MDPL’s Advocacy Committee has reviewed the following projects on the upcoming Historic Preservation Board agenda and offers our positions below.
Please note: the lack of a position on a project does not indicate support for or opposition to that project. Have a comment about a project you would like to share with our committee? Contact us.
To review the Historic Preservation Board Agenda, including public participation information: Click Here
- 7801 Atlantic Way
- 1760 Lenox Avenue
- 1445 Pennsylvania Avenue
- 749 Lincoln Road
- 1601-1627 Washington Avenue
- 624 Collins Avenue
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
HPB23-0572, 7801 Atlantic Way
Current Site:
Proposed Structure (Original Application)
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 July 11, 2023]: We appreciate the applicant taking the time to walk us through their proposed program. The new design is elegant. However, no attention appears to be given to the contributing historic home that exists on the site. Rather than explore a program that would honor the historic structure while allowing additional development on the site, the historic building has been overlooked as not being resilient or able to be preserved in any way whatsoever. We believe that more study is needed. There are ways to preserve the existing home through floodplain waivers and resiliency interventions.
HPB23-0593, 1760 Lenox 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 partial demolition and renovation of the existing single-family home, including the construction of attached additions and variances from the required setbacks, lot coverage and unit size.
MDPL Position: We are in full support of this project. We thank the owners for their thoughtful plan to add additional amenities to their historic home while making it more resilient for the future. We hope this inspires other property owners in the Palm View Historic District.
CONTINUED ITEMS
HPB21-0499, 1445 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 partial demolition, renovation and restoration of the existing building, the construction of a 1-story rooftop addition and one or more waivers.
MDPL Position [From September 12, 2023]: While we continue to have concerns regarding the visibility of the rooftop addition from Espanola Way, we are pleased that the applicant has worked to address concerns expressed by the board last year.
We very much appreciate the proposal to restore and renovate the property, in particular reintroducing the original finial at the corner. Understanding the changes from the applicant, we are now generally supportive of the project, subject to staff recommendations.
MDPL Position [From September 13, 2022]: MDPL has lamented the neglect of this building over many years, as is evidenced by walking around the building or viewing the photos in the application. The restoration and stewardship of this building is important – it is currently not being maintained according to the strict standards of the City of Miami Beach.
We have reviewed the project and very much appreciate the proposal to restore and renovate the property, in particular reintroducing the original finial at the corner.
However, we have two main concerns: first, regarding the rooftop addition – it does not appear to be sufficiently setback from Espanola Way, which has the potential of being visible and overwhelming to the historic structure when viewed from the siteline. We recommend a modification of the proposed design to better comply with the siteline guidelines.
Second, we are seriously concerned about the proposed change in hours of operation. This property currently is across from a school and in the middle of the Flamingo Park neighborhood. The impacts of a 2am outdoor bar operation can be significant to the adjacent neighbors. We have also received communication from Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association expressing their concerns with the variance. For these reasons, we recommend denial of the operating hours variance.
NEW APPLICATIONS
HPB23-0583, 749 Lincoln Road
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 installation of an artistic graphic mural.
MDPL Position: We support the proposal in line with City Staff recommendations.
HPB23-0588, 1601-1627 Washington 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 façade modifications.
MDPL Position: We support the proposal in line with City Staff recommendations. We would like to understand better how the color scheme of red awnings and champagne facade was chosen, and if other options have also been considered.
HPB23-0592, 624 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 the construction of a 1-story rooftop addition and design modifications to the building.
MDPL Position: We support the project in line with City Staff recommendations, including the retention of the central balustrade form. The rooftop addition is an example of how our historic buildings can be adapted and augmented for maximum resiliency.
