Creating an innovative multi-use center that will enhance the Farragut experience.
Over the course of its long and proud history, Admiral Farragut Academy has demonstrated the ability to adapt and evolve.
The school originated with a northern campus, expanded to campuses in two states, and continues to flourish in its current location in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 1990, the previously all-male school began admitting female students. Over the past two decades, centers of excellence like Aviation, Engineering, Marine Science, and Scuba have all been added to Farragut’s curriculum, which – along with our ongoing focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – further enhance the school’s reputation as a leader in education. In 2014, Headmaster Robert J. Fine, Jr. ushered in a new era during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Roy M. Speer Student Center, now a hub of activity on campus.
Farragut is now poised to bolster the academic and communal experience for the entire Farragut community with a new multi-use center, named DeSeta Hall, that will be used as a space for gatherings, school-wide functions, speaker programs, and the enhancement of enrichment programs.
The design of DeSeta Hall will highlight the school’s proud heritage, employing a traditional architectural style in a manner that respects and reflects Farragut Hall’s distinctive appearance and historic charm. DeSeta Hall will provide the Farragut community with an important resource in today’s modern educational landscape, bringing together under one roof many existing programs which have emerged over time in response to increasing desire by students and parents for a well-rounded educational experience. Additionally, the facility affords Farragut the opportunity to consolidate the administrative offices, providing work space that encourages collaboration and efficiency.
This exciting project will allow us to:
Create an appealing and attractive assembly space that not only strengthens the spirit of Farragut, but also enhances the fraternal experience amongst students, faculty, staff, alumni and families and guests.
At 26,000 square feet, DeSeta Hall represents a notable increase over the outdated, early-20th century brick chapel that has served as a multi-purpose facility since the establishment of Farragut’s St. Petersburg campus in 1944. DeSeta Hall will provide an exceptional gathering space for a variety of events. It will include classrooms for instruction, audio-visual rooms, and art-specific studios, and serve as the home for the music and the arts programs. The 500-seat auditorium will function as an ideal venue for assemblies, Homecoming, and guest speakers and lectures. With a retractable seating system, the flexible space will play host to many special events like the Father-Daughter Dance and the annual Silent Auction. Large and small conference rooms, equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, will be suitable for smaller meetings.
Integrate Farragut’s Art, Music and Studio Arts classes into a facility that promotes collaboration and creativity among students, faculty, and guests under one roof.
DeSeta Hall will allow Farragut to enhance its arts curriculum and all of its signature programs, giving students the opportunity to broaden their horizons. Additionally, students and visitors will benefit from the generous gallery space within DeSeta Hall where art will be showcased in both permanent and temporary exhibits.
Allocate substantial practice space for the music program, including the “Admiral’s Own Band,” Farragut’s music ensemble.
The band performs for dress parades, athletic events, pep rallies and other traditional events. In the community, the band typically provides music for civic events, participates in parades as a representative of the Academy and plays for an assortment of military ceremonies.
Create an administrative wing in the new building.
The vacated office space in Farragut Hall will be renovated and converted into space for our boarding students, setting the stage for continued growth and development at the traditionally high-achieving school. Consolidating music and arts in DeSeta Hall will free up much needed additional classroom space.
Feature a style of architecture that will communicate energy, tradition, and a proud legacy to the entire Farragut community.
Students and their families, visitors, alumni, and our neighbors in the vibrant community around Fifth Avenue North. DeSeta Hall will be built to the highest standards of energy efficiency, including LED lighting.
Provide Farragut an enhanced platform to partner with outside organizations.
The size and scope of DeSeta Hall will allow Farragut to enhance current partnerships and develop new ones as the institution continues to build and strengthen its reputation in the community. Local community members would not only visit Farragut for events presented by its students, but would be motivated to use the facility in other ways, as well.
DeSeta Hall will be a source of pride, a point of celebration that fosters togetherness during the school day and after the bells ring with an assortment of exciting presentations and events. It will allow the Farragut administration and the school’s Board of Directors to host community and business representatives regularly to share ideas and to seek advice. Furthermore, alumni will be able to gather in a central location during Homecoming, reunions, and other events. Additionally, DeSeta Hall will be a revenue-generating facility, available for rent by the general public for functions such as weddings, meetings, speakers, and theatrical productions.
Taking on such an endeavor demonstrates Admiral Farragut Academy’s commitment to meeting the needs of the 21st century student. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, DeSeta Hall will offer a dramatic centerpiece for boarders, day students and their families, and all visitors to our campus. Adaptation and innovation are indelible in the heart and soul of Farragut and the creation of this center is yet another example of these qualities. DeSeta Hall demonstrates Farragut’s vision of educating today’s youth in a well-rounded manner.
Key Elements
- Auditorium/Multi-purpose room that seats 500
- Retractable seating system
- Staff offices
- Two conference rooms
- Lobby/reception area
- Music classroom
- Band classroom
- Drama/rehearsal classroom
- Art classroom
- Outdoor art patio
Financial Aspects
The Admiral Farragut Academy Board of Directors is completing a capital campaign (Farragut’s first-ever) with a goal of raising $4.0 million to help make this exciting project – DeSeta Hall, additional residence hall space, and new administrative office space – a reality. When completed in the Fall of 2019, DeSeta Hall will be a hub of innovation and interaction for the Farragut community. The project will be funded by a combination of private philanthropy and short-term financing (figures are estimates):
- $9.0 million – estimated project cost (design, construction, landscaping, furnishings, administration)
- $4.0 million – fundraising goal from AFA families, alumni, and friends
- $5.0 million – short-term financing
Remaining Naming Opportunities
Leave your mark
An attractive, well-designed building in a prominent location on campus offers many benefits to the entire Farragut community.
$ 250,000 – New Dorm Recreation Wing (in Farragut Hall)
$ 100,000 – Theater/Music Classroom
$ 25,000 – Individual Staff Offices (9)
Bookkeeper
Upper School Principal
Assistant Principal (2)
Upper School Administrative Assistant
Admissions Director
Admissions Associate (2)
Commandant
$ 25,000 – Small Conference Room
$ 25,000 – Practice Rooms (2)
$ 25,000 – Dressing Rooms (2)
$ 25,000 – Catering Room
$ 25,000 – Storage Room (3)
$ 25,000 – Information Technology Room
$ 25,000 – Utility Room
$ 2,500 – Individual Dorm Rooms (85)
Major Events
For the Capital Campaign
Kickoff Event
November 17, 2016
Plane Removal
November 29, 2016
Chapel Demolition
April 10, 2017
Groundbreaking Ceremony
November 3, 2017
DeSeta Hall Construction
2017 – 2019
DeSeta Hall Dedication
Coming October 19, 2019
Support the New Building
Capital Campaign
We invite you to join us on this inspiring journey into Admiral Farragut Academy’s exciting future. To learn more about The New Building Campaign for Admiral Farragut Academy, please call Tony Sloan at 727-384-5500 ext 278 or email tsloan@farragut.org. Thank you to our parents, alumni, board members, faculty, staff, and friends of Farragut who support our mission and our growing school.
What’s Next?
Enhancing the Waterfront
The Board and professional leadership of Admiral Farragut Academy are also committed to enhancing the waterfront property, polishing this hidden gem into an innovative and exciting place of exploration, study, collaboration, discovery, and recreation. Once we meet the $4 million goal for the new multi- purpose building on the main campus, planning for the waterfront project will begin — including a pedestrian bridge across Park Street, providing safe transit between campus and the waterfront.
In taking this step, Admiral Farragut Academy plans to expand the scope and reach of the Farragut experience by enhancing the magnificent natural landscape that sits on Boca Ciega Bay. As one of the few campuses in the world — primary, secondary, or collegiate — with immediate access to a body of water, we have an excellent opportunity to further develop the quality of life and education in and out of the classroom for the entire Farragut community.
These projects demonstrate Farragut’s continued commitment to being at the forefront of leadership and innovation. Individually, each project will amplify the educational and recreational opportunities for the students of Farragut. Taken together, these dramatic innovations will take Admiral Farragut Academy to even greater heights, launching an exciting new phase in our proud history, starting a new chapter in our inspiring story.
