MIAMI BEACH’S #1 ART DECO DISTRICT
September 5, 2022 | John J. Pasquini
On May 14, 1979, Miami’s Art Deco District was designated a United States Historic District. Located in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida (bound by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Sixth Street to the South, Alton Road to the west, and Collins Canal and Dade Boulevard to the north), it is the site of the most extensive collection of Art Deco buildings in the world–960 historic structures.
Art Deco refers to architecture that flourished in Miami during the tumultuous period between the Great Depression and the 1940s. Infused by the optimism of the 1930s’ Chicago and New York World’s Fairs—which fostered hope for a better future—Art Deco’s “Streamline Moderne,” “Tropical,” and “Med-deco” styles emphasized the period’s hope through its emphasis on all things modern, resilient, and optimistic.
The Art Deco district, also known as the Old Miami Beach Historic District, includes hotels, commercial strips, and residential areas. The prime properties are located along Ocean Drive, facing a public park and beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
Among its most famous landmarks are the works of the renowned architects Albert Anis, Lester Avery, L. Murray Dixon, Charles Greco, and Henry Hohauser. These architectural attractions include:
- Amsterdam (Versace) Palace (Mediterranean Revival, 1930)
Versace Palace
- The Victor (International, 1937)
- The Tides (Moderne, 1936)
- The Carlyle (Moderne, 1941)
- The Cardoza (Moderne, 1939)
- The Netherlands (Moderne, 1935)
- The Winterhaven (Moderne, 1939)
South Beach is a wonderful place to live, visit, and invest in. Over 15 million tourists come to South Beach to experience its famous beaches, nightlife, outdoor cafes, indie and chain shops, museums, and architectural masterpieces.
And in terms of investors and entrepreneurs, South Beach is a businessperson’s dream. South Beach is a prime location for those interested in investing and working in the accommodation and food services industries. Hotels, motels, cafes, boutiques, tourist shops, and water-sports shops abound. And with its ever-increasing number of tourists, South Beach and the Greater Miami area will always be a sought-out business location.
Sources: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2022, July 14). Miami. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Miami-Florida; (2022). Art Deco. The Art Story. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/art-deco.