Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Alton Road on the west, 6th Street to the south and Dade Boulevard along the Collins Canal to the north, Miami Beach's Art Deco Historic District boasts one of the highest concentrations of art deco buildings in the world.
Miami Beach's Art Deco buildings are generally described as Streamline Moderne and most were built during the Depression years and prior to World War II. Characterized by symmetry, stepped roof lines, porthole windows, cruise ship railings, curved edges and corners, and lots of neon, this form of Art Deco came during what was considered to be the second phase of this architectural style and is in marked contrast to the first phase, originally devised in France and characterized by the use of expensive materials and elaborate motifs including fountains and often nude statues.
Miami's Art Deco Historic District architecture, instead, is much more whimsical and includes features indicative of the region, such as palm trees and other flora and fauna typical of a seaside location.
The Art Deco District of Miami Beach, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was threatened in the 1960s and 70s when the South Beach area had become run down and crime ridden. The area, however, was revitalized beginning in the early 1980s thanks to the efforts of Barbara Baer Capitman and the newly-formed Miami Design Preservation League, which spearheaded a campaign to save and restore the historic Art Deco structures, especially those located along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue from about 6th to 23rd streets. Developers were eager to step in, and before long, the area was the place to be in Miami Beach. The result was the renovation of literally hundreds of buildings, especially local hotels and motels, which are among the most ornate Art Deco structures in the area.
Today, most visitors to Miami Beach make a point to tour the Art Deco Historic District. A good place to start is at the informative Art Deco Welcome Center, which is run by the aforementioned Preservation League. The Welcome Center offers maps and other informational materials about the district, sells Art Deco souvenirs, and also runs daily tours including those guided by local historians as well as self-guided audio tours available in several languages. A 90-minute cell phone tour is also available and is accessed via a local phone number. Cell phone tour participants have 24 hours to enjoy the tour from the time they initiate the first call. There are also daily bicycle and Segway tours for visitors of all ages. An evening tour highlights particular Art Deco night spots and gives participants an education as to the history of those clubs and restaurants during the early days of Miami Beach's population boom.
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