South Beach architecture and photos of my boat tour
As you may know, this past weekend, I was in Miami at The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. The architecture of South Beach is very distinctive and if you love the Art Deco Style, a walk or drive through Miami’s South Beach, with its colorful streamlined buildings, will be a feast for your eyes. The origins of Art Deco can be traced back to 1901. With the death of Queen Victoria, the highly ornamented Victorian era ended. As a way of merging design with the new speed of technology, French decorators created bold and original works of all types, including jewelry, clothing, furniture, décor, and architecture.
In keeping with the Art Deco trend, during the 1930’s and 40’s, a group of architects began building hotels for the growing number of vacationers travelling to Miami. The structures had the characteristic rounded corners and geometric ornamentation, but they also included nautical themes, and floral and bird designs, and became known as “Tropical Deco.â€Â The buildings were mostly painted white and were popular with tourists for many years. Unfortunately, during the 50’s, the area fell on hard times and the once-glamorous hotels were terribly neglected. But, in recent years, thanks to a group of visionaries who felt the buildings were worth saving, many of these classic hotels have been fabulously restored and painted in beautiful, tropical colors. They’re fun to visit and fun to stay in.
Hi Martha--
Thanks for the tour of Miami---it looks like a really wonderful place to visit. The views of the retro/restored deco architecture from the water are truly spectacular.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | February 24th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Hi Martha,
Nice photos of Florida.
I would like to go slumming with you sometime Martha you always manage to pack in full days and nights with little time.
I am happy to be spending the day with you tomorrow ALL DAY LONG Martha ( well sort of - laugh) I will be in your studio audience for Thursday's (26th) shows . Be nice to my friend Jane (Seymour) on tomorrow's show LOL!
Maybe you will wear your double banned wrist watch (my favorite) remember I did win the bet on the WATCH question a couple of years back!
I am leaving beautiful California weather behind for dismal NY forecasts.
I am looking forward to seeing you again.
Better be on your toes!
Pam from California
P.S Look out NYC~
Posted by: Pam From California | February 24th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Hi Martha - Thanks so very much for taking us again - via your terrific photos - to a place many of us do not have the chance to visit - is so interesting and appreciated (and a special thank you for the wonderful, educational commentary that accompanies the pictures) Kind regards, Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Reichert | February 24th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I love your photo galleries! I can always live through you, Martha.
Posted by: Melissa Gutierrez | February 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
The architecture there is absolutely unique. My husband and I used to live in Miami...and you can't get that architecture anywhere else. It's one of my favorite things about Miami.
Posted by: Jenna Lang | February 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
How wonderful to see these sunny photographs and beautiful buildings. A real treat on a very grey rainy day here in England! Thank you Martha for the lovely pictures. I love your website and blog. Susie x
Posted by: Susie Parr | February 24th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Great pics! Did you get to sail by Rosie O'Donnells home? I like watching you and Rosie on the show. So funny!
Posted by: Julie | February 25th, 2009 at 2:55 am
.
First, we all need to meet Pam! I hope you will introduce her on Thursday's show as a loyal blog friend!
Second, your Miami pictures were wonderful to see. I have some endearing family memories from nearby Coral Gables. Your photos, particularly the lighthouse shot, have conjured up some Hemingway moments from the waters and streets of Miami, which in the 60's, broke open a sort of beatnik dream for artists in residence!
I'll pen you a memoir excerpt on Twitter. All but your photos' new architecture still calls up the scent of pipe and French beret!
Twitter Friend,
andreaandweims
.
Posted by: andrea and the weimaraners | February 25th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Martha
By the time you read this I begin my LONG journey to NYC. Two hour drive to small airport, short flight, 3 1/2 hour layover in LAX then direct flight to NYC arrive LATE but I will be ready for YOU tomorrow.
Weather for NYC still looks crummy- you can usually fix anything wish you had a say in the weather patterns lol!
Heading out the door ,everyone have a great week. I won't be online again here to torrment Martha until Monday.
Take care all and enjoy Martha.
Pam from California
P.S Martha be nice to my friend Jane!!
Posted by: Pam From California | February 25th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Martha,
You are so right!
Visitors to Florida see the remnants of a time when there were wide open spaces between motels, hotels, AIA and the beach.
I grew up in Florida and still heave over the precious and few historical landmarks that were bulldozed, just in my hometown alone; all this before preservation laws were enacted.
I remember the visiting the Keys in 1975; we were just about the only people there! Ha!
Everything's 'a changin'! I celebrate whole heartily the renovating and preservation of ALL structural landmarks. Besides, Art Deco was a happier time, and a building preserved is a memory at hand.
P.S. Oh, brother, I'm "bloglotizing" again!
Thanks, Martha
Posted by: tinay | February 25th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Dear Martha,
I LOVE your blog. I read it every day. Thank you for sharing with us. You lead the most interesting life and it's fortunate for us that you are willing to share.
Your loyal fan,
dann
Posted by: dann | February 25th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Martha, I wouldn't recommend a Florida stilt house for you. For one thing, you wouldn't be in it very long during a hurricane! Also: no plumbing! (Guess where it all goes. Directly into the eyes of the fishes below. Not terribly eco-friendly.) Francesca and Sharkey would go bonkers trapped on a floating hut like that and you know that Alexis would never, ever visit you! Ever! But if your editors happen to find a really nice one, it might make a fun addition to the September decorating issue of Martha Stewart Living!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | February 25th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Hi Martha,
You took some great pictures cruising down the Intracoastal Waterway; too bad your boat was too big to stop at Big Fish. From the street I think it is over the Brickell Avenue Bridge. It’s been years since I’ve toured Miami but we’ve always loved the architecture. It is nice to see your pictures with so many buildings restored. It has changed a lot down there since the biggest hurricane went through and I actually get lost when I visit now.
Now picture #1 is not a good example of how to plant traveler palms, which really aren’t palms they say but part of the banana family. They look so much nicer not clumped together like that which doesn’t allow their fronds to spread out like a fan.
I also want to say that I enjoyed seeing you in the hour long video on Business Week online. You mentioned you hadn’t done your autobiography yet – we’re waiting! (Smile.) Have a great day everyone. Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 25th, 2009 at 6:10 am
I'm a fan of art deco, and was surprised to find so much here in Tulsa when I moved here. As for Florida, I think it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't be an ideal resident. I value change of seasons far too much
On the show today you mention you had a bit of a hangover from too much bubbly. I wondered what your special cures or home remedies might be to beat it? Surly a lot of people would be interested in this!
Posted by: Kari | February 25th, 2009 at 6:35 am
I live here in Sunny Miami, right in the heart of Brickell (Financial District). Thanks for showing such a lovely side of my city, and for showing many parts that arent shown! Big Fish is a favorite of mine, and the relaxed atmosphere is the best to kick back, have some drinks and listen to music
Posted by: Caroline | February 25th, 2009 at 6:37 am
In reading Andrew's comments about the stilt houses, I did have to chuckle while seeing the pictures that you wanted one, Martha. (I said out loud, "are you CRAZY?!") Andrew has some excellent points that you might want to consider! [giggle] On the other hand, I'm SURE you would conjure SOME type of sophisticated decor for the dwelling, and even 'garden' on the decks - salt water wouldn't be good for irrigation, though... [giggle]
I enjoyed your enthusiasm at yesterday's (Tues, 2/24's) show opening...you were cute! - just seeing the real, true, chatty, unscripted YOU! I enjoy those times the most! I didn't know you were on a week's hiatus. I noticed there had been reruns (didn't know why!)...I could tell, too, that the new shows weren't live - heck, I'm just glad you're back with us!
When you tape tomorrow's (2/26's) show, you MUST find out where 'Pam from California' is in your audience! She IS a faithful follower, you know, and you'd make her day (and ours!) if you would seek her out! [grin] We'll be interested to hear HER adventures when she returns, and I'd venture to say that she WILL 'share'! (I think we ALL get a kick out of reading her posts - I know I do!)
Enjoy the upcoming springtime tease, Martha! In doing some (day)planning ahead this morning, I noticed that Spring returns on March 20th - I tho't it was always a date in April, so that was a real treat to know it's juuust around the corner!
Sunshine!
=^..^=
"To watch the corn grow, or the blossoms set; to draw hard breath over the ploughshare or spade; to read, to think, to love, to pray, are the things that make men happy."--John Ruskin
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | February 25th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Hi Martha, I love these photos of the Miami architecture and your wonderful boat tour. The buildings look absolutely stunning against the beautiful blue sky and water. The sky is the clearest I've seen in a long time. It appears to be smog free. I wouldn't mind living there, except for the hurricanes. The stilt houses are very unusual. I wonder how they stand up during a hurricane. Don't think I want to find out by being in one. We have gone from a week of lovely sunny weather to our usual wet and windy weather here in the Puget Sound area. Your Miami blog makes me want spring to come ASAP! Hope everyone has a great day. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 25th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Goodness did the City of Miami rename the Rickenbacker causeway???? the link to Key Biscayne where the lighthouse is and the Bill Baggs State Park --- the former home to Crandon Park Zoo-- now relocated and renamed the Miami metro Zoo. Pot Stinker really -- modern day Rum running of a square grouper sort.
Posted by: Hardboiled Egg | February 25th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Dear Martha,
Thanks for this Miami tour. I love Art Deco buildings and often hunt them out when I visit a new place. It is so good to see you also promoting this wonderful style of architecture.
Regards,
David
Posted by: David Thompson | February 25th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Nice tour of Miami. But, the stilt houses? I think I'd miss my yard, garden, flowers & pets running around too much to live in one. They were interesting pictures. Please bring back some of the warm weather to NYS! Oh, my daffodils are beginning to sprout, & I saw buds on some of my tree branches:) Signs of an early spring, I hope. I wonder if your pussywillow tree is showing the signs of spring yet....
Posted by: Sherry | February 25th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Stiltsville used to be a small, inhabited village. Though I'm not aware of when these "homes" were built, it is my understanding that they have been there for quite a long time. Hurricane Andrew destroyed a few but the remainder have held up quite nicely during the last few hurricanes.
Stiltsville is now part of Biscayne National Park. We've docked at a few and they're truly peaceful and fun. I am happy you had a chance to see them!
Posted by: aly | February 25th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hi Martha:
Just reviewed your blogs and photos of Miami and the Wine and Food Show.
Just wanted you to know you look beautiful in all the photos.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with me/us. I can live vicariously through you. But now I would really like to visit Miami and see all the Art Deco buildings there....who knew....!!!
Also nice to see the reporter from the Toronto Star, as I am from there myself. Cheers, Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth Franklin | February 25th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Ugh. would L-O-V-E to go to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival- dream come true! Great pics, and great narrative! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: LAL | February 25th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Jan,
The Rickenbacker Causeway is still the Rickenbacker Causeway in Key Biscayne. I'm happy to report there hasn't been a name change. The only thing that has changed on the Rickenbacker is the Miami Seaquarium monument by the causeway toll. The removed the menacing sharks and replaced them with tourist-friendly dolphins and divers.
Posted by: aly | February 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
You might enjoy visiting the older residential neighborhoods of Montevideo, Uruguay. There you will find some of the most beautiful Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world. And it is almost unknown outside of Uruguay.
Posted by: Jim S | March 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
There is an organization dedicated to saving Stiltsville!
http://www.stiltsville.org/
A lot of information on these historic structures is on this site.
Posted by: Denise S | March 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 am