The colorful buildings, original décor and elaborate details of the Art Deco Cultural District celebrate the unique history of an entire neighborhood in Miami Beach, Florida. Doing so has cultivated an attraction that residents and visitors have come to embrace in ways that positively impact the culture and economy of the entire city, all while preserving essential pieces of history.
Celebrating and Preserving Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco architecture is a modern take on neoclassical that reached its zenith in the 1930s. The style is marked by its characteristic bright colors, from pastel blues and pinks to bright oranges, vibrant yellows and more. Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District is made up of 800+ buildings and structures built between 1923 and 1943 that utilize this style.
The Miami Design Preservation League supports the Art Deco Museum that anchors the Cultural District. The organization preserves, protects, and promotes the architectural, cultural, social, and environmental integrity of Miami Beach and the surrounding areas. They offer walking tours on a regular basis as well as a shop that features unique products for sale, ranging from retro-inspired toys to posters to accessories. The organization also hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
Designated a National Register District in 1979, the historic buildings that define the Art Deco Cultural District are in addition to features like a memorial dedicated to Barbara Baer Cartiman, who led the effort to preserve the district, as well as the Clock Thermometer. Additionally, various businesses have directly utilized the “Deco” identity to enable a sense of connection with audiences. The entire Cultural District has also become a popular element of maps and guides to the city.
All of these developments highlight how many different ways the celebration of history can cultivate engagement in the present and future.
Rebirth Connected to the Past and Future
The one square mile area of the Art Deco Cultural District is not especially large or old when compared to other historic sites, but the principal architectural styles are significant on many levels. They have come to define the look and feel of the entire city that influenced other trends and developments, underscoring the importance of this history and the efforts to preserve it.
Doing so has led to an economic and cultural rebirth in Miami Beach and throughout the Art Deco Cultural District itself, with new investments in hotels, apartments and restaurants. These developments showcase what it can mean for history to define the past and future of an entire city.
