Miami architecture has been at the forefront of Chic and Nouveau since its inception dating back to Carl Fisher and his dreams of what Miami would be. Its newness and bold look has been evident through the eras, never the same, always changing and ever adapting to its surroundings. Its visual difference is unlike every other city and noticeable from building to building and its skyline forms a kaleidoscope of innovative style which is candy to the eyes creating an ambiance of function and pleasure for people who live there and for the tourist Mecca it has become.
In its palm fringed avenues with scantily dressed residents Miami has transformed into the dream commission of world known designers particularly in the downtown and beach areas. The buildings are lively with airy and spacious connections becoming world renown and are constantly reinventing themselves while waiting on hold to its cultural influence.
Carl Fisher got the credit for Miami Beaches’ adaptation of Mediterranean architecture and soon after architects influenced by the Art Deco movement of Europe moved to the Magic city to apply their designs to the tropical feel and look of the city. top Miami architects The buildings became streamlined with a nautical flair that accompanied the sea, sun and surf. The hum drum of the past was out and the newest and bold became its signature. The materials of the past were put aside for a more recent and lighter look with the usage of Stucco, Terrazzo and glass to name a few.
From the Mangrove swamps and Palm, Pine, and live Oak forests Miami was transformed into an aesthetic paradise dreamed up from the minds of innovative and forward thinking designers willing to forget about the norm. Miami’s architecture wasn’t only functional but became visually sensual to take pleasure from at every turn which brought tourists in by the millions creating its well known pedestrian atmosphere.
Recently Miami’s architecture using its resident icons, the Fontainebleau Hotel and the Eden Roc were renamed – MiMo – for Miami Modern. But in this modern age of travel and comfortable access too many destinations, and the economical collapse of the 70’s and 80’s Miami lost its luster and some of its influence. In the late 70’s Miami’s Art Deco district of the past was placed on the National Historic Registry and the region was restored to prominence rendering it Chic and shifting thought back to the Magic City, once more bringing back people and value to the once forlorn area which had fallen into decay.
Thanks partly to a new visually vibrant television show called “Miami Vice” that featured Miami as its backdrop, the town was revitalized and it cut back relevance and international attention, and the folks came running to Miami once again.
Pastel colored buildings and mirrored towers became what individuals considered if they considered Miami. It had been edgy and experimental and a joy for all to gazed upon it.
Nevertheless the Magic Cities architecture wasn’t done, and through the 80’s and 90’s it had been evolving once more and a large push to designate more areas as Historical was created and eventually named 11 more as such.
Miami is a city which has always put civic pride first, thus designers have incorporated the indoors with the outdoors. Many world famous architectural firms such as Herzog and de Meuron to name one have helped change the landscape and look of the Magic City. For years the town committed itself to reclaiming public spaces like Lincoln Road in Miami Beach which became an outdoor living space for folks to take pleasure from shopping while connecting with Mother Nature.
Downtown Miami’s effervescent skyline meshed residential buildings using its multifaceted cultural makeup rendering it a spot to take pleasure from with all your senses and a genuine certainly one of a form destination.
The Miami art Museum is a superb exemplory case of innovative design and is scheduled to open in 2013. It has incorporated large balconies with spacious outdoor spaces and multiple levels adding once more to the wonders of the city’s innovative designers rendering it unique in a world of copycat designers.
The economic crisis which has gripped the entire world today has made waterfront properties of once out of reach viable for purchase and developing, and Miami has changed into a prime position for developers again.
A Malaysian firm recently purchased the land surrounding the Miami Herald building and is planning on developing a 3 billion dollar complex that may once more change the face area of the Magic City in a new, innovative, and eye catching way incorporating residential, shopping, and public areas on the waterfront with spectacular views of the town and ocean beyond.
A fresh and exciting band of designers are actually building in Miami for the first time, and they’re not attempting to recreate the Art Deco designs or the MiMo features of years past, but are adding to the skyline with a Latin American flavor and tropical feel. It won’t be the glitzy forms of yesteryear but a simple balance which is uniquely Miami, taking under consideration its cultural mix and paying much more attention to detail as opposed to flash and adapting its designs more to the city’s tropical surroundings and feel.