Top 14 Art Deco Miami and South Beach’s Most Beautiful Buildings
Miami's iconic South Beach is an architectural treasure trove, with over 800 examples of art deco created in the years following a terrible hurricane that ... read more...devastated the city in 1926. The Art Deco District is about one square mile in size, and some of the most stunning structures on Ocean Drive overlook the shore, making exploration simple. Here are the top 14 art deco Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings.
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Outside the Cavalier Hotel, the elaborate stucco friezes are noteworthy for more than just aesthetic reasons. France employed them to provide symmetry (following the golden "Rule of Three") and to emphasize the verticality of the hotel by drawing attention upward. The design he picked represented his interest in ancient civilizations, which was sparked by the recent finding of King Tut's tomb and the Chichén Itzá temples.
Designed by architect Roy F. France in 1936 as a masterpiece of the Art Deco movement, the Cavalier Hotel has reigned supreme ever since and truly has a style all its own.The decor of the Cavalier Hotel is, in a word, unique. Upon entering the lobby, visitors are welcomed by beautiful black and gold furniture, nautical decorations, terrazzo floors, and a faux fireplace surrounded with candles and art pieces to complete the eclectic look and feel of the room.
Recent extensive restorations to this once famous property have allowed it to re-open with an updated twist to its Art Deco beauty, without compromising its original architectural integrity. The Cavalier Hotel maintains its original exterior facade of bright pastel colors in an Art Deco design, but contains new and updated rooms with their own eclectic features.Google rating: 3.9/5
Phone: +1 305-673-1199
Address: 1320 Ocean Drive
Architect: Roy France -
The historic Ocean Drive Park Central Hotel, known as the "Blue Jewel" because of the hue of its neon sign, was completed in 1937. Check out the beautiful floor in the foyer. Terrazzo, a cement and stone chip composition that can be poured and polished, is a trademark of art deco design. Terrazzo floors, like this one, often feature a geometric design.
Ideally located steps from the beach in Miami, this pastel-hued, Art Deco classic hotel is filled with the charm, history, and elegance of a bygone era. Park Central Hotel features an authentic Art Deco lobby, greeting guests with style as soon as they arrive. Appreciate the custom-made period furniture and nightly turndown service. Guests can enjoy complimentary beach chairs as well as access to an on-site business center. Take a swim in the heated pool or soak up the Florida sun on the rooftop sundeck. With luxurious amenities and an ideal Miami Beach location, Park Central has been favored by travelers for decades.
The Park Central Hotel is located at 640 Ocean Drive, just steps from the ocean in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco district. This is the center of the shopping, nightclub, and restaurant action. The hotel is 10 minutes from the Port of Miami, 20 minutes from Miami International Airport, and 45 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. This hotel is said to be one of the art deco Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings.
Google rating: 3.2/5
Phone: +1 305 538-1611
Address: 640 Ocean Drive
Architect: Henry Hohauser -
Essex House by Clevelander is an Art Deco oasis amidst the energy of South Beach. You’ll find their recently renovated hotel on Collins Avenue, a short walk from Ocean Drive and within easy reach of Miami’s innumerable attractions. Rejuvenate in peaceful, sophisticated accommodations with intuitive amenities, including deluxe beds and free Wi-Fi.
This restored art deco gem is a favorite with Europeans desiring a good location and a relatively no-frills, practical base—expect average-sized rooms with midcentury-style red furniture and marble tubs. The lobby mural was created in 1938 by artist Earl Le Pan, who touched it up 50 years later. The Essex House is a stunning example of maritime deco (also known as nautical moderne). Designed by Henry Hohauser to evoke an ocean liner, the hotel is rife with marine elements, from the rows of porthole-style windows and natty racing stripes to the towering smokestack-like sign. With a prow angled proudly into the street corner, it seems ready to steam out to sea. The outdoor patio is idyllic for lazy days of people-watching. The suites, reached by crossing a courtyard, are well worth the upgrade: each has a wet bar, a 100-square-foot bathroom, a refrigerator, and a hot tub.
Spend your days in their courtyard flanked by swaying palm trees and tropical greenery, before strolling two blocks to the sandy beach. When hunger strikes, wander over to your sister's property for a selection of great food and drinks. Dance the night away at Clevelander South Beach, where you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the iconic POOL+PATIO and C-LEVEL Rooftop. Your warm welcome awaits!
Google rating: 4.0/5
Phone: +1 305-534-2700
Address: 1001 Collins Avenue
Architect: Henry Hohauser -
The name spelled vertically in eye-popping neon on the venue’s iconic aluminum spire—Tiffany—bears evidence of the hotel’s earlier incarnation. When the Tiffany Hotel was erected in 1939, neon was still a novelty. Its use, coupled with the spire’s rocket-like shape, combined to create a futuristic look influenced by the sci-fi themes then pervasive in popular culture.
This magnificent art-deco property is housed in the old Tiffany building on Collins Avenue as well as a second structure along spectacular Ocean Drive with furnishings designed by fashion designer Todd Oldham. The name "Tiffany" is spelt out vertically in eye-catching neon on the venue's famous metal tower, indicating the hotel's original identity. When the Tiffany Hotel, designed by L. Murray Dixon, was built in 1939, neon was still a novelty. Its usage, paired with the spire's rocket-like design, created a futuristic aesthetic influenced by the sci-fi themes that were prominent at the time.
Nowadays, everything at this quirky, romantic boutique hotel is colorful and unique, from the decor to the tie-dye bathrobes hanging in the small but lovely bathrooms. The style of soft browns and whites works thanks to designer Oldham's keen eye (albeit it's starting to seem a little 1990s at this point). Soft lighting and two-person baths complete the picture of a romantic getaway. On Thursday-Saturday nights, the hotel's most exquisite treat is a rooftop bar, a low-key hangout where locals and hotel guests relax.
Google rating: 4.3/5
Phone: +1 305-531-2222
Address: 801 Collins Avenue
Architect: L. Murray Dixon -
Local investors paid $10 million for an Art Deco-style restaurant facility on South Beach. E.D.Y. Inc., controlled by Elijah Levy, Doron Malinasky, and Josef Lipkin in Miami Beach, purchased the 12,868-square-foot restaurant facility at 1450 Collins Ave. from a trust named Zori Hayon. The purchasers received a $7.5 million mortgage from American Century Bank in Coral Gables. The price per square foot was $777. The building once housed a Senor Frogs restaurant, which has since closed.
The structure was constructed in 1940 on a 10,411-square-foot lot. According to the Miami Design Preservation League, it was designed by Henry Hohauser and opened as Hoffman's Cafeteria in 1912. It served typical Eastern European Jewish meals until the 1970s. It was turned into a senior dancing venue named the Warsaw Ballroom in 1975. Then, in 1986, it reopened as the Ovo in the Warsaw Ballroom as a supper club, but it only lasted a year before it became the China Club, serving Chinese food with shark tank decor. It resumed the moniker Warsaw Ballroom in 1988, although it appealed to a younger party scene.
By the year 2000, the site was home to Jerry's Famous Deli, which featured European Jewish cuisine. Senor Frogs took its place in 2015, but the Mexican-themed eatery shuttered shortly after the COVID-19 epidemic began. The next chapter for this famous Art Deco home will be written by a new ownership group.Google rating: 4.1/5
Phone: +1 305-397-8628
Address: 1450 Collins Avenue
Architect: Henry Hohauser -
The Carlyle was the place to see and be seen when it first opened in 1939. The Carlyle home is still an outstanding Art Deco structure from a long-gone period. The Carlyle, known as one of the most sought-after locations for photo shoots, broadcast programs, Hollywood, and indie film-making, has appeared in films such as Bad Boys 2 (2003), Random Hearts (1999), Pronto (1997), The Birdcage (1996), and Scarface (1995). (1983).
Fast forward to now, when this historic structure has been recreated as a private residential complex, converting 50 previous flats into 19 luxury condominiums. Each suite features contemporary comforts such as complete kitchens, washers, and dryers, bidets, LCD TVs with cable, high-speed internet access, and Ocean Blue concierge personnel on-site to serve your every need.
The Carlyle is situated on Ocean Drive, Miami's most popular promenade. The experience of visiting Miami would be incomplete if you did not take a stroll down Ocean Drive. Lummus Park has a beautiful stretch of sand and sea on one side, and a large strip of bars, shops, restaurants, and hotels on the other. The fiesta vibe never disappears, day or night. Ocean Drive has some of the best specimens of this design, which conjures the romance and elegance of another era. Ocean Drive in Miami South Beach is as picturesque as a postcard and always bursting with excitement.Google rating: 3.6/5
Phone: +1 305-531-3203
Address: 1250 Ocean Drive
Architect: Kiehnel & Elliot -
When it comes to art deco Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings, can't help but mention Colony Theatre. The stunning Art Deco-style Colony Theatre, located at 1040 Lincoln Rd., is located in the center of South Beach. The Theatre debuted on January 25, 1935, as part of the Paramount Pictures theater system. The Colony is one of South Florida's most prominent entertainment venues, hosting a wide range of activities such as music, dance, theater, opera, comedy, performance art, and cinema.
The Colony Theatre, proudly managed by Spectra Venue Management, has recently emerged from a three-year, $6.5 million renovation/restoration to regain its status as the region's top mid-sized performance space. The entrance, façade, and lobby have been restored to their full Art Deco splendor, while the inside has a larger stage, more lighting, and cutting-edge theatrical rigging and sound equipment. The completely refurbished auditorium has a seating capacity of 415, which includes disabled-accessible seating. Every seat in the house has a perfect visual angle to the entire stage.
Google rating: 4.6/5
Phone: +1 305-674-1040
Address: 1040 Lincoln Road
Architect: R.A. Benjamin -
Located at the corner of 10th Street and the legendary Ocean Drive, The Breakwater is considered one of Art Deco Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings. The Breakwater Hotel is an icon of the Miami Beach Art Deco District. After a $20 million complete renovation, this 100-room/suite boutique property re-opened in mid-2011, sparkling with a chic and sophisticated vibe. Luxurious accommodations and amenities designed with attention to detail await. Guests will find themselves comfortably in the middle of everything Ocean Drive has to offer: beaches, dining, and shopping, with entertainment and nightlife options second to none. This towering, neon-lit façade is pure South Beach. At night, it’s a glowing blue beacon that can be seen from almost anywhere in Lummus Park.
This bright, beachfront hotel retains its original 1939 art deco exterior, placing it in the heart of South Beach's vibrant art deco district and 0.9 miles from the upscale Lincoln Road Mall. Modern rooms with colorful accents have free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, coffeemakers, and minibars. Some rooms and suites add ocean views, private balconies, and/or separate sitting areas. Full breakfast and the use of loaner bicycles are included. Additional amenities include a rooftop terrace, an upper-level pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and 2 on-site restaurants.
Google rating: 3.8/5
Phone: +1 305-532-2362
Address: 940 Ocean Drive
Architect: Anton Skislewicz -
With its wonderfully symmetrical design, eye-catching Miami pastel colors of pink and turquoise, and the charming face formed in the middle of the building by three windows and the separating lines, the McAlpin is one of the greatest examples of Art Deco architecture in Miami. Lawrence Murray Dixon, one of the great minds in the art deco movement who left behind numerous other structures in South Beach, constructed it in 1940. Today, The McAlpin is a famous selfie location in the art deco neighborhood. The property is now owned by Hilton and may be reserved for your ideal Miami Beach visit.
The historic McAlpin (now part of Hilton Grand Vacation Club) is one of South Beach's most well-known and photographed structures. It is unquestionably one of the outstanding specimens of Miami's Art Deco style. The façade is symmetrical, with lines running the length and width of the structure. Take note of the rule of three in both the vertical and horizontal brow lines. The McAlpin features a lovely pastel color scheme of pink and turquoise, as well as beautifully designed signage.
Immerse yourself in the seaside playground of South Beach by staying at McAlpin Ocean Plaza, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, home to casual glamour, Art Deco architecture, and palm-tree-lined beachfront access. With a sought-after Ocean Drive address in the trendy Art Deco District, this historically registered Miami Beach timeshare makes it easy to see and be seen just steps from the area’s most popular bistros, boutiques, and nightlife. Each sophisticated suite comes with a private kitchen to help you feel at home in South Florida’s most stylish city.
Google rating: 4.5/5
Phone: +1 305-604-8225
Address: 1424 Ocean Drive
Architect: L. Murray Dixon -
Special exhibitions supplement the museum's wide collection of international contemporary art, which was designed by Russell Pancoast and built completely of Florida limestone in the 1930s (a material with a coral base). A 12-million-dollar addition constructed in 2017 by acclaimed architects Arata Isozaki and David Gauld boosted interior space by nearly half and included four new galleries. The bulk of exhibitions is transitory, although permanent pieces on display include Jim Drain's chess tables and Ugo Rondinone's Miami Mountain. Visit on weekends at 2 p.m. for free docent-led tours of the temporary exhibitions.
The Bass Museum of Art opened in 1964 through the donation of a private collection by John and Johanna Bass to the City of Miami Beach. The museum opened in what was formerly the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center, a 1930s Art Deco building designed by Russell Pancoast, grandson of Miami Beach pioneer John Collins. The building itself already had a rich history in Miami Beach as the first public exhibition space for art in South Florida and was placed on the National Register in 1978. The Bass, Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum, creates connections between international contemporary art and the museum’s diverse audiences. The Bass shares the power of contemporary art through experiences that excite, challenge, and educate. This is one of the art deco in Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings.
Google rating: 4.0/5
Phone: +1 305-673-7530
Address: 2100 Collins Avenue
Architect: Russel Pancoast -
One of Ocean Drive's most renowned South Beach hotels makes a comeback with a new exterior and a pair of well-known new owners. After a $15 million refurbishment, Gloria and Emilio Estefan's Cardozo South Beach reopened in May 2019. The 80-year-old property, noted for its film appearances, has been in films such as 1996's The Birdcage, 1998's There's Something About Mary (where Cameron Diaz notoriously takes Ben Stiller's "hair gel"), and 2008's Marley & Me, starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. Under the direction of Miami's first couple, the Cardozo has been totally updated, replete with an intimate check-in counter that leads to a private courtyard and a neon-illuminated facade that has been restored to its 1930s splendor.
Built in 1939 , the Cardozo Hotel was named after, Benjamin Cardozo, one of the first Jewish jurors appointed to the US Supreme Court. Cardozo is part of the Art Deco District, recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect, Henry Hohauser, Cardozo showcases traditional art deco style, offering rounded lines, like the fender of a Studebaker. The hotel features keystone trim, made of dyed porous limestone.
Google rating: 4.2/5
Phone: +1 786-577-7600
Address: 1300 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Website: https://www.cardozohotel.com/
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The Marlin Hotel, which is one of the art deco Miami and South Beach's most beautiful buildings, is a South Ocean classic, perched on Collins Avenue just two blocks from the beach. This contemporary jewel is located at the heart of Miami Beach's famed retail, nightlife, and entertainment area, and has been fully refurbished to retain its timeless Art Deco charm while offering every modern luxury. The hotel has 33 tastefully decorated rooms and suites; award-winning Northern Italian food at Osteria Del Teatro; and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that is ideal for family holidays, romantic getaways, or business trips.
The building was erected in 1939, and designed by L. Murray Dixon, a principal architect whose vision defined Deco South Beach design. Nestled in the heart of the city's celebrated Art Deco District, The Marlin Hotel remains a signature South Beach landmark. In the 1990s, the hotel was transformed into a tropical retreat for some of the world's most renowned recording artists and performers. Music legends like Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Gwen Stefani, and many more have made their way to The Marlin to stay, play, and produce their music at the property's in-house recording studio. MRK's modern restoration revitalized the prominent property, adding state-of-the-art rooms and suites that anchor the hotel firmly in the present while embracing the history of the iconic location.
Google rating: 4.4/5
Phone: +1 305-695-3000
Address: 1200 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Website: https://www.themarlinhotel.com/ -
Laure Heriard Dubreuil opened The Webster's flagship location in 2009 at 1220 Collins Avenue in South Beach, Miami. Originally the Webster Hotel, the 20,000 square-foot Art Deco building was built in 1939 by architect Henry Hohauser. The Webster, who grew up in Paris and worked as a top merchandiser for Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent before founding The Webster, kept the name but reimagined the three-story interior as a women's and men's multi-brand luxury retailer designed with vibrant intimacy to resemble a residential space.
"The idea was a place where you can feel very comfortable," says Heriard Dubreuil of The Webster's concept. "It's a place to spend time. You arrive, you take off your shoes, you're at someone's house, or you're in your gigantic closet, and you can try everything." Rather than organize the store according to brand, Heriard Dubreuil merchandised it as if it were a personal wardrobe, mixing big brands with the emerging, arranging everything intuitively by mood, which was revolutionary at the time. Her instinctive, warm touch lured an impressive brand matrix, including Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Balmain, Lanvin, and Chanel, as well as loyal customers.
A decade after the Miami flagship opened, The Webster has expanded to six additional flagship locations in Bal Harbour, Houston, Costa Mesa, New York City, and Los Angeles, most recently Montecito at the Rosewood Miramar Beach as well as an outlet at Sawgrass Mills. Each store has its own distinctive energy, unified by Heriard Dubreuil's uncompromising vision of good energy, good fashion, good fun, and Miami's sunny spirit. The retailer has become a destination for exclusive collaborations with brands such as Paco Rabanne, Off-White, and Fenty and permanent partnerships with David Mallett and Joanna Czech, who operate studios out of The Webster's SoHo location.
Google rating; 3.3/5
Phone: +1 305-674-7899
Address: 1220 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Website: https://www.thewebster.us/
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The Tides South Beach is an iconic hotel located on Ocean Drive, just steps from the crystal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Miami’s most exciting dining and nightlife locations. Originally built in 1936, the hotel’s architecture is rich with Art Deco influences, creating a nostalgic environment for its unique brand of modern luxury. Tides features forty-five stylish luxury suites, all offering expansive ocean views. Spacious hotel accommodations range from oceanfront studio suites of 550 square feet to the 2,600 square foot Tides Suite. Tides is the ideal, deluxe destination for South Beach vacations, romantic getaways, business travel to Miami, and more.
L. Murray Dixon was one of the city’s most prolific architects of the Art Deco era, so it’s only fitting that the tallest Art Deco structure of the mid-’30s would be credited to him. At 12 stories tall, the Tides, which features nautical porthole windows, towers over its two- and three-story neighbors. In 2017, the hotel closed due to storm damage.
Google rating: 4.1/5
Phone: +1 305 604-5070
Address: 1220 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
Website: https://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury-hotels/miami-fl/the-tides-south-beach