MDPL’s Advocacy Committee has reviewed the following projects on the upcoming Historic Preservation Board agenda and offers our positions below. Have a comment about a project you would like to share with our committee? Contact us.
Please note: the lack of a position on a project does not indicate support for or opposition to that project. To review the Historic Preservation Board Agenda, including public participation information: Click Here
- 1800 Michigan Avenue
- 1730 Jefferson Avenue.
- 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue.
- 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue.
- 1826 Collins Avenue.
- 7305 Collins Avenue.
- 3193 Royal Palm Avenue.
- 3193 Royal Palm Avenue.
- 1300 Lenox Avenue.
- 833 6th Street
ITEMS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED ON THE JUNE 17, 2025 AGENDA
HPB24-0641, 1800 Michigan Avenue.
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the total demolition of the existing single-family home and the construction of a new single-family home.
MDPL Position [from June 17, 2025]: We strongly oppose the proposed demolition. This appears to be a case of demolition by neglect, where the owners are intentionally allowing the property to deteriorate to justify demolition. Despite an engineer identifying holes in the roof months ago, the owners have failed to file permits or even place a tarp to prevent further damage. The owners refuse to sell individual lots and will only sell them together as a development opportunity, revealing their true intentions. If aging concrete and standard maintenance issues such as moisture intrusion justify demolition, then virtually every historic property in the city becomes vulnerable. This would set an extremely dangerous precedent.
We support the staff recommendation to defer to July, but only if the owners are required to immediately secure the structure and make it watertight.
HPB24-0632, 1730 Jefferson Avenue.
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the partial demolition and renovation of the existing home and accessory buildings including the construction of attached additions and variances from the required setbacks, lot coverage, unit size and open space requirements.
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the partial demolition and renovation of the existing home and accessory buildings including the construction of attached additions and variances from the required setbacks, lot coverage, unit size and open space requirements.
MDPL Position: [from June 17, 2025] We continue to have serious concerns about the destruction of original architectural features, particularly the concrete eyebrows. Despite clear direction from the HPB at its April meeting to preserve the historic facade, the applicant has again proposed demolition and alteration of the defining elements of this protected Art Deco structure. We oppose elevating the eyebrows above their original location, squaring off the rounded Art Deco styling, and replacing concrete elements with aluminum or metal materials. The proposed lighting changes are incompatible with the style of the neighborhood. This is one of only a few remaining significant Art Deco homes in South Beach, and these alterations fundamentally compromise its historic integrity. We believe these design changes should be denied and the Art Deco facade must be preserved in its original form.
MDPL Position [from April 22, 2025]: We appreciate the investment in this contributing single family home in the historic Palm View neighborhood. However, we have concerns about modifications to the original architectural features, particularly the removal of the distinctive “racing stripes” on the façade and changes to the original eyebrows. We support staff recommendations to preserve these character-defining elements. We also have concerns about the proposed lighting fixtures and front gate styling, which should be more compatible with the historic character of the home.
We encourage the applicant to work with staff to ensure that any modifications respect the architectural integrity of the original structure.
HPB25-0647 a.k.a. HPB 7431, 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Current Site
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a modification to a previously issued Certificate of Appropriateness for the after-the-fact demolition of the previously existing buildings on the site. Specifically, the applicant is requesting the deletion of Condition C.1. of the final order.
MDPL Position [from April 22, 2025]: We oppose the request to delete the condition limiting the square footage of any new development on this site. This condition was put in place after the original structure was demolished by emergency order. The property was purchased with this restriction in place, and removing it now would set a dangerous precedent for other properties in historic districts where demolition by neglect has occurred. We must maintain consequences for demolition by neglect to preserve the integrity of our historic districts.
HPB24-0618, 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a multi-family residential building on a vacant lot including one or more waivers.
MDPL Position [from June 17, 2025]: We have concerns about the proposed design for the new building. The boxed-out windows and roof design are not compatible with the neighborhood character. The overall design should better reflect the architectural context of the surrounding area.
MDPL Position [from April 22, 2025]: Considering our stance on the previous application, we are neutral on the project, but support staff recommendations. We are particularly concerned about the railings. We encourage more contextual railing designs that better reflect the historic character of the district.
HPB25-0650, 1826 Collins Avenue.
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for total demolition of the existing building.
MDPL Position: We are concerned about the replacement structure that will be built following the demolition. While this is a non-contributing structure, and we are told the automated garage was problematic from the beginning, we remain deeply concerned about the scale and appropriateness of what will replace it, given the context of the historic district. The rumored live local project, depending on the height, size, and scale, could be incompatible with the neighborhood character.
HPB25-0651, 7305 Collins Avenue
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior modifications including but limited to the introduction of a new shade structure, an outdoor bar counter and a mural, and a variance to exceed the hours of operation for an outdoor bar counter.
MDPL Position [from June 17, 2025]: While the tiki-style structure doesn’t quite fit the character of North Beach or the existing building, we support this proposal as it will bring business to the area and does not involve demolishing any structures. The temporary nature of the addition, which can be removed in the future, addresses our concerns about compatibility.
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
HPB25-0659, 3193 Royal Palm Avenue.
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for construction of an attached addition to an individually designated historic single-family home, including setback variances.
MDPL Position: We support this thoughtful addition to this individually designated L. Murray Dixon home from 1934. This project demonstrates how additions can complement rather than compete with original architecture. The design integrates well with the existing structure. We commend the property owners for their voluntary historic designation and encourage other property owners to follow this example of historic preservation.
HPB25-0655, 3193 Royal Palm Avenue.
Current Site
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting the Historic Preservation Board’s recommendation for a single-family ad valorem tax exemption for an addition to a renovated and restored individually designated historic single-family home.
MDPL Position: We support the ad valorem tax exemption for this addition. This project serves as a good model for encouraging historic designation and thoughtful preservation. We hope this encourages other property owners to designate their historic homes. We would also appreciate if the property owners would consider trimming their heritage hedges to a level where the neighborhood can appreciate this beautiful example of Art Deco residential architecture, especially given the public investment through the tax exemption.
HPB25-0646 a.k.a. HPB21-0482, 1300 Lenox Avenue.
Current Site
Proposed Structure
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
An application has been filed requesting modifications to a previously issued Certificate of Appropriateness for the partial demolition, renovation and restoration of the existing single- family home, including the construction of attached and detached additions and variances from the required setbacks, open space, lot coverage and retaining wall regulations. Specifically, the applicant is requesting design and variance modifications.
MDPL Position: We agree with staff concerns regarding the window proportions and support the recommendation that the windows be modified to respect the existing horizontal banding consistent with the original design. The proposed windows extending beyond the banding are inappropriate for this contributing structure. While we understand that the applicant has withdrawn their proposed changes to the previously approved rear accessory building, and they are not under review, we note our continued concern that the design is not appropriate for the historic context of the Flamingo Park neighborhood.
HPB24-0639, 833 6th Street – Possible Designation of an Historic Site.
Click to view the full City of Miami Beach Staff Report
A presentation by the City of Miami Beach Planning Department to the Historic Preservation Board of a Preliminary Evaluation and Recommendation Report relative to the possible designation of the South Shore Community Center located at 833 6th Street, as a local historic site.
MDPL Position [from December 17, 2024]: We enthusiastically support the designation of 833 6th Street, the South Shore Community Center, as a Historic Site. This significant structure, designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus, has long served as a community gem. We have worked collaboratively with stakeholders over the years to preserve this important building and are pleased to see it receiving formal recognition of its historic significance within our district.
