Hidden Treasures of Coral Gables



A thread based on architectural treasures found all over the beautiful city of Coral Gables, Florida.

The following are the ones I re-discovered which are based on the original Disneyesque international villages as planned by George Merrick in the 1920s.
Fewer than 80 of the 1,000 planned residences were built, but many of them are still standing.






French City Village

This is one of seven international villages that were built to add variety to the mostly Mediterranean-style city.








Dutch South African Village

One of my favorites. It is on Le Jeune Road at Maya Avenue.








French Country Village

Located on Hardee Road at San Vicente Street.








Chinese Village

An 8 unit village that stands out colorfully from behind a gated wall on Riviera Drive, just South of US 1.
A modern day group called The Villagers currently has a project in the works to restore these historic homesites.








Colonial Village

Also known as the Florida Pioneer village (Southern Colonial) stands today on Santa Maria Street bordering the Riviera Country Club golf course.








French Normandy Village

Located on LeJeune and Viscaya.








Also standing are the Italian Village, which is spread throughout an area located just south of Bird Road between Granada Boulevard and Riviera Drive.




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I've found these comments on the Florida Michelin Travel Guide:

"Beginning in 1925, several small thematic villages designed to reflect the architecture of China, Italy, South Africa, France
and the antebellum South added an exotic theatrical touch to Merrick's fantasy city.
To maintain quality and uniformity of design, all new construction, including paint color, was subject to a review board"



French City Village



Another French City Village home





Dutch South African Village

There are only 3 or 4 houses left from this village, if there were more. Their architectural elements are among the most interesting to observe.

This house was difficult to photograph because of the trees but I captured this amazing window.
Typical South African architecture in the middle of Coral Gables.



Beautiful, well designed entrance.



This wall has incredible architectural elements.



Another amazing wall of one of the houses of this village.





French Normandy Village

This is the only village located on a major city street. These houses face LeJeune Road.



Another house of this beautiful village.



and another one...



.

Alhambra Water Tower

This folly, built in 1925, was the work of Denman Fink who was George Merrick's artistic advisor.

The Granada Entrance

is a copy of the gate to Granada in Spain







Country Club Prado Entrance

complete with ornamental pillars, is the most elegant of the grand entrances









Douglas Entrance