Art Deco chic in Miami

Hailing originally from France in the mid 1920s, the name ‘Art Deco’ became associated with a chic new style of architecture - a shortened term, which was derived from the 1925 ‘Paris Exposition Internationale des Artes Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes’.

The trend hit Miami in the late 1920s during a huge building-boom, and now the hundreds of Art Deco inspired buildings that were built during that period form a strong part of the city’s charm and heritage.

Here we look at (in no particular order) seven of the coolest Art Deco buildings, which are definitely worth a visit next time you are in the neighborhood.

The Carlyle
1250 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

Opened in 1941 and designed by Kiehnel & Elliot, The Carlyle has been an attraction on Ocean Drive for over 70 years. It’s memorable colour-scheme of white and sea green has been featured in films such as Scarface and Bad Boys, and has become one of Miami’s most recognizable fixtures.

The Webster
1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Designed by Henry Hohauser in 1939, The Webster is a former hotel, which is now a multi-brand boutique, stocking high-end designer collections from Balmain, YSL, Celine, Chanel, and Dior. The building’s striking symmetrical lines and neon strobe lights make it an interesting spectacle, especially in the evenings, when clients congregate on the roof terrace for drinks.

US Post Office
1300 Washington Avenue

In 1937, Architect Howard Lovewell Cheney designed this building in a style known as ‘Depression Moderne’. Outside, the building is simple and modest with curved lines and whitewashed walls, however, following a refurbishment in 1977 by the federal government, inside you will now find an elaborate mural by Charles Hardman depicting Ponce de Leon’s invasion of Florida, as well as a fountain and a ceiling fixture resembling the sun.

Cardozo Hotel
1300 Ocean Drive

Like many of the Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, the Cardozo Hotel features a curved, corner style design, with groupings of square window bays and narrow ‘eyebrows’ above them. This 1939 Gem is owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan was designed by Henry Hohauser and was named after the first Jewish Judge on the US Supreme Court, Benjamin Cardozo. Today the hotel is part of the Benchmark Hotel Group and is one of the chicest places to stay in this area of town.

Waldorf Towers
860 Ocean Drive

With its orange and white corner design, Waldorf Towers is one of the most distinctive hotels in the area. Opened in 1937 and designed by Albert Anis, the hotel has a strong nautical theme, with a circular sun tower above the roof.

The Breakwater
940 Ocean Drive

Designed by World War One veteran Anton Skislewicz, The Breakwater is a towering neon beacon that was built in 1936. It’s clean lines, strong symmetry and zigzag patterns are common design features of many Art Deco style buildings, however, it’s bold blue colour scheme is not quite so common. In fact, the blue wasn’t always the colour of The Breakwater, it was repainted in the 1980s by the Miami Vice crew before the series was filmed there.

Leslie Hotel
1244 Ocean Drive

With its mustard yellow façade and matching outdoor parasols, The Leslie Hotel is a style icon in itself. Another masterpiece by Albert Anis, The Leslie was opened in 1937 and is probably most famous for being part of the set in The Ace Ventura movie, featuring Jim Carrey. With 35 rooms and a convenient beach-side location, the hotel is still very popular, and its restaurant Cala Café is a trendy choice for Mediterranean cuisine with Miami locals.

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