The day after the Delray Beach City Commission rejected a rezoning request that would have allowed a three-story building on the lots immediately west of Doc’s All American restaurant, the owner of Doc’s withdrew an application to list the iconic eatery on the city’s Historic Register.
Earlier in that meeting last month, the City Commission had unanimously voted on first reading to approve the historic designation, but city regulations require a second reading to list a structure in the register.
John T. Murphy, the manager of the company that owns all three lots, wrote a letter to the director of the city’s Development Services department. “Based on last night’s vote, unfortunately we will be withdrawing our application” to designate Doc’s as historic, he wrote.
Doc’s sits at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton avenues, in the heart of the city’s Old School Square Historic Arts District. It was built in 1951 and is considered a prime example of post-World War II Mid-Century roadside architecture.
Doc’s remains safe from the wrecking ball, at least in the short term. Before anyone can secure a demolition permit, an approved plan for what would be built on the lot must be in the owner’s hands. Any such plan would have to work its way through advisory boards and finally the City Commission.
— Staff report
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