A Year in Review
Annual Meeting January 26, 2025
Local Landmark
Coral Gables Congregational Church

What a lovely afternoon. A perfect setting to celebrate the importance of historic resources and their preservation. As one reflects on life and what is truly important, one can agree that historic preservation continues to matter.

Thank you to Mr. Dennis Rodrigues, Business Manager at
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
for his kindness and wonderful hospitality.

2025 BOARD MEMBERS were presented.

16 –  HPACG leadership reached out to the World Heritage USA regarding the steps/process required in pursuing nomination for the City of Coral Gables as candidate for World Heritage honors. [Pending]
24 – Historic Preservation Board Meeting – Continued to advocate on behalf of the historic City Plan opposing the vacating of a public alley and the abandonment and vacation of a portion of University Drive. As per Coral Gables Historic City Plan, “alleys” are one of several protected historic resources.
28 — Annual Meeting 2024 – HPACG presented its “Friends of HPACG” Award to Alex and Marta Silva who truly enriched the “cultural tapestry of our society.” Their dedicated, respectful restoration of their 100-year old home make them true friends of HPACG.

February
7 — Craft Section Study – HPACG, in partnership with the Miami Villagers, sponsored the study by HPACG member Dr. Brett Gillis. Dr. Gillis presented a well-documented PowerPoint. Hosted at the Coral Gables Library.
20 —Tertulia #10 – “Coral Gables’ Literary Roots in the Writings of Washington Irving” Presented by the late Howard Berman, Washington Irving Scholar. Chaired by Brett Gillis.
21— Historic Preservation Board Meeting — continued to advocate on behalf of the historic City Plan opposing the vacating of a public alley and the abandonment and vacation of a portion of University Drive. As per Coral Gables Historic City Plan, “alleys” are one of several protected historic resources. HPACG HAS BEEN OPPOSING THIS PROJECT SINCE INCEPTION AS IT MADE ITS WAY THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, P&Z BOARD, AND CITY COMMISSION

March
14 —Cover Feature in CORAL GABLES NEWS

April
16 — City Commission Meeting Continued to advocate on behalf of the historic City Plan opposing the vacating of a public alley and the abandonment and vacation of a portion of University Drive. As per Coral Gables Historic City Plan, “alleys” are one of several protected historic resources. Sadly, the Commissioners voted 5-0 to APPROVE all zoning changes including the vacation of the historic alley.
22 — Florida Trust for Historic Preservation “11 to Save” HPACG nominated The Garden of Our Lord.
28 — “Destination Series” and fundraiser at Indian Creek Country Club with special guest Andrea Taylor, granddaughter of 1930s starchitect Maurice Fatio and club architect. An exclusive one-of-a-kind experience!
29 – One-year Countdown toward April 29 2025

May      National Preservation Month
7– City Commission Meeting – HPACG advocated to AFFIRM the Historic Preservation Board’s decision to grant historic designation to 1221 MILAN.  Sadly, the Commissioners voted 5-0 to OVERRIDE the decision of the Historic Preservation Board that granted historic landmark designation to the property.
29 — DOCOMOMO –US National Symposium hosted by UM SOA HPACG proud sponsor. HPACG President served on Symposium Host Committee/co-led a tour of Coral Gables “Moderns.” National exposure.

June
3 — Celebrated [in partnership with the City of Coral Gables] the fourth annual Founder’s Day in commemoration of Merrick’s birth anniversary. The event was hosted at the Coral Gables Merrick House with special guest speaker the late Howard Berman, who made a memorable presentation on the book Tales of the Alhambra and its connection to Merrick and Coral Gables. [The official birth date of “June 3” date was officially recognized by unanimous resolution in 2022. G.-9. 22-3968 A Resolution of the City Commission recognizing June 3rd as “Founder’s Day in Coral Gables” in honor of Coral Gables Founder George E. Merrick.]
6 —Teen angel rescues tiles. Returns them 50 years later. A media favorite! HPACG President plays role in story connecting people places and things.

July — Centennial Website Profile – HPACG was included in the City’s centennial profile online. 100coralgables.com

August
27— City Commission Meeting – HPACG advocated for the restoration of City Hall to include hiring an expert in conservation/historic preservation, not a contractor; plans to be presented to the Historic Preservation Board for review. Additionally, HPACG successfully advocated for a Resolution to protect and preserve the City Hall original windows and support their restoration with historic preservation oversight.
Also, advocated on the importance of protecting the “historically significant” bank building at 2701 Ponce de Leon.  And requested some type of protective covenant for the building. The original 1924 structure was designed by Phineas Paist. The replicated structure was by architectural firm Ferguson, Glasgow, Schuster. The building’s historical footprint is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

September

October 
8 — City Commission Meeting – HPACG advocated for a proposed Black History Museum in Opa-locka and La Feria de Sevilla to move from Key Biscayne to Coral Gables beginning in March 2025.
18 — “Burger Bob’s” HPACG is supporting a “review for designation” application for the Golf Pro and Snack Shop [a.k.a Burger Bob’s] as a local historic site under the criteria “exemplifies the cultural, economic and/or social trends of the community.”
22 — City Commission Meeting – HPACG joined a proposal for Coral Gables Centennial Concert at Venetian Pool presented by Orchestra Miami
23 — Passing of longtime and cherished HPACG member Rabbi Howard A. Berman [June 21, 1949 – October 23, 2024]
27 — George Giving Society Benefactor Event hosted at a historic home with a rich community history. Donors and friends were honored for their contributions and leadership.

November
7 — Coral Gables Bazaar The third annual “fun”raiser hosted at one of the City’s 1960s modern mavens. Lots of vintage and art goodies. Chaired by Brett Gillis.
12 — City Commission Meeting – HPACG advocates in support of a remedy to restore the Biltmore Hotel’s lower lobby [and all other affected areas] to their historically-significant 1926 design aesthetics “true to the intent of its original designers” and sympathetic to the character and authenticity of the 1926 “Gatsby-era” hotel — a national landmark.  [Continuing]
21 — Give Miami Day “Our Way” Thank you to all who participated!

December           End-of-year Appeal

AND TO CLOSE THE CIRCLE…

LOOKING AHEAD 2025
HPACG & the City’s Centennial Year

* A Royal Visit is in the works! Twenty-five years ago, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia, visited Coral Gables during the city’s 75^th anniversary in honor of our city’s founder George Merrick’s “contribution to Spanish heritage.”  Merrick, the visionary behind Coral Gables, used the phrase “Castles in Spain” to describe his ambitious plans for the city one hundred years ago.
* A Centennial Concert presented by Orchestra Miami tentative date in December to be held in the Venetian Pool as has been tradition since founding of city.
* A couple of Tertulias are being planned
* Launch of new book by Carbonell & Fitzgerald “CORAL GABLES: The Moderns”
* Proposed! Historical Plaque marking Merrick’s founding of UM

Preservation is not just about saving old buildings it is now an important component in saving our planet.

NOT ONLY IS DEMOLITION BAD FOR PRESERVATION, DEMOLITION IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
According to a study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the benefits of re-using and renovating buildings outweigh the benefits of constructing new energy-efficient structures. To mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, this study found that “building re-use can avoid unnecessary carbon outlays and help communities achieve their near-term reduction goals.”  Not to mention it contributes to landfills, the concrete not being recycled, and running out of sand used for glass and concrete production. Note: It is largely accepted that re-purposing older buildings is more environmentally friendly than demolishing and rebuilding because the amount of fuel burned in demolition is staggering.

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDY BUT ALSO ECONOMICALLY-FRIENDLY
According to the American Institute of Architects, reusing structures reduces embodied carbon by 50-70%. And a 2016 study found that adaptive reuse projects cost less per square foot than new construction.  “Preserving historical elements of existing structures and reducing our environmental impact is something we always strive for. Reduction of embodied carbon and any realized cost savings associated with these activities are a bonus.”

IN 2025 LET’S CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE—for preservation of our cultural patrimony and preservation of our planet

HOW?

(1)     DUES. Join or Renew; http://historiccoralgables.org/join-us/
(2)     DONATION. Any amount is appreciated.

Donors who contribute $250 or more will be recognized in the George Giving Society. All gifts are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.  https://www.historiccoralgables.org/donate/

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING. 100%

With your help…HPACG will continue to advance its mission of preservation—in our community and beyond.

Founded in 1991, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to promote the understanding and importance of historic resources and their preservation. Want to get to know us better? Please visit  our website at www.historiccoralgables.org