Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Back in the States, a mere year later, a devastating hurricane blew through Miami
Beach, leaving few buildings standing. The wealthy folks who were living here before the
hurricane chose to decamp. The second blow of a one-two punch for Miami's economy
was delivered by the Great Depression. But in this dark time, opportunity soon came
knocking. In Miami real estate, everything was up for grabs. The clean slate of the South
Florida coastline was practically begging for experimentation.
Hotel rebuilding began in Miami Beach at the rate of about 100 per year during the
1930s. Many architects had 40 to 50 buildings in production at any one time until the in-
ception of WWII. This overlapped with a surge in middle-class tourism between 1936 and
1941, when visitors started coming for a month at a time.
The post-Depression era was an optimistic time, with hopes and dreams pinned on sci-
entific and technological revolutions. Reverence for machines took on almost spiritual di-
mensions, and found its aesthetic expression in both symbolic and functional ways.
What does all this have to do with architecture? Everything. The principles of efficiency
and streamlining translated into mass-produced, modest buildings without superfluous or-
namentation - at least in the Northeast USA.
Romance, Relief & Rhythms
Miami Beach, a more romantic and glamorous resort, developed what came to be known
as tropical deco architecture. It organically reflected the natural world around it. For ex-
ample, glass architectural blocks let bright Florida light in but kept sweltering heat out.
They also served a geometric or cubist aesthetic. Floral reliefs, popular during the art nou-
veau period, appeared here, too. Friezes on facades or etched into glass reflected native
flora and fauna such as palm trees, pelicans and flamingos. Friezes also took their cues
from the uniquely American jazz movement, harmonious and lyrical. Surrounded by wa-
ter, Miami Beach deco also developed a rhythmic language, with scalloped waves and
fountains.
Miami Beach cross streets are determined by building number. Two zeroes after the first
number means the building is at the base of the block. So 700 Ocean Dr is at 7th St and
Ocean, while 1420 Ocean Dr is at 14th St & Ocean.
