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
- 833 6th Street
- 1210 Michigan Avenue
- 1825 Collins Avenue
- 1730 Jefferson Avenue
- 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue
- 321 Jefferson Avenue
- 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue
- 3611, 3621 & 3651 Collins Avenue
- 1700 Washington Avenue – Possible Designation of an Historic Site
- 2901-2911 Indian Creek Dr
ITEMS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED ON THE MARCH 11, 2025 AGENDA
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.
HPB24-0638, 1210 Michigan 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 total demolition of the existing single-family home and the construction of a new single-family home.
MDPL Position: We thank the applicant for reviewing the project design with our committee. While we are not opposing the proposed demolition, we lament the potential loss of a contributing single family home within the historic Flamingo Park neighborhood.
We understand the challenges posed by flooding and the existing structure’s condition, however, the proposed new building introduces a scale and massing that is incompatible with the historic character of the Flamingo Park neighborhood. The dramatic increase in height and floor-to-ceiling dimensions creates a structure that would tower over surrounding historic homes.
We encourage a design that maintains a more contextual scale with the existing neighborhood while addressing resiliency concerns.
HPB24-0643, 1825 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 partial demolition and renovation of the existing hotel building, site improvements and a variance from the minimum required setbacks for a detached sign.
MDPL Position: We support the project, subject to staff recommendations. We appreciate the continued investment into the contributing building designed by Albert Anis and Morris Lapidus.
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
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.
MDPL Position: 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.
MODIFICATIONS TO PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BOARD ORDER
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: 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.
NEW APPLICATIONS
HPB23-0571, 321 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 substantial demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new multi-family residential addition.
MDPL Position: We oppose the near-complete demolition of the contributing, historic building. While we appreciate the applicant’s efforts in refining the design, we still have strong concerns about the limited retention of the original building, and the lack of integration into the new structure. Such demolition, only preserving the front facade, is not the purpose for which this historic district was made. The significant increase in scale and incompatible design elements fail to honor the historic character of the neighborhood.
Previous MDPL Position [from July 9, 2024]: We oppose the near-complete demolition of a contributing, historic building. Such demolition – only preserving the front facade – is not the purpose for which this historic district was made. In addition, the proposed new construction appears to lack context. Fenestration, railings, and the overall massing are not in keeping with the historic elements of the site or its surroundings. We encourage the applicant to consider other examples where 1-story buildings were added onto, rather than this proposal which essentially destroys the historic nature of the site. In our opinion, saving a facade is not historic preservation.
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: 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.
HPB24-0610, 3611, 3621 & 3651 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 new residential and hotel development located at 3611 & 3621 Collins Avenue.
MDPL Position: We strongly oppose the total demolition of the historic Coral Reef and Patricia Hotels. The Patricia is a Roy France design and, just like the Versailles down the block is getting a complete renovation, this early example of Roy France’s work be given the opportunity to grace the streets of Miami Beach for another 100 years.
We encourage the applicant to return to their earlier concept that preserved the façades of these structures while allowing for new development behind. While the recently enacted state law preempting local review of demolition for coastal structures would allow for total demolition, we believe it would serve the community interest, and protect the integrity of the historic district to incorporate the facades into their development program.
We urge that this item be continued to allow for further exploration of alternatives to determine the fate of these significant historic structures.
HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS
HPB25-0648, 1700 Washington Avenue – 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 Jackie Gleason Theater located at 1700 Washington Avenue, as a local historic site.
MDPL Position: We strongly support the preparation of a formal historic designation report for the Fillmore Theater. This significant structure represents an important chapter in Miami Beach’s architectural and cultural history, originally designed by a distinguished team of local architects including L. Murray Dixon, Henry Hohauser and Russell Pancoast, and later transformed by Morris Lapidus.
The theater has played a central role in the cultural life of Miami Beach since its completion in 1951, hosting everything from symphony concerts and operas to conventions and iconic television broadcasts.
We urge the Historic Preservation Board to recognize the building’s architectural and cultural significance by recommending the start of the designation process.
DISCUSSION ITEMS AND PROGRESS REPORTS
HPB24-0626 a.k.a. HPB20-0379, 2901-2911 Indian Creek Dr. Update regarding property maintenance issues, fencing and the status of the building permit for the project
