locked gates.
 

West Ruskin Pavilion – Michael McDonough
This pavilion offers an intimate, almost meditative approach to the beach for the residents and their guests of West Ruskin Street. Its classical detailing and symmetrical form create a quiet rhythm, allowing light and shadow to guide the eye toward the Gulf. It stands as a beautiful example of how architecture can elevate even the simplest passage to the sea.

Pensacola Pavilion – Tony Atkin
Krier, one of Seaside’s original town planners, brought classical European influence to this Gulf-front gem. The Pensacola Pavilion offers residents of Pensacola Street a stately, symmetrical gateway to the beach, one that reflects the order and tradition that runs through Seaside’s master plan.

Odessa Pavilion – Roger Ferri
A refined study in symmetry, Odessa Pavilion takes inspiration from Greek temples with its classical columns and timeless structure. Its elegant form and rhythmic lines contribute to the cohesive beauty of Seaside’s Gulf-front design.

Natchez Pavilion – Jersey Devils
Distinctively rustic and playful, the Natchez Pavilion is made of natural materials and shaped by hand. Crafted from natural materials, it’s playful and unpolished in the best way. Designed by Jersey Devil Architects Steve Badanes and James Adamson, it features wave-shaped platforms and captures the rhythm of the ocean in every curve. Reserved for residents of Natchez Street, this pavilion proves that not all beauty is buttoned-up – sometimes, it’s perfectly windswept.

Tupelo Pavilion – Ernesto Buch
Simple, warm, and quietly integrated into its surroundings, Tupelo Pavilion reflects the understated charm of its street. Designed with natural materials and an unpretentious structure, it serves residents of Tupelo Street with a humble but thoughtful beach entry. Its breezy, wood-framed design is as timeless as it is functional.

Savanah Pavilion – Thomas Crist
One of the more decorative pavilions, Savannah is adorned with latticework and pergola-style detailing that creates beautiful patterns of filtered light. The pavilion is a perfect marriage of romance and refinement, an architectural moment that feels dreamy and distinctly coastal.

East Ruskin Pavilion – Stuart Cohen
The East Ruskin Pavilion is a modern marvel, an angular, geometric structure that feels like a sculpture rising from the dunes. Its design plays with shadow and light, form and negative space. It’s a favorite among architecture buffs and sunset photographers alike.

Coleman Pavilion – David Coleman
With its striking obelisk shape rising from the dunes, the Coleman Pavilion is one of Seaside’s most iconic structures, and the town’s central beach access point for locals and visitors alike. Serving as the heart of beachfront activity, this pavilion is home to Cabana Man beach services, offering chairs, umbrellas, and everything needed for a perfect day by the water and aprés beach experiences like bonfires and more with CC. BOONE. Its structure invites community gatherings, photos, proposals, and sunset watchers alike. The pavilion’s strength lies in its simplicity, clean lines, symmetry, and a wide-open view.

Seaside Pavilion - Steven Holl
With its striking minimalist design and open-air form, the Seaside Pavilion, designed by Eric Watson, stands as one of the town’s most architecturally significant and beloved public spaces. Positioned along the Gulf-front at the end of Seaside Avenue, the pavilion creates a quiet, sculptural moment where the town meets the sea. Though it doesn’t lead directly onto the sand, it has become a central hub for community life, serving as the starting point for Seaside’s morning yoga classes and a favorite spot to unwind in the evenings. Guests often gather here with al fresco drinks and bites from Pickle’s Sandbar, settling in for the show that is a Seaside sunset. Its thoughtful design doesn’t demand attention – it simply enhances everything around it.

Pavilion descriptions by Madison Spence for The Seaside Times

Each street has an association which owns the respective pavilion (the wedding pavilion and Coleman pavilion are not at the end of a street and are owned by the Seaside Development Corporation).