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Bright. That’s how I would describe Miami Beach. Yes, the sun is bright. Yes, the neon lights are bright. But for me, bright refers to all the colors you see. You have bright blue water at the beach. You have bright green palm trees. Even the lifeguard stations are brightly colored. I grew up in the 80s, so Miami Vice and its iconic imagery came to life when I was down south for this trip. Part of that imagery is the architecture, it’s just as iconic and hasn’t changed much. Miami Beach streets are lined with art deco buildings. So much so that it’s the largest concentration of it in the world. To give you some perspective, of the 2,600 historical buildings in Miami Beach about 1,500 are in the art deco style. For more on the history of Art Deco in Miami Beach watch this:
Not that long ago, the art deco was at risk of being torn down and replaced with new construction. Thanks to the efforts of one woman, and her friends, it’s still standing today. That woman, Barbara Capitman was instrumental in forming the Miami Design Preservation League.
For more on the efforts of the Miami Design Preservation League, as well as information on participating in one of their guided tours, visit their website.