The City Beautiful, Coral Gables
Coral Gables is an elegant community whose design was inspired by the area’s rich Spanish heritage. Calling itself “The City Beautiful”, it contains lush landscapes, ample green space, and over 40 miles of inland waterways. Roadways such as the Historic Coral Way are attractive settings for many historical landmarks. These include The Merrick House and Gardens, boyhood home of the city’s founder.
In the midst of one of the residential neighborhoods is the Venetian Pool. Fed by underground artesian wells, it was originally a coral rock quarry that was later turned into an 820,000-gallon public pool surrounded by scenic grottos. Its beauty is rivaled by Fairchild Tropical Garden, the largest subtropical botanical garden in the country.
The Miracle Mile, characterized by red brick paving, is the heart of downtown Coral Gables. It features upscale boutiques, art galleries, and 5-star dining. The historic Miracle Theatre holds popular seasonal productions. Also here are meticulously preserved landmarks such as the Coral Gables City Hall and its ornate interior murals. Nearby are the majestic oaks of George Merrick Park and the entrance to the Country Club Historic District.
The crowning monument to the Mediterranean Revival style is The Biltmore Hotel. It features a 15-story central tower inspired by the Giralda Tower of Seville. Its golf course is home to several PGA Tour events. The magnificent 110-foot Alhambra Water Tower sits at the western end of the smaller Granada Golf Course.
The main campus of the University of Miami is also in Coral Cables. It includes such treasures as the Lowe Art Museum, Lake Osceola, and the John C. Gifford Arboretum. Other sites of interest in the area include the Congregational Church, the David William Hotel, and the Colonnade Building.
