Editors Note: The Barbara Baer Capitman archives “Historic Threads” project is partly sponsored by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the State of Florida.
By the 1950s, Miami Beach had become a run-down and abandoned version of its former glamorous self. Several once prestigious hotels that catered to famous celebrities and wealthy elites– Such as Josephine Baker, Al Capone, Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, and others, fell into disrepair and many were eventually demolished. The remaining hotels were converted into low-income and senior housing for retirees, veterans and immigrants.
That is, until Barbara Baer Capitman and Leonard Horowitz spearheaded the founding of the Miami Design Preservation League in 1976. The Art Deco District, which includes Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue, helped preserve and protect many of the remaining buildings that would have otherwise been torn down by developers. The hotels and buildings were renovated and repainted in order to bring them new life.
“Most buildings will tell you what color they should be,” He declared as he gave the old Friedman Bakery a new color scheme resembling that of a birthday cake. By then, Leonard Horowitz’ array of colorful pastels began to garner greater attention, as his work on the Friedman Bakery was featured on the November 1982 edition of Progressive Architecture.
Miami Beach experienced a period of hardship in the 1980s, characterized by high levels of crime and poverty that left residents too afraid to leave their homes. The city was virtually deserted, “Heaven’s Waiting Room”, it was nicknamed, with only the elderly venturing out to cautiously, but curiously watch the empty streets from their balconies and porches. However, the area’s stunning pastel colors and art deco architecture attracted Miami Vice producers Anthony Yerkovich and Michael Mann.
Miami Vice premiered on NBC-TV in September 1984, attracting millions of viewers worldwide to the scenery of Miami Beach. The show’s location scouts, inspired by Horowitz’s tropical colors, would approach building owners and request to repaint their dreary white buildings to match the colorful aesthetics of the show. Earth tones, shades of red and brown, were expressly forbidden from any formal debut on the show.
The show’s portrayal depicted the city with a nuanced complexity, capturing its rough edges while simultaneously showcasing its inherent charm and potential. As new wave of faces were enthralled by the grittiness, the beautiful backdrop of beaches and buildings, and the stylish, rugged appearance of James Crockett (played by Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (played by Philip Michael Thomas), with their iconic colorful Armani blazers and T-shirts that influenced fashion trends in the decade.
Local businesses renovated their buildings to attract tourists who wanted to see the landmarks featured in the show, many of which hadn’t seen young faces in decades.
“No other city gets to look as good for a whole hour. How much do you think it’s worth? I’m going to send Miami a bill.” — Miami Vice producer, John Nicolella.
Some may credit Miami Vice for ‘inventing’ the cultural facade of Miami Beach, for glorifying and inflating the city’s bad reputation at the time, but Miami Beach took that image and reputation and made it’s own. Now, the city boasts a massive tourist industry. It is an entertainment Mecca. The colors and the architecture remain an iconic feature that continues to attract millions worldwide, thanks to preservationists and to Miami Vice.
