Thomas Reed Martin
(1866-1949)

Died aged c. 83

Thomas Reed Martin was born in 1866 in Menasha, Wisconsin. He came to Sarasota in 1911 and secured his first local commission to construct "The Oaks" for Mrs. Potter Palmer. By 1923 he had established himself as one of the "Builders of Sarasota." He made the original sketches for John Ringling’s home, Ca’ d’ Zan, although his design was not executed. He designed more than 500 houses in the Sarasota area, ranging from "Floridian" homes to the use of glass block and formed concrete in later compositions. His work often reflected modern streamlined forms embellished with Mediterranean Revival features. Some of Martin’s 1920s work included residences for Dr. Fred Albee, a surgeon and real estate developer; John J. McGraw, manager of the New York Giants baseball team; and Samuel W. Gumpertz, a successful showman. He also designed Exhibition Hall, a 1930s Works Progress Administration building. Thomas Reed Martin died in 1949.

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