RPC Project Spotlight: The Saint Restaurant
Explore the revitalization of an iconic landmark and learn more about its vibrant role in preserving and promoting Florida’s historical buildings.
Key takeaways:
- The Saint is the result of the River Restaurant Group’s dedication to bringing a new historic dining experience to St. Augustine.
- RPC General Contractors were hired to build this multi-level project with modernization and respect for historical status as key concerns.
- Original features dating back to the 1700s have now been incorporated into a new and exciting restaurant space set to open before the end of the year.
RPC General Contractors is no stranger to the science and art of historic building restoration. We understand how these beautiful structures provide so much more than striking visuals; they bring history to life, help spotlight cultures, and enrich communities.
One of our latest Florida historical building projects will open its doors at 44 Avenida Menendez in St. Augustine.
It’s called The Saint, a stunning Italian restaurant complete with a courtyard and open rooftop dining where patrons can enjoy Italian cuisine, seafood, and steaks, all while taking in the history of a structure that dates back to the 18th Century.
As the contractors of this wonderful project, we’re proud to showcase The Saint Restaurant and celebrate how Florida historical buildings play a vital role in preserving local history and tradition.
A Brief History of The Saint Restaurant
The spot where The Saint stands boasts the Espinosa Sanchez building, one of many Florida historical buildings and one of few Spanish Colonial structures still standing in St. Augustine. It dates back to the First Spanish Colonial period, when its construction took place sometime between 1702 and 1756.
Not only is the Espinosa Sanchez building one of the oldest in St. John’s County, it’s also located in St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied city in America.
Diego de Espinosa, a mercantile planter, was the first owner of this large, one-story coquina stone house. It’s the resiliency of this coquina stone that accounts for the longevity of this building, which has survived two fires, various reconstructions, and several alterations over hundreds of years.
One restoration occurred in 1965 when the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board revitalized the Espinosa Sanchez building and other colonial-period structures around the city as part of a project that continued into the 1970s.
The Board’s careful analysis of the archaeological evidence and building materials connected to the Espinosa Sanchez building helped them better understand how the original structure was formed.
Such respect for history and character helps preserve a building in the most complete way possible, and that’s precisely how RPC approached this enchanting project.
RPC and The Saint Restaurant Project
The third project of the River Restaurant Group, The Saint stands on 0.32 acres. It was built to become a 12,000-square-foot space incorporating three different dining areas: indoor, courtyard, and the rooftop.
The restaurant will seat 400 people with bars built into both the main floor and rooftop. The Espinosa Sanchez building itself—previously a real estate office—was renovated for use as a private dining space for more exclusive events.
Working on Florida historical buildings comes with unique challenges, and The Saint project was no exception. Simply getting in and out of the site was difficult for the many tradespeople whose talents are necessary to realize such a construction project.
Navigating the limited access meant crews had to extend even greater care in getting the job done.
It was also necessary to obtain approval from the St. Augustine Historic Architectural Review Board before work even began, and to continue seeking their approval every step of the way to ensure that modernization didn’t compromise the Espinosa Sanchez building’s historic character.
For example, characteristics of the original Spanish site plan had to be preserved.
The arcaded loggia of the main block-and-wing extension has endured centuries to become part of The Saint, and its original street front orientation continues into the 21st Century to help patrons discover and access it even more easily.
Alongside the delicate historical concerns were all the modern requirements of building a restaurant, from understanding permitting and compliance to the essential post-construction handoff.
RPC’s extensive experience as a full-service construction company ably covered all these areas and helped ensure The Saint restaurant is as compliant and safe as it is visionary.
How The Saint Restaurant Impacts St. Augustine, FL
“Upscale casual” is the right way to describe the atmosphere The Saint offers with its spacious profile and versatile menu.
The restaurant is designed to cater to walk-in customers looking to eat on a whim or to planned experiences for more special occasions. It’s shaping up to add a new touch of culture and class for diners in the historic St. Augustine area.
Any new enterprise is sure to create employment opportunities, helping The Saint add further value to its community beyond good looks and delicious food.
You can stay connected to the Saint project via their Instagram and website for the latest information.
So, next time you’re at the intersection of Charlotte Street and Treasury Street, look for the historical marker that commemorates the Espinosa Sanchez building.
You’ll be right next door to The Saint, a crucial component of the Espinosa Sanchez building’s legacy that’s ready to provide one of the most scenic and memorable dining experiences that St. Augustine has to offer.
Revitalize the Past With Help From RPC
RPC General Contractors is a full-service construction company with 36 years of history and extensive experience in renovating historic properties.
Send us a message, call (904) 241-4416, or stop by our Atlantic Beach office to learn more about our work and discover how we can help with your next historical project.