architecture: 640 NE 67 Street - Miami - Upper East Side Contemporary Gem - SOLD - 02/11/09 06:40 AM
… (20 comments)

architecture: Cuban Tile Flooring - historic and green (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 07/08/08 07:52 PM
You know I love old homes and have a passion for historic preservation. Cuban Tile is one of the popular flooring materials of the known "Spanish Mediterranean Revival" homes found in Miami - not to be confused with Historic Cuban Barrel Tile used for roofs (see article).

*photo courtesy El Nuevo Herald - FOTOSGALERIA - losas de la Habana*
Cuban Tile flooring is popular in South Florida and found in historic 20's homes as well as 30's, 40's and 50's and although the patterns are not as intricate as their historic counterparts, it's a great material nevertheless.
Trying to find … (35 comments)

architecture: 3301 NE 1st Avenue, unit 2615 - Miami, Florida 33137 - Midtown Miami **improved price** - 05/14/08 01:34 PM

We wanted to share a Miami real estate deal for sale now in 4 Midtown, one of Midtown Miami's new highrise buildings. This tower received its certificate of occupancy in February 2008 and people are already moving in and making this fabulous building their home.
How do we define a Miami Condo Deal? In our opinion, a deal is when you can purchase a property for a lot less than similar properties in the same building. In the case of a high-rise like 4 Midtown, we look at the same line of units and see what these are priced at.
… (17 comments)

architecture: Marina Blue - Miami Luxury Condo - 05/04/08 04:58 PM

Even for experienced Miami Realtors, visiting new condos is always exciting.  I for one love to check out the finishes and the preliminary design flaws.  Then I tear them apart with my clients, from finish choices to distribution problems.
This week I had the pleasure of visiting Marina Blue, designed by none other than Arquitectonica.  Located at 888 Biscayne Boulevard, in what Miami Realtors refer to as ˜the gridlock, because it is right across from the American Airlines Arena, Bayside Marketplace, The Center for Performing Arts, the new Museum Park, and the exit to I-395 that takes you to Miami … (18 comments)

architecture: Green Urbanism in Miami - 12/24/07 04:10 AM
Most of you know that I have a bachelors degree in architecture from The University of Miami. The Dean of the school of architecture is Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, from the firm DPZ and best known for their unbelievable urbanism concepts.I studied with The Luis and Jorge Trelles as well as Teofilo Victoria and Andres Duany and the concept of "New Urbanism" was drilled into us from day one at UM. I recently found an article by Time.com where Andres Duany was interviewed and explains a bit about New Urbanism.
Andrés Duany is writing the blueprint for a greener human habitat. The Miami-based architect … (37 comments)

architecture: Use of awnings for your historic house - 11/09/07 05:27 AM
Just last week, a real estate customer asked me to explain the correct and incorrect use of awnings for Mediterranean Revival architecture.   I'm sure this will be an eye-opener for a lot of you, but the reality is that it is not rocket science.  There are basic rules and some NO NO's (like anything else), and if I leave any stones unturned, I'm sure some of you will let me know.
First take a look at the previous articles I've written about elements of Mediterranean Revival homes:
Historic Cuban Barrel Tile Lime Paints - another important element for historic homes … (35 comments)

architecture: Blog Action Day - Green Designer Finishes for your Kitchen - 10/15/07 03:58 AM
For those of you that don't know it, today is BLOG ACTION DAY! Bloggers around the world are writing about the environment, how we can help to make our world better, from materials to recycling to volunteering, and more. Make sure you take a look at the incredible articles that are floating around the blogosphere.....over 14,000 bloggers signed up! There are many ways you can help the environment without thinking of yourself as a "gung-ho-green-extremist". "Green" is the new "cool", the new "hip", the new "hot". Everyone can make a difference and no better way to start than with your own … (66 comments)

architecture: Please don't use the wrong window - 10/06/07 03:21 AM
You are going to think I am crazy for writing an article about the correct use of windows.  But you need to know that windows are my pet peeve.  Windows are a key element in a building's architecture, and the incorrect use of a window can ruin a building's facade.
I drive around every day looking at Miami Architecture shaking my head.  You see Spanish Mediterranean homes with Colonial windows, Colonial homes with casement windows, or Mid-century modern homes with single-hung windows.  This drives me absolutely crazy, so instead of complaining, I'll try to explain some basics.
Vitruvius, known as the first … (55 comments)

architecture: Miami Green Architects from the past - 09/07/07 06:41 AM
To say that mid-century architects were more practical is an understatement. Yes we've seen a sudden "Green Movement" taking over, and NO, I don't think this is bad, quite the contrary, it's something everyone should be aware of. But looking at Miami's architecture, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for those buildings of the 50's and 60's. I have a special soft spot for certain architects like Wahl Snyder, Marion Manley and Alfred Browning Parker.

When I walk into a house designed by either three, I feel it! My heart starts racing and there's an unquestionable … (36 comments)

architecture: Oppenheim's Ten Museum Park in Miami - 08/29/07 02:16 AM
You can drive South to Downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard and look in horror as you see the number of construction cranes in action.  With so many high-rises being erected and with such poor publicity from the media, you can only imagine what will happen to some of these buildings when they are finished.  Most of them look rough - with exposed concrete, steel structures and lots of construction workers doing their thing. One building stands out from the rest.  It is truly majestic and its simplicity and proportions leave me in total awe.  That one building that seems to be … (23 comments)

architecture: Lime Paints - what do you paint historic homes with? - 08/27/07 03:40 PM
There are several key factors or elements seen in  Mediterranean Revival Architecture.  I have told you about the style and what makes it special, I have also gone into detail about Historic Cuban Tile.  Now I will describe the type of paint that is most appropriate for these homes - LIME-BASED PAINTS. 
I don't know about you, but when I think Mediterranean, I think of Venice (OK, it's the Adriatic sea.....let's not get technical here.....but I'm doing this to make a point about COLOR).
  
In the Mediterranean (and surrounding areas), it was customary to paint stucco facades with lime based paints.  Lime, … (56 comments)

architecture: Contemporary Gem in Miami's Upper East Side - SOLD - 07/21/07 08:19 AM
This Ultra Modern, Upper East Side Home in Miami will satisfy your hunger for contemporary architecture.
It is located at 696 NE 68th Street - Miami, FL  33138
FOR SALE $995,000 

A custom 3-story home built in 2005 with all the modern amenities and necessities imaginable. The house has a state of the art alarm system with closed-circuit video monitoring – cameras can be seen on the perimeter of the property.
The home’s modern architecture is complimented by the materials and finishes throughout the house. The floors in the ground level are polished concrete, the stair landings are natural wood, … (42 comments)

architecture: California Bungalow Estate for Sale in Miami - 06/29/07 03:34 AM
Every once in a while I have the pleasure of telling you about historically significant homes that are on the market for sale.   This time, there is a California Bungalow Estate located in The Shorecrest subdivision of Miami’s Upper East Side. It is the original estate of the Renuart Family, owners of Renuart Lumber.
This particular home is very unique because of many different factors. First, it sits on an acre lot which is a commodity in this area of Miami. Second, its architectural style is not common for South Florida and third, it has been exquisitely restored.
The home sits on one side of … (29 comments)

architecture: Historic Cuban Barrel Tile - 06/12/07 02:47 AM
A lot of you will be reading this thinking it's a bit boring (at least Rick thinks so), but I wanted to address this because a lot of our customers are constantly asking us about certain elements  of historic homes......so here it is....proceed with CAUTION:
Historic Cuban Barrel Tile is one of the key elements found in Mediterranean Revival Architecture.  Key because it is one of the most visible elements and because without it, a historic house can seem stripped from its roots.  It is the one single element that has a history of its own.  It is a handmade or … (34 comments)

architecture: Real Estate Questions answered with conviction - 05/21/07 05:51 PM
Real Estate is full of questions, many of which we know the answers to , and others which need investigating.  Just this week, I worked with some buyers that  hired me for my architectural expertise, knowing I can help them identify design elements in a property, possible problems as well as answer questions about construction.
We walked into a great historic property that had updates and a master suite addition.  While looking at the property, my customer asked the seller's agent if the new windows were impact resistant (impact resistant windows are extremely popular in South Florida now, after the busy Hurricane … (40 comments)

architecture: Richard Meier's first building in Miami - 05/20/07 04:16 PM
Richard Meier is a very well known and respected architect internationally.  There are tons of books, publications and articles written about him and his buildings have become landmarks all over the world.  When I think of Richard Meier I think of serene white buildings that reflect our modern times, buildings that are true to themselves, monuments in a landscape.  "Richard Meier & Partners aims to deliver thoughtful, original and contemporary architecture that conveys a sense of humanism and purpose while fulfilling programmatic requirements"
Some of my favorite projects include The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, The Weishaupt Forum, The High Museum of Art and my … (12 comments)

architecture: Miamism - our new site - 05/17/07 02:50 AM
As many of you know, we will be launching our new site Miamism.com very soon.  It is looking SWEEeeeT....if I may say so myself.   Just some minor technical aspects need to be worked out and a couple of tweaks here and there....but judge for yourself - I always like constructive criticism.
Now I need to figure out which cool widgets and plug-ins we need to add - Paul Chaney has great suggestions and I need to get busy and start filling it with information (like listings).....and that grey bar at teh top will have a cool scrolling thingy......I am sooo technical....can't … (18 comments)

architecture: Stiltsville - a Miami Landmark - 05/01/07 12:46 AM
I've always been curious about the history of Stiltsville.  Not many people know about it unless they frequent Biscayne Channel by boat.  These "shack-like wooden structures" just sit there, like monuments in the landscape, a landscape of ocean blue.  Stiltsville is a string of structures on pilings that you can only reach by boat.  Thousands of boaters frequent this area South of Key Biscayne.
I decided to take a trip there and photograph each house, not only with the purpose of exhibiting them, but also to document their condition.  The history of Stiltsville is fascinating, at least I hope you find it as entertaining … (62 comments)

architecture: Green does not have to mean unfashionable and scruffy - 04/28/07 03:37 PM
With all this talk about Green from our our own Dena and JaneAnn, I started doing a little research and came upon a great article and site that are so refreshing, I needed to share it with you.
Neal Woodburn of Gadling - the travelers weblog, starts off by saying "It wasn't so long ago that "environmentally conscious" meant scratchy hemp clothing and unshaved armpits. Times have changed, however. A handful of architects and designers are now crafting eco-friendly products that don't sacrifice fashion and comfort for the sake of the planet. This means we can be stylish and save the world while … (18 comments)

architecture: Architecture and Real Estate - how do these 2 work together - 04/25/07 02:20 PM
Ardell DellaLoggia  who I admire a great deal, had no idea that I was an architect and asked how I incorporate my architecture background into our Real Estate Business.  So here it is Ardell, thanks for asking:
I graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Miami, and hence all the Hurricane stuff you see me with.  I worked with a couple of big firms both locally and abroad and then started my own architecture firm doing additions and remodelings in Miami Shores.  I did several projects, including the design of the Brockway Memorial Library addition in Miami Shores, … (31 comments)