Coral Gables History

Coral Gables, also known as “The Gables” is a well-known area in Miami with loads of history that is a major part of the story and value of the city.  This dates all the way back to the early 1900’s and you will see so much of the Mediterranean Revival Style.  This area is famous for its strict zoning regulations that are in place in an effort to protect and preserve all the history.  Coral Gables was incorporated in 1925 and its founder, George Merrick, had a distinct vision for the city. Merrick named Coral Gables after the home he grew up in, which was made of a limestone, coral-like exterior and fitted with a gabled roof. With their textured walls and tiled roofs, the houses and buildings create one cohesive city-wide aesthetic, unsurprising given that it was one of Florida’s first planned cities.

Merrick meticulously designed the downtown commercial district to be only four blocks wide and more than two miles long. The city used to have an electric trolley system, which was replaced by the popularity of modern automobiles, but now a new free circulator trolley system, initiated in November 2003, runs down Ponce de León Boulevard.

Together with a team of extraordinary designers, which included artist Denman Fink, architects H. George Fink and Phineas Paist, and landscape architect Frank Button, Merrick set out to create a unique suburb of the city of Miami. A project that would be an unrivaled beauty, constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style, featuring all the elements of the City Beautiful Movement right down to the finest details, like city lamp posts. The Merrick land holdings were subdivided with clear zoning and usage specifications. These original city planners set aside residential and country club areas, business, industrial and craft subdivisions and recreational areas including bridle paths, parks, tennis courts and golf courses.

Coral Gables is a pedestrian-friendly destination. Located four miles from Miami International Airport, the "City Beautiful" has around 140 dining establishments and gourmet shops, and many notable international retailers. The Gables is known as the Fine Dining Capital of South Florida.  Among the landmarks in Coral Gables are the Venetian Pool, Douglas Entrance and the Miami Biltmore hotel.

The beauty and charm of Coral Gables is experienced in the numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains throughout the City. Of the eight planned entrances, only four were completed. The Douglas Entrance, also known as La Puerta del Sol, is one of the most elaborate. It was originally planned as part of a larger complex of shops, apartments, and townhouses. Built between 1925 and 1927, the entrance was the only part of the larger complex which was constructed. It was designed by Walter DeGarmo, Phineas Paist, and Denman Fink in the Mediterranean Revival style. It is evocative of the architecture and of the entrances to walled Spanish hill towns.

If you have yet to experience all the charm and history within the city of Coral Gables, I encourage you to plan a trip out and breathe it all in.

If you are looking to buy, sell, or have any questions regarding Miami Historic Homes, call 305-986-7041 or fill out the contact form. We would love to connect with you regarding your interest in Historic homes and we specialize in renovating, researching, purchasing or selling Historic Homes in South Florida.