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Newcomers to Florida and Miami often are concerned about the brutal summer months and wonder how locals survive the heat. In other regions of the state, I imagine July and August seem to drag on forever, but luckily in Miami and its surrounding suburbs, there is no shortage of ways to keep busy—and cool—when you’re maxed out on beach time. I previously wrote about some of the area’s best museums and estates and great pools; today I am sharing three more amazing attractions that provide a welcome break from the sun and sand.     The Planetarium at the Miami Science Museum Planetariums, in my opinion, get little appreciation nowadays, but they offer a truly unique learning experience for kids […]

Think you’ve tried the best Miami has to offer when it comes to restaurants and bars? With so many options and the never-ending cycle of openings and closings, many of our city’s best culinary delights get lost in the shadow of celebrity chefs and flashy upscale eateries. Here I suggest four establishments to add to your must-try list, if you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting them already.   For Wine Lovers: Happy Wine Though this modest Mom-and-pop wine shop in Calle Ocho (there is a second, fancier location in Coconut Grove) has been recognized for its caliber as a place to buy wine, it’s also a local favorite spot for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. Stop by to test […]

To say it’s hot in the summer in Miami is an understatement. But enjoying perfect weather for nine out of twelve months a year is well worth enduring even the sweltering days of June, July, and August. Plus, it’s easy to beat the heat at these three beautiful and refreshing Miami pools.   The Biltmore The 23,000-square-foot pool at the landmark Coral Gables hotel is the stuff of aquatic dreams. Treat yourself to a stay or reserve a private cabana to enjoy a full day of lounging by the legendary oasis, where Hollywood’s original Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller, was once a lifeguard and full-fledged water shows drew thousands of spectators every Sunday.   The Venetian This fantastic public facility in Coral […]

If you’ve been following my posts on George Merrick’s six whimsical themed villages of Coral Gables, this marks the fifth installment of the series. (Check out previous posts on the Florida Pioneer Village, the Italian Village, the French City Village, and the Chinese Village.) The Dutch South African Village was an interesting architectural project. Aside from its origination as part of Merrick’s already visionary concept for bringing diverse design influences into the City Beautiful, this village’s particular focus is on the homes of Dutch colonists who settled in South Africa in the 17th century (which is just a little more obscure of a reference point than, say, the Italian or Chinese village). Designed by the well-known Palm Beach architect Marion […]

Of the themed villages scattered throughout Coral Gables, the Chinese Village is truly an architectural departure from the surrounding Miami area. Envisioned by planner George Merrick and designed by architect Henry Killam Murphy, this colorful period-revival subdivision was constructed between 1926 and 1927. (For more on these themed villages, check out my previous posts on the Florida Pioneer Village, the Italian Village, and the French City Village) The Chinese enclave is located immediately south of U.S. 1 and includes 5125, 5129, 5133 and 5100 Riviera Drive; 5104, 5108 and 5112 Maggiore Street; and 534 Avenue Mendez. Murphy, a Yale alum who designed several educational buildings in China and was a proponent of adapting traditional Chinese architectural styles to modern uses, […]

If you find yourself charmed by the whimsical homes in Coral Gables, chances are the block of 18th-century-inspired houses along Hardee Road has much to do with capturing your attention. These properties make up the French City Village, one of six unique period-revival subdivisions in the Gables. (Check out these previous posts for more on planner George Merrick’s villages and the Florida Pioneer Village and Italian Village) The French City Village is one of the most cohesive of the themed enclaves and is bounded by Maggiore Street, San Vicente Street, Caligula Avenue, and Barbarossa Avenue. Mott B. Schmidt, a prolific architect renowned for his work in the traditional niche of American Georgian Classicism, teamed with Anderson Fowler, a New Jersey […]

Last month I gave an overview of one of the six unique themed villages scattered throughout Coral Gables, the Florida Pioneer Village (want a bit more history about Gables’ creator George Merrick’s plan for these residential subdivisions? Check this out). Another of the international pockets still in existence today is the Italian Village, bordered by San Antonio Avenue, San Esteban, Segovia Street, and Monserrate Street. Architects Alfred L. Klingbeil, John and Coulton Skinner, R. F. Ware, and Robert Law Weed designed the 17 homes of this village from 1925-1927 in the style of Italian farmhouses. (Check out the lovely villas along Palmarito and Monserrate streets.) Driving through this village, you might find that the homes aren’t all that distinct from the […]

If you haven’t had the opportunity to tour, or at least drive by, the six unique themed villages scattered throughout Coral Gables, you’re in for an architectural treat. When George Merrick created the Gables, one of the country’s first fully planned communities, in 1925, it was inspired primarily by Mediterranean-style architecture. Later, to attract more homebuyers to the area, he envisioned 14 residential subdivisions, each inspired by a distinct international region. Only six were built, and only 80 of the 1,000 planned homes, before the project was derailed in 1928, when Merrick fell into debt. One such village still stands today on Santa Maria Street, south of the Biltmore Hotel and bordering the Riviera Country Club golf course. Architects John […]

When people think of Coral Gables today, many think of stately Mediterranean Revival homes, the Biltmore, the Venetian Pool and Miracle Mile. This being said, anyone that has tried to renovate their home in the City Beautiful tends to think of getting building permits and going in front of the architectural board. As one of the first planned communities in the United States, the reason for this is simple: George Merrick, upon founding the Gables back in 1925, wanted to inspire people with the city’s architecture. This is what he envisioned the villages of Coral Gables (the Dutch South African, the Chinese, the French Normandy, the Florida Pioneer, the French Country, the French City, and the Italian) to do and […]