Category: Gables History
Deering Celebrates 100
Just as George Merrick could not have brought “The City Beautiful” to life without Phineas Paist, Charles Deering could not have brought the StoneHouse to life without Paist. The tall cake with an iconic “100” topper festively stands as a marker of…
Biltmore Operator Seeks To Increase Profits At Taxpayer Risk & Expense, While Questioning Need For Public Process And Participation
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in June of 1996, the Biltmore has seen many peaks and valleys throughout its 96 year history. The Biltmore’s first 16 years were storied ones. Hollywood elite, royalty, President Franklin D. Roosevelt…
Updated: Biltmore Covers Up Signs, After Illegally Charging For Parking
The Biltmore Hotel is a City-owned property being managed by Seaway Hotels Corporation. Over the last few weeks reports came in to City Hall about the Biltmore implementing a pay to park system on the surface parking lot adjacent to…
After Signing A 3-Month Lease Extension, Burger Bob’s Closes Doors Early
The lease extensions for Burger Bob’s were a community effort. Members of the community rallied behind owner, Bob Maguire, and his team led by Rita Tennyson. Over the course of last summer, community members pleaded with the City to extend…
Follow Me To The One On Sunset
Just six months after Swensen’s closed its doors after 44 years, Coral Gables has a new restaurant at that is sure to bring the nostalgia back! “The One On Sunset” opened its doors the last week of October at the…
Gondola Building Collapse A Sign Of Larger Issues
I will preface this article by stating that there have been welcomed changes at City Hall and a new focus over the last six months. The election of the new Mayor and Commissioners has placed staff on notice that the…
Opinion: Florida Greats – John Volk and 21 Casuarina Concourse
Built between 1958 and 1965, 21 Casuarina Concourse celebrates its 63rd birthday this year. The residence was designed by John Volk for Mr. & Mrs. Swenson and constructed of CBS at a cost of $250,000. As a point of comparison,…
Young At Heart, Old In Spirit, Local Historic Preservation Group Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
On a Sunday in September, the Board of Directors of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables invited friends and benefactors to a celebration to mark several milestones, one being the group’s 30th anniversary. The event took place at the…
Coral Gables Merrick House’s Doc Dammers Day To Take Place October 24
One hundred years ago this November, nearly 5000 people showed up on George and Eunice Merrick’s front lawn for the first hugely successful land auction in what would become the City Beautiful. The Coral Gables Merrick House is telling this…
Beloved Community Leader, Edwina Prime, Laid To Rest
On September 14th, one of the strongest voices for the Lola B. Walker Homeowner’s Association, Edwina Prime, passed away. Born Edwina Winifred Marie Davies on November 24, 1935 in Nassau, Bahamas, Prime recounted in Vizcaya Museum’s Documentary, Black Voices, her…
