John and Coulton Skinner | CoralCoconut.com

The Villages of Coral Gables: Florida Pioneer and Italian

I recently shared a little background about Coral Gables’ Historic Villages. You can read about it here. Today, I thought I’d share a little about the Florida Pioneer Village and the Italian Village.

Florida Pioneer Village

Source: City of Coral Gables

Located on Santa Maria Street, south of the Biltmore Hotel you’ll find five homes constructed between 1925-1926 in the Colonial Revival style by the architectural firm of John Pierson and John Coulton Skinner.

The Colonial Revival style was a nod to 19th Century New England where European Georgian architecture was being emulated. The vision for the Pioneer Village was for the area to resemble a New England town. As with other village plans, the hurricane of 1926 and economic downturn dashed hopes of additional construction. Below you can view Pioneer Village homes in 1926, post hurricane.

Florida Pioneer Village, Photo Source: Brittex USA

According to the City of Coral Gables, these 5 homes were included in the Santa Maria Historic District in 2007. To view the homes for sale in this area, please click here.

Italian Village

Italian Village Residence Photo Courtesy: City of Coral Gables

Italian farm houses and country villas were the inspiration for the seventeen homes built during 1925-1927 found on San Antonio Avenue, San Esteban, Segovia Street and Monserrate Street. The architects on this project included Alfred L. Klingbeil, John and Coulton Skinner, R. F. Ware, and Robert Law Weed.

Tile roofs and painted stucco walls are a signature of these homes but residences built after the original seventeen in this area generally maintained the style initially envisioned and blend in seamlessly. To view homes for sale in the Italian Village click here.

If you are considering buying or selling in Coconut Grove or Coral Gables, please feel free to contact me and benefit from the Strength of My Experience.

305.710.1010 | csmith@veryspecialhomes.com | facebook.com/CaroleSmithRealtor

Affiliated with EWM REALTY International | Christies International of Coral Gables

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The Villages of Coral Gables: French and Dutch

Today it’s commonplace to hear South Florida referred to as an international hub but I often wonder how George Merrick and other pioneers had the foresight to envision this area, namely Coral Gables, with an international flair. I thought about this very thing as I drove past one of the villages of Coral Gables yesterday.

Many people, including some residents of Coral Gables, are not aware of the rich history of the villages. George Merrick started the City of Coral Gables with a Mediterranean style home in mind in the early 1920s but as the real estate interest tapered he developed the concept of the Villages of Coral Gables. The initial idea was to have as many as 15-20 themed villages with distinct, international architecture within the city in order to attract more Northeners to purchase real estate in “The City Beautiful”. He insisted on hiring the most outstanding architects available in each of the chosen styles. Sadly, he was only able to complete about 80 houses out of the planned 1000 before an economic downturn and the 1926 hurricane left many villages unbuilt. Those that were completed, however, remain some of the most sought after parcels of real estate in the City of Coral Gables today.

I find this piece of Coral Gables history so interesting that I thought you might too!

Two of the villages that are probably the least known but the most frequently driven passed are the French Normandy Village and the Dutch South African Village. Both border along LeJuene Road.

French Normandy Village

This thematic village, with its half timbering, shingle gables roofs, and projecting second story sections resembles a 15th century French village. It is bounded by LeJuene Road, Viscaya Court, Viscaya Avenue and Alesio Avenue. The historic section was constructed in 1926-1927, and was designed by architects John and Coulton Skinner. The entire village was sold in 1935 to the University of Miami and became their fraternity row. Interestingly,during World War I the homes were used as army barracks.Today you can buy one of the least expensive “Village Homes” in this complex. Click here to preview: French Normandy Village

Dutch South African Village

Dutch South African Village in Coral Gables

The Dutch South African Village is a distinct collection of houses patterned on the farmhouses of Dutch colonists who settled in South Africa in the 17th century. These group of unique homes, advertised as the first of this style in America, are located south of US 1 and near the Cocoplum circle. They were completed in May of 1927 and were designed by Palm Beach architect, Marion Sims Wyeth. One of the more unique homes in this village is on the market today. Click here to preview: Dutch South African Village.

Over time, I’ll share tidbits related to the other villages. Here’s a map to help guide you.