Board approves storefront refresh, awnings and paint scheme at 136–138 St. George Street

The Historic Architecture Review Board on Aug. 21 approved work to refresh the storefronts at 136, 138 and 138A St. George Street, including repair of stucco, two new awnings, new entrance doors and a plan to replace deteriorated aluminum storefront framing with painted wood stops or painted aluminum when appropriate.

The board voted to approve the application as shown, with the awnings, lighting and details depicted in the applicant drawings. The center bay will receive a terracotta-painted wood door and wood-trimmed fixed show windows; the north bay will receive a blue-painted wood door; the south bay will remain as-is for now but the applicant has conditional approval to replace that door with a wood door in the future. The board also approved the applicant’s request to paint existing aluminum storefront trim to match the approved colors rather than requiring immediate replacement across the entire building.

Why it matters: The two-storefront block faces St. George Street within the St. Augustine National Register Historic District. The work is intended to stabilize failing glazing and storefront framing, make smaller-scale commercial spaces more marketable to tenants, and bring a consistent rhythm and paint palette to the building’s St. George elevation.

What the board discussed: City staff summarized the building’s history and noted that the structure contributes to the district. Applicants presented elevation sketches and material samples, showing mixed approaches — leaving some existing aluminum framed storefronts covered by wood stops, installing new wood doors where tenants are renovating, and installing striped or solid fabric awnings. Board members focused on achieving a continuous “reading” of the façade along the street, minimizing visibility of modern mill-finish aluminum storefronts, and ensuring details and paint colors were compatible with the period suggestions in the city’s palette.

Board direction and conditions: The board approved the work as presented, subject to the following conditions captured in the motion: use the awning and lighting designs shown in the submitted drawings; install the center storefront with wood jambs and a terracotta-painted wood door and the north storefront with a painted blue wood door; allow the applicant to paint the aluminum elements on the south portion to match the approved colors if they choose to delay the wood conversion; the south storefront is permitted, but not required, to be replaced with a wood door at a later date; staff may administratively approve future phase-matching awning and paint colors if they conform to the colors shown on the approved drawing set. The board also asked the applicant to preserve the view and profile of the small, mid‑century storefront components where feasible.

Outcome and vote: The motion carried on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes. The board instructed staff to record the approved colors and to allow the applicant to administratively implement phased work on the sides not immediately renovated.

What’s next: The applicant will proceed with the approved scope. Future, narrower COA or administrative approvals are expected if the remaining metal storefronts are painted or later converted to wood on a phased schedule.