Beth Kipnis

Coral Gables

Coral Gables is known as The City Beautiful with good reason. What is today one of the premiere places to live and work in South Florida was the vision of George Merrick in the 1920s. Merrick conceived, designed, and began building the meticulous infrastructure of Spanish Colonial-style architecture, broad tree-lined streets, fountains, esplanades, and plazas that are the soul of the Gables. 

Coral Gables enforces strict building and zoning codes, helping maintain the original Mediterranean-style theme in the majority of homes, condominium complexes, office buildings and shopping centers.

Two well-known landmarks in the heart of Coral Gables are listed on the National Registry of Historical Places, the Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool. Both were built during that time of initial development, and since their opening have thrilled thousands of people annually. The University of Miami is located here.

The Gables’ vibrant downtown is centered around Miracle Mile, the stretch of Coral Way (SW 22 Street) between Douglas and LeJeune Roads. It boasts over 150 multinational corporations, some of Miami’s finest dining, and shops including bookstores, galleries, wedding boutiques, and home furnishings. The upscale Village of Merrick Park between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and LeJeune Road at U.S. 1. is the latest shopping destination with elegant stores (think Jimmy Choo, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Tiffany) anchored by Neiman-Marcus and Nordstrom.

From the original George Merrick designed northern area to the more recent bayfront developments of gated estates, Coral Gables really has something for eveyone. It deserves to be called The City Beautiful.