ART DECO DISTRICT

A vast restoration project undertaken in the 1980s in South Beach, Miami's Art Deco district, built between the 1920s and 1930s, is a symbol of this post-war architectural style and a must-see for any stay in Miami. It stretches along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue - the district's two main parallel avenues - criss-crossed by 6th and 15th Streets. These Art Deco buildings have been entirely restored, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Barbara Capitman (1920-1990), who almost single-handedly ensured their preservation. In all, the Art Deco district boasts some 800 buildings listed as historic heritage and protected from investors. The buildings are often low-rise, with rounded, symmetrical shapes and facades decorated with geometric motifs, neon lights and sculpted bas-reliefs. Several Art Deco styles coexist, such as Tropical Art Deco with its floral motifs and Streamline Moderne inspired by the world of aeronautics.

Notable Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive include the Avalon, Beacon, Carlyle, Breakwater, Cavalier, Colony and many more. Don't hesitate to enter the hotel lobbies, some of which still boast terrazzo floors or ancient frescoes.

While it's possible to follow a pre-established route or take a guided tour of the district, the easiest way is to lose yourself in the small surrounding streets, which are also full of Art Deco buildings, some of them unsuspected.