Situated just south and west of downtown Miami, there is a reason why the city of Coral Gables has been dubbed "The City Beautiful." Tree-lined avenues, winding roadways, monumental buildings, fountains, majestic, other-worldly Banyan trees, wide streets, and charming, old-fashioned neighborhoods make it a highly appealing place to live. Not to mention the fact that it is just a stone's throw away from the bustling hub of Miami, legendary Miami and South Beaches, and Key Biscayne. It is a pedestrian-friendly city and is just four miles from Miami International Airport. You can view properties for sale in this lovely, unique area by visiting Movoto.
Unlike Miami and most other cities, Coral Gables did not evolve organically; it was carefully planned in concert with the visions of one man: George Edgar Merrick. Inspired by the Garden City and City Beautiful Movements which swept across America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Merrick created one of the country's first fully-planned communities. Heavily influenced by Mediterranean coastline architecture – particularly in Spain – Merrick wanted a city with both the coziness of a Mediterranean coastal village and a thriving commercial side. He was in the vanguard of the Mediterranean Revival Movement, and his vision has been fully realized; in fact, to this day the city's policies are designed to protect the residential areas, preserve an international ambience, and maintain the natural environment. Located on what is now Coral Way, "Coral Gables" is the native rock home where Merrick spent his childhood, and it became the city's namesake. It was incorporated in 1925.
One of only three National Landmarks in Miami-Dade County sits proudly at the corner of Anastasia Avenue and Granada Boulevard in Coral Gables: the lavish Biltmore Hotel, which opened in 1926. Hand-painted frescoes, travertine floors, stately marble columns, elegant mahogany furnishings, an 18-hole golf course, and luxurious gardens are some of the accoutrements to this elegant, 275-room hotel whose magnificent architecture incorporates Moorish, Italian and Spanish influences and contributes to the overall European charm of Coral Gables.
Aside from the legendary Florida weather and several miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline, Coral Gables is, quite simply, a shopping and dining paradise. The famous Miracle Mile - a section of Coral Way that runs through the heart of Coral Gables – is part of a pulsating downtown that boasts quaint shops, stores, salons, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, chocolatiers, art galleries, bars, live music, a museum, a cinema, and a theater. You can shop for books, clothes, accessories, antiques, electronics, flowers, furniture and housewares, shoes, jewelry and sporting goods. And there are endless options for dining out – cuisines include standard American fare, Greek, European, Italian, Japanese, Irish, Thai, Caribbean, French, German, Mexican, Peruvian, Spanish, and Vietnamese – over eighty restaurants to suit every mood and palate.
The Shops at Merrick Park is a large shopping mall located in the heart of Coral Gables. This shopping mecca is internationally known for its three-level, tropical outdoor setting and features a variety of high-end retailers. A beautiful courtyard boasts relaxing fountains, and a variety of sculptures pepper the entire mall. You can shop till you drop, or simply sit in the peaceful, tropical setting and people watch, read a book, or work or play using the free wifi.
Coral Gables suffered from the 1926 real estate collapse in Florida, as did many Florida cities and communities. The area made a slow recovery in the late 1930s, the 1940s proved to be a prosperous time for the city, and it benefited from the postwar prosperity of the 1950s. In the 1960s residential construction spread to the undeveloped areas east of Dixie Highway, and large, exclusive developments sprang up. Tall buildings began to appear in the downtown area as well, as corporations moved in which had interests south of the border.
In the 1950s and 1960s, when height restrictions on buildings were waived and several modern high rise buildings were built, it was clear that they that clashed with the original plan and vision of George Merrick. So in 1986, a Mediterranean Architecture Ordinance was adopted by the city. This provides incentives to builders who conform to the Mediterranean Revival style, which includes using terra cotta colors and barrel tile roofs. This ordinance has had good effect, and the city remains, for the most part, firmly in its Spanish architectural roots.
The average listing price for homes in Coral Gables in 2015 was $1,370,522, with property values increasing over 7% from the previous year.
Coral Gables has more than eighty parks and open spaces, including the 630-acre Matheson Hammock Park. This is a scenic park on Biscayne Bay. The beach and sea breeze are always popular, and there are a snack bar and restaurant built into an historic coral stone building. There are also picnic pavilions and hiking trails, a marina, tackle shop, and boat launch ramps.
The 28,000-square-foot Coral Gables Branch Library is part of the Miami-Dade Public County Library System. The Children's Room contains the original Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, donated by the wife of the author, Johnny Gruelle. Within the city there are 12 elementary schools , 7 middle schools, 5 high schools, 20 private schools, and one public charter school.
Other family-oriented places include Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, Venetian Pool, and Farmers Market.
• The Botanical Garden, established in 1936, has extensive collections of rare tropical plants. Educational programs are offered in horticultural study, art, painting, photography, and culinary courses. Children's educational programs are offered for children from kindergarten to 12th grade.
• Venetian Pool, opened in 1924, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was created in Mediterranean Revival Style and features palm trees, porticos, and its signature Venetian-style bridge and classic mooring posts. It underwent a major renovation in 1989 and again in 2010.
• The Coral Gables Farmers Market is open every Saturday during the winter and hosts gardening workshops, cooking classes, and children's activities.
