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Housing in Miami subjectId: 690773

Understanding the Guide

This guide is divided into comprised of housing typologies. The categories are Apartment Buildings, Single Family Homes, Hotels, Commercial Buildings, and Civic Buildings, each assigned a tab you can browse through, all located at the top. Descriptions of each category will be found in the respective tabs.

Each category will include examples of buildings that existed in the City of Miami before 1926, and, when available, include images and links to newspaper articles or the sources where the information was found.

Research Resources

Below, you will find resources that have been essential to the creation of this guide and that provide useful information, photographs and illustrations on and about Miami's architecture and beyond. The majority of the resources are available through the University of Miami Library system, others are external. We are making the effort to provide links for all resources. Look for the blue text hyperlinks.

Subject Specialist

Welcome to the City of Miami Architecture Guide!

In this Guide, you will be able to explore the early architecture of Miami. These resources are meant to offer an opportunity for you to explore how being such a young city, the architecture in Miami has changed and adapted to different events and circumstances. Currently dealing with a housing crisis, Architects in the city need to expand their knowledge and make an attempt at understanding how we got to where we are at, to be able to respond accordingly. Miami is not a generic city. It has grown in a very specific manner, marketing itself as a vacation city, but now faces the challenge of finding a stable identity, even if that identity is partially based on its frugality. The Magic City must sustain the desire to 'Keep bringing the world to Florida' while creating an environment where its permanent and temporary locals can live and thrive in, while keeping an identity and safeguarding the history of the place we call home.

The resources here available are meant to be used as an archive or collection of case studies to further analyze and study urban and architectural transitions. For this endeavor, there are no limits to the amount of samples that can be provided, and as good as our intentions are to provide thorough information, this is but the beginning of a process that will grow as more people become involved in completing and supplementing the existing content.

The intention of this project is to inspire conversations on the subject of Miami, to provide a place to admire --and criticize,-- how our architectural patterns have changed, evolved, been forgotten, been upgraded, all in advancement of a brighter future.

-- Created by Sebastian Serrano, B.Arch 2025 --

Resources

The following resources were used to create this guide, and are provided for anyone who is interested in doing research on their own, by studying sources that present information on the history of Miami, both immediately related to the architecture of the city, and indirectly, helping to understand the city's urban conditions and patterns, as well as social and cultural practices.

A variety of resources will be provided, from organizations and sites dedicated to explaining the history of our City, to journals and newspapers, to literary works about figures who lived and helped build the region.

University of Miami Library Digital Collections

FIU HistoryMiami South Florida Photograph Collection

Florida Atlantic University Digital Library

Miami-Dade Public Library System

MDPLS Digital Collections

Gleason Waite Romer Photograph Collection

Souvenirs of Miami: 100 years of Promotional Literature

Black Miami Dade Website

Sanborn Maps

To get a better understanding of Miami's development, explore the Sanborn Maps. Just fill out the State and City to check how Miami changed in time, from 1899 to the 1950s, as properties where sold and developed.

Sanborn Maps (United States)

Understanding Typological Studies

Typology:
Paris, Delhi, São Paulo, Athens

Typology:
Hong Kong, Rome, New York,
Buenos Aires

From Wilderness to Metropolis,
Miami Dade County

From Metropolis to Global City,
Miami-Dade County

Miami's Historic Neighborhoods,
Dade Heritage Trust

The Dade Heritage Trust preservation activity book : Dade County's early history through architectur

The Dade Heritage Trust preservation activity book : Dade County's early history through architecture

Miami by the Sea Series, Chamber of Commerce

https://scholar.library.miami.edu/promo/sea1.html

A Black Perspective

The African American presence in Miami is core to its cultural diversity. Since before the City's incorporation, and even in the incorporation vote, Miami's black population has helped form the city in a variety of ways. The resources in this category showcase some of the ways in which this happened before 1926, but also beyond.

The Black Archives

The Black Miami Documentary

Black Miami in the Twentieth Century, Marvin Dunn

A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes

The Beast in Florida: A History of Anti-Black Violence

Dr. Paul S. George's Books on Miami

Along the Miami River

George, Paul S., 1942-

2013

Little Havana

George, Paul S.

2016

Miami's Brickell Avenue Neighborhood

George, Paul S.&Casey Piket

2020

Jewish Miami Beach

George, Paul S.&Henry Green&Jonathan Nelson

2023

A Guide to the history of Florida

George, Paul S., 1942-

1989

A journey through time : a pictorial history of South Dade

George, Paul S., 1942-

1995

Florida, yesterday and today

George, Paul S., 1942-

1987

History Miami: Miami Moments Series

In this series of videos, HistoryMiami's resident historian Dr. George discusses several important events, people and conditions of the history of Miami. The series is composed of 15 videos, but below are only the ones considered most relevant to understanding pre-1926 Miami. You are invited to explore the entire series in HistoryMiami's Youtube Channel.

Resources Used

Following is a list of resources used to find the buildings hereby presented. Feel free to explore these sources yourself to get access to the original images or more specific information you may be interested in.

Miami Herald Archives

Florida Digital Newspaper Library

Florida Electronic Library

JSTOR

Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals (EBSCOHost)

Miami History

Apartment Buildings

Today, apartment buildings represent the main type for new developments in Miami. As the city has grown, the need for densification has represented itself through skyscrapers and large scale apartment buildings. The limitations stated in building codes make it seem as if this is the only profitable product developers can offer. This section of the guide will provide historical samples, many of which do not exist anymore, in an effort to explore the development of this type in the region.

In Miami, hundreds of buildings have disappeared in time, being replaced by newer structures, for different reasons and interests. The majority of these disappear without leaving anything to trace back to them. Conservation efforts in the city are a rather young initiative and in many ocassions cannot keep up with the velocity at which Miami grows. As an alternative, collections like this one, although only digital and most probably not enough, should attempt to guard the memories of those forgotten structures that once meant so much to the people who lived in them. Many do not necessarily offer any sort of architectural innovation or their valueis now outdated, you might argue, but may leave valuable lessons on vernacular architecture, architectural economics, and even sustainability in relation to place and time. The ability to see the evolution of a place through its architecture and through temporal comparisons can be essential for research, and that is the aim of this project.

The task of finding historical samples has not been easy due to the lack of preservation evident in our city, so this guide stands as a work in progress and will be updated periodically, as new information is found. Check back for more content on any building that caught your eye for its location, description or context. This list will grow as more information is found. If you would like to provide additional information on listed and unlisted buildings, come to the ARC or contact us.

Referenced Buildings

Chiquet Apartment Building (1911; also known as Chequete Apartments). 10th Street, opposite to St. Catherine's Convent; Three stories.

Edwards Building (Started on June 1911, finished in November 1911). Located on 12th Street, opposite to the Halcyon Hotel. Then in 232 12th St, on the corner with Ave C. The building had a ground level "Book Store", with apartments on the second and third floors. Store open since 1905.

J. Joseph Apartments (1911). Two stories; 12th Street, between Ave B and C; 25'x64'; reinforced concrete.

Mangos Apartments (1911). On 12th Street and Ave D Corner; Three Stories; 24'x85'; 25 apartments.

Arcade Hotel Apartments (1912). Hotel repurposed into Apartment House. On the Boulevard, opposite to the terminal dock.

H.D. Sutcliffe Apartment House (1912). 11th Street, near Ave A. Three stories; reinforced concrete; 24 apartments; built by Will A. Otter.

McCarthy Apartments (1912). East side of Ave B, between 8th and 9th St. Wood frame; Three Stories; 40'x100'; 29 apartments.

J.P. Toms Apartments (1912). Corner of 6th St and Ave C. Architect August Geiger; two stories; concrete; 30'x60'; ground floor store.

George E. Smith Apartments (1912). On Collins Property.

The Palms Apartments (1912). 128 9th St (later 212 NE 3rd St). Three stories; 12 apartments.

Ralston Apartment (1913). 12th St near Ave B. Three stories, reinforced concrete; 25'x65'; store on ground floor.

*Downtown Building Program Article*

A.A. Walsh Apartment House (1913). 9th St between Ave C and the bay, next to the Rutherford. Architect August Geiger; Three stories; "on a 3 foot foundation"; three story porch; 40'x76'.

The Chester Apartments (1913). 205 10th St.

H.E. Hoffman Apartments (1913). In Buena Vista, facing Biscayne Drive. Three stories; drug store on ground floor.

The Avondale Apartments (1914). 815 Ave B.

W.D. Newsome Apartments (1914). 7th St, between Ave C and B. Three stories; 12 apartments; reinforced concrete.

The Marion Apartments (1913). 135 9th St.

W.W. Dill Apartment House (1912). 708 Ave C. Remodelled from existing residence; 4 apartments.

Kelly Apartments (1915). Bay St and Ave B. Two stories; wood frame; 12 apartments; 84'x35'.

W.F. Miller Apartments (1914). 10th St, near Blvd. 6 stories; reinforced concrete; 50'x150'.

William C. Nelson Apartments (1914). Miami Beach. Two stories; 13 apartments; two stores in ground floor.

The Farr Building (1913). 219 12th St, next to Skaggs-Enloe. Three stories; 8 apartments; reinforced concrete; 25'x110'; ground floor store; courtyard?; Architect Munday

Ida J. Field Apartments (1916).

Piper Apartments (1915). Ave B and 1st St. Two stories; concrete block.

Alfresco Apartment House (b. 1916). Northwest corner of 6th St and Ave B. Later bought by Gautier.

Perry Apartment House (1915). 6th St and Ave C. Two stories; store on ground floor.

Sundial Apartments (1913). 1111 Ave A. Phillips Brothers Hardware store on ground floor.

C.M. Bush Apartments (1916). 11th St and Blvd. Three stories; 12 apartments; concrete.

The Arvilla Apartments (1913).

James F. Olmstead Apartment House (1916). On Fort Dallas Park, to cost $15,000.

W.H. Chaille Apartments (1914). 7th St and Ave D. Two stories; 8-10 rooms; 5 stores on ground floor; 70'x100'.

Dr. Carleton Vaughn Apartment House (1916). In Ft. Dallas Park. Three stories; 6 apartments; concrete and hollow tile.

W.R. Butler Apartments (1915). Ave C and 3rd St. Two stories; concrete.

Thompson Apartments (1915). 13th St, near Ave G. 2 apartments; Architect Edward A. Nolan.

Lunham Apartments (c.1917). In Riverside.

Christiansen Brothers Apartment House (1915). 8th St, between Ave D and E, lot 27, block 77. Two stories; concrete; store on ground floor.

Dallas Lodge (1916). Ave C and 14th St. 16 rooms.

Duval and Adams Apartment House (1916). Park Street, Miami Beach. 8 apartments.

Mary Brickell Apartments (1916). On Brickell Point.

Mrs Loflen Apartments (1916). 9th St.

Carl Holmer's Riverside Apartments (1917). Riverside, 12th St, between Ave L and M, lot 70, block 8. Three stories; 18 apartments; reinforced concrete; 3 large stores on ground floor.

C.K. Fried Apartments (1917). W Central Ave.

Waldin Apartments (1916). Ave B and Rickmers St. Two stories; 8 apartments; reinforced concrete

William T. Flowers Apartment House (1916). Ave E, near 8th St.

Fisher Apartments (1916). Lincoln Road. Three stories; 12 apartments; reinforced concrete; 57'x104'; Architect August Geiger.

Ralston Bros. Apartment House (1919) 12th St, between Ave A and B. Five stories; basement; five stores on ground level; central arcade.

W.R. Shipman Apartments (1917). North side of 9th St.

Anderson Apartments (1916). 11th St.

Austin Hall Apartment House (1917). Corner of 18th St and Ave D, south side (1814 Ave D).

Toledo Apartments (1916). Miami Beach.

Ward Court Apartment House (1917). Miami Beach, "600 ft north of Collins casino". Two stories; 26 apartments; Architect W.C. DeGarmo.

Belcher Apartment House (1917). Miami Beach. Three stories; 20 apartments; concrete blocks and stucco; 120'x50'; Colonnial Style; close to Ward Court.

Lafayette Apartments (1918). 716-718 10th Street, facing City Park.

Waddell Apartments (1917). 11th St and Ave D.

Pratt Apartments (1918). Miami Beach.

Merwil Apartments (1918). Corner of First St and Ave B.

Great Sacrifice Apartment House (1918). 26 apartments; brick

Ritz-Miami Terraces (1918) *

Rio Vista Apartments (1918). 632-634 12th St.

Abel Court Apartments (1918). Corner of Ave B and Rickmers St.

Argyle Apartment House (1918). 10th St, between Ave C and B. Four stories high; 70 apartments; U-shaped, with central court; Architect E.A. Nolan; property leased from R.D. Chaquette (potentially owner of Chiquet Apartments).

Afremow Apartments (1918). Biscayne Dr and Parrott St. Three stories;12 apartments; reinforced concrete and hollow tiles; Architect A.E. Lewis.

Fowler Apartments (1918). 1019 12th St.

C.L. Craig Apartment House (1918 addition). 10th St, between Ave G and H. Three stories.

Bayview Apartments (1918 addition). 132 9th St.

C.H. Ward Apartments (1918). Ave D, north side, near Waddell St. Third C.H. Ward apartment house.

C.H. Ward Frame Apartments (1918). Corner of Ave D and Waddell St. Two stories; wood frame. Might be same as above.

J.D. Girtman Apartments (1918). 9th St, near Ave C. Later sold to Max Dubler. Managed by Frank T. Budge Co.

W.J. Lee Apartment House (1919). 9th St, between Ave B and Blvd

John Frohock Apartments (1918). 8th St and Ave D.

A.D. Young Apartments (1918). In Bayside Park.

W.B. Brickell Apartments (1918). 20th St and Biscayne Bay. Three stories; 12 apartments, plus 10 guest rooms; reinforced concrete and tile roof; 185'x50'. $50,000.

Field Apartments (1918).

Fort Dallas Apartments (1917). In Fort Dallas Park. Three stories; 18 apartments; steel and cement.

Chapman Building (1919). 519 12th St. Three stories; 10 apartments. Ground floor offices and warerooms.

Apartments at Royalton Hotel

Walter Jensen Apartment House

R.H. Mann Apartments

Krauz Apartment House

Bates Apartment House

Songer Apartments

Dickson Apartment House

Cleveland Apartments

Flanders Apartments