City of Coral Gables: Preserving a World-Class Vision
Categories: Community Information, Coral Gables, Luxury Properties, Real Estate News
hiCoral Gables cannot be properly described without explaining the city’s dynamic history. Founded in 1925, Merrick and other early visionaries were influenced by the aesthetics of the “City Beautiful” movement sweeping America. City planners were inspired by the design of New York City’s Central Park, with its wide tree-lined avenues, monumental buildings, winding roadways, and ornate plazas and fountains. Building on Florida’s rich Spanish history and well suited climate, Coral Gables flourished an appeared as though they had been transported from the Mediterranean coast. Since that time, the 14 square mile city has continued to further its objective to provide a beautiful well-designed community while being recognized as the center for international commerce in South Florida.
Coral Gables is the result of the efforts of George Merrick, who dreamed of creating a planned community close to the rapidly growing City of Miami. In 1921, using the citrus and avocado groves he had inherited from his family along with the additional land he purchased in the surrounding area. Merrick began to lay the plans for the city, selling plots of land through an elaborate marketing campaign that cost millions of dollars. By 1924, the result was a community of more that 600 homes, churches and businesses, in 1925, the area was incorporated as the City of Coral Gables.
Less than a century later, Coral Gables has matured into a city of distinction accomplishing the City founder’s dream for a completely planned Mediterranean-style city. Architecture is one of lasting gifts that George Merrick gave to the City. Historic properties, spectacular homes and significant landmarks are part of his legacy.
