Jan152013

New Coral Gables Home For Sale in Chinese Village

I am so excited about Laura Mullaney’s new listing in the Chinese Village.  I cannot wait to show it.  It is just a stone’s throw from my office at EWM and from the photos, it looks fabulous.  One of George Merrick’s Villages, which I have written about in the past, the Chinese Village has always enticed the most adventuresome buyers…

Chinese Village in Coral Gables

To see details, please 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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May092012

The Villages of Coral Gables: Chinese Village

I’ll be wrapping up my Villages of Coral Gables series today with the colorful Chinese Village. This grouping of a mere 8 homes is a stone’s throw from my EWM office. These homes are not at all what you’d expect in Spanish-inspired Coral Gables but they seem right at home.

Of all the Villages that I’ve highlighted, this one seemed to be the most sparse when it came to details. The architect of Coral Gables’ French Provincial Village, Phillip Lippincott Goodwin, teamed up with Henry Killam Murphy to co-author the 1924 book French Provincial Architecture.  Murphy went on to design the Chinese Village in 1926.  His architectural choice was certainly unique, not only in Florida but throughout the country. Then and now, the Chinese Village stands out colorfully from behind a gated wall on Riviera Drive, just South of U.S. 1.

Example of Architecture in Coral Gables' Chinese Village

A preservation group called The Villagers has, at times,  restored these historic home sites and countless other Coral Gables landmarks.
If you missed any installments and want to learn about the genesis of George Merrick’s vision, please 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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Apr102012

The Villages of Coral Gables: French Country & French City Villages

Thought I’d continue with my Villages of Coral Gables series and share details about the French City Village and the French Country Village today. If you missed any installments and want to learn about the genesis of George Merrick’s vision, please click here.

French City Village

This enclave consists of a total of eleven original lots on a block bordered by Hardee Road on the south, Cellini on the east, Cotorro on the north, and Leonardo on the west.  Designed in 1926 by Architect Mott Schmidt who partnered with Anderson Fowler, a New Jersey developer and attorney, he intended for the homes to create a contiguous but individualized group of small classical villas with walled gardens and garages in an interpretation of the eighteenth century French style. The structures were a prelude of the townhouse communities which became popular four decades later.

A perspective rendering of French City Village, Coral Gables, by Schell Lewis, 1925. SOURCE: Devoted Classicist

 

Block plan of French City Village, from the original working drawings.

Example of French City Village Architecture Source: coralgables.com

French Country Village

According to coralgables.com, the French Country Village was inspired by 18th century rural French architecture. This village has two overt styles. Architect Frank Forster designed farm-styled homes, while architects Edgar Albright, and Phillip L. Goodwin designed the homes that are more rustic in style.

French Country Village Style Home

 

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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Mar212012

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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