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De Soto Fountain (1924), DeSoto Plaza, Coral Gables, FL, USA

Miami est. 1896, pop. 2.6MM • Coral Gables est. 1925, pop. 50K

 

• named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto • designed by artist/illustrator Denman Fink (1880-1956) & landscape architect Frank M. Button (1866-1938), designer of Lincoln Park, Chicago & grounds of James Deering's Miami estate, Villa VizcayaThe Suburb Beautiful -Miami Herald, 17, Nov., 1921

 

c. 1925 photo • 1965 photo

 

• city of Coral Gables (1925) created by Duxbury, MA transplant George E. Merrick (1886–1942) on family's 3K acre plantation • Merrick's vision of a "Riviera of the Tropics" influenced by City Beautiful Movement • ~$100MM spent on development • one of the 1st planned communities in US

 

• unifying theme was "castles in Spain made real," expressed in "Mediterranean Revival" architecture, a term said to have been coined by Merrick cousin, architect H. George Fink (1891-1975) • the French/Italian inspired architecture was, “a combination of what seemed best in each, with an added touch of gaiety to suit

the Florida mood.” -George Merrick

 

• Merrick's team: architects, landscape planner, artistic advisor, real estate officer, engineers • Supervisor of Color Phineas Paist (1873-1937) became supervising architect, responsible for ensuring aethetic consistency through codes, established Board of Architects Review Panel that still functions • Paist bioPhineas Paist & the Architecture of Coral Gables (pdf)

 

• opened with strong sales, Merrick invested profits in expansion, founded U. of Miami • 1926 Florida Land Bust broke Merrick • removed from Coral Gables commission • moved to Matacumbe Key to run wife's resort • returned to Gables to be county postmaster 2 yrs. before death

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Uploaded on March 3, 2015
Taken on August 19, 2014