Art Deco
Building Name: Sagamore Hotel South BeachArchitect: Albert Anis Builder: Fred HowlandDate of completion: 1948Location: 1671 Collins Avenue, Miami BeachWaking up in the Historic Sagamore Hotel, renowned globally as “The Art Hotel”, is a once in a lifetime joy!This 70-year-old Art Deco masterpiece sits on the ocean and gleams in the morning sunrise! Breakfast in the miles-long lobby is a mandatory start to the day. With coffee in hand, tour the amazing permanent collection adorning the walls and additionally, see the ever-changing carefully curated collection. Next, stroll to the ocean and view the contemporary wall art murals splashed with color. After your coffee cup is depleted, head out the door and head north past more world-famous brightly decorated Art Deco Architectural wonders. Pass the 1940 National Hotel, designed by Roy France, (this is where Fred & Ginger would stay when they came to town) legendary grace and unbelievable style is on display every day!Its next-door neighbor is the world-famous Delano Hotel, built in 1947 by Rob and Rose Schwartz and designed by architect Robert Swartburg. The hotel was originally utilized for military housing. Some say, the Delano Hotel was named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In the 1990’s, it was given a new adaption by Ian Schrager, that helped brand Miami Beach as South Beach, then SOBE!
More Art Deco
Building Name: National Hotel, Shelborne Hotel, Royal Palm Hotel, The Nautilus/Riande, Surfcomber and othersArchitects: Roy France, Igor Polevitsky, Donald G. Smith, Morris Lapidus, , Edward McKay (McKay & Gibbs), Melvin GrossmanDates of completion: 1939-1949Locations: Collins Avenue, Miami BeachKeep strolling along Collins Avenue and view more pastel colored Art Deco masterpieces! Pop into lobbies and see how 70-90-year-old hotels are ready for their close ups as you marvel at these architectural wonders, now displaying contemporary furniture, innovative lighting, and modern art, giving theses Art Deco beauties a whole new updated look!Built by the Who’s Who of Art Deco masters of the time, these beautiful buildings have had a few updates since they debuted on Collins Avenue all those years ago, but they have certainly kept up with 21st Century tastes and expectations. Visit them all – you can’t go wrong with any of them.
New Architecture
Building Name: Miami Beach Convention CenterArchitect: Architectonica and Fentress Architects Builder: Clark ConstructionDate of completion: originally built in 1957/ reimagined 2020Location: 1900 Convention Center Drive, Miami BeachHead to 19th street and you are now facing the newly re-constructed Miami Beach Convention Center, originally built in 1957. This new complex houses the world’s most famous Art Basel art fair-The largest & most famous art fair in the world!! The City of Miami Beach, in its wisdom planned, chose, and installed $7,000,000 of public Art under its much-emulated Art in Public Places City government program. Commission-appointed local volunteers serve on the art committee and chose the artists based on their submissions.The building’s renovation was completed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and, post renovation, it currently stands as the most technologically advanced event and meeting space in the US. The renovation included the addition of 263,000 square feet of space, additional meeting rooms, huge ballrooms, along with an LEED Silver certification.Design features include significantly improved use of natural sunlight, shaded by a louvered façade that resemble ocean waves. Additional plans include the building of an 800-room Convention Center Hotel just next door. Groundbreaking is currently slated for 2023.
Art in Public Places
Artists: Joel Van Lieshout, Sara Morris, Franz AckermannTitle: Humanoids, Morris Lapidus, About SandDate of completion: 2018Medium: Aluminum, Tile, PaintLocation: Convention Center Collins Canal Park, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami BeachStart at the south end of the Miami Beach Convention Center where you can view an explosion of color tile work by Franz Ackermann. This handmade tile work is dazzling, and you can take your time drinking in this wall art. Walk to the far northern end and you will encounter Sarah Morris’ outside tile work; a tribute to one of Miami Beach’s architectural founders, Morris Lapidus. He designed the Miami Modern (MiMo) masterpieces, The Fontainebleau, and Eden Roc Hotels, that were responsible for another revival of Miami Beach in the 1950s’ rat pack era with legendary performances by Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Elizabeth Taylor and dozens more! Later, head north via an Uber or taxi and create your own adventure by walking through those still fantastic lobbies and take the ‘stairway to nowhere’.Back at the Convention Center, circle around to the side of the building and walk into Dutch artist Joel van Lieshout’s extended exhibit, “Humanoids”! These amazing sculptures are placed along Miami Beach’s Collins Canal and showcase man’s relationship to nature. Walk to the entrance of the Convention Center and see Joseph Kosuth’s “Located World” that graces a large wall of the Convention Center and lists cities and countries around the world. All of Miami Beach’s 11 sister cities are highlighted. When a convention is in town, there is a huge bottleneck here as visitors are determined to find their home cities and countries on this artistic geographic wall!Walk outside and cross the street to find a comfortable respite in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. This intimate 3-acre tropical garden was created in 1962 on a vacant lot and given a recent multimillion upgrade by Landscape architect, Raymond Jungles. Find the Japanese Garden and red Japanese bridge for your Instagram moment and stroll the grounds for many more hidden wonders.
Notable Historical Places
Building Name: Miami Beach Holocaust MemorialArtist: Kenneth TreisterDate of completion: 1989Location: 1933 Meridian Avenue, corner of Meridian Avenue and Dade Boulevard, Miami BeachNext door is the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, created in 1984 on land donated by the City of Miami Beach. This unusual sculptural museum was designed by Kenneth Treister. Extensive time is required to be able to tour the complex in its entirety and read the history of the holocaust etched on marble panels on the walls, along with experiencing the loss of millions of Jews, Gypsies, and homosexuals.The casts for this complex series of sculptures were done in a foundry in Taiwan and Mexico City. Research for the project occurred over five years’ time. The Memorial Wall attempts to capture the number of human souls lost to the Holocaust. It captures many names of those lost and additional names are constantly being added.The Memorial has hosted numerous events since its inception with the intended purpose of educating the public on the Holocaust as well as providing photo and video resources for learning. Self-guided and large group tours are available. The Memorial also partners with Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies.
Shopping, Dining, and Architecture
Building Name: Lincoln Road Shopping MallArchitect: Morris Lapidus Date of completion: 1950Location: Miami BeachHead south along Meridian Avenue towards Lincoln Road, one of America’s first outdoor pedestrian malls and stroll until you find your restaurant of choice. Then continue walking west until you find the colorful fountain “Save Our Ocean” along with the tile work “Save our Reefs”, created by local Miami Beach artist Carlos Alves. Sit nearby and enjoy a Cuban Coffee and watch children play in this unusual art fountain!Farmer’s markets and other walking fairs and exhibitions, along with street musicians and assorted entertainment are also found regularly along this east to west 1 mile stretch. When speaking of this work, the architect Morris Lapidus was quoted as saying: “I designed Lincoln Road for people, a car never bought anything.” And so, it was built, featuring beautifully lush landscaping, fountains, gazebos, and shaded sidewalks. Virtually all these elements remain today where some of the best people watching can be had from its many sidewalk and center walk cafes and restaurants. Head back to the Sagamore Hotel for a swim in the pool or a jump in the ocean.
Ocean Drive
Building Name: The Betsy South BeachArchitect: L. Murray DixonDate of completion: 1942Location: 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami BeachYour next venture will include a short walk east towards the ocean to visit iconic Ocean Drive, the heart of the National Register Art Deco District. You’ll start your walk at the historic Betsy Hotel, built in 1942 and designed by prolific architect, L Murray Dixon. Enter a carefully curated art world where you will enjoy photography, paintings, videos, and art installations, scattered throughout this art museum, to please every discerning eye!This hotel is the last example of Florida Georgian architecture left on Miami Beach. It has undergone considerable renovations and expansions seamlessly blending mid-20th century charm with 21st century technology.The hotel has become a central point of arts and culture on Ocean Drive hosting numerous established and emerging artists, poetry readings, and musicians of many different genres throughout the year.
Art Deco and Architecture
Building Name: The Crescent, McAlpin, and Ocean Plaza Hotels, South BeachArchitects: Henry Hohauser, Lawrence Murray Dixon Dates of completion: 1938-1941Locations: 1420-1430 Ocean Drive, Miami BeachRegardless of where you begin or end, an early evening stroll along Ocean Drive will lead you to Art Deco Heaven. As the sun goes down, the Art Deco neon begins to come alive.Walk past the 1941 Crescent Hotel, by Henry Hohauser and see the crescent moon in the veranda of the hotel. Next, see the Ocean Plaza, by L. Murray Dixon and formerly known as the Clyde Hotel to see the O in the veranda. The 1940s McAlpin Hotel, also by Dixon shows the M prominently placed in the veranda. All hotels are covered in pastel neon-welcoming the night, that allows them to shine once again.Each of these properties along with so many others on Ocean Drive are now completely updated with modern amenities while retaining their 1930-40’s Art Deco feel.The Crescent Hotel is now a Diamond Resort property while the McAlpin and Ocean Plaza Hotels are operated by Hilton Grand Vacations.
More Public Art
Building Name: Villa Casa Casuarina/Versace Mansion, South BeachArchitect/Builder: Alden Freeman/Ronin Wolf; Interior Designer: Addison MiznerDate of completion: 1930Location: 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami BeachVilla Casa Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion, was built in 1930 and was later owned by the late Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace. This Mediterranean revival priced home was purchased by Jac Amsterdam and was originally known The Amsterdam Palace. This eye-popping complex was purchased by Gianni Versace in 1992 and became known as the Versace mansion. Obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, the mansion has numerous pieces in that theme including a medallion symbolizing the shield of Perseus and a circle with a medusa among others. Slip inside as the VIP you are and enjoy a wonderful dinner at Gianni’s Restaurant. Revel in the original architectural designs and the sass and sizzle Gianni brought to his then, new home. Since 2015, the home has been adapted into and operates as a luxury boutique hotel with ten unique suites, known as The Villa Casa Casuarina.
Sunset Unwind
Wrap up your evening with a cocktail in any of the many Art Deco gems that vie for your attention And enjoy the swaying palm trees and the night sky!
