Fontainebleau Hotel

Excellent

Fontainebleau Hotel

Fontainebleau Hotel

Credit

Google Images

Site overview

The Fontainebleau opened in 1954, amid a golden era in Miami Beach. Hotelier Ben Novack dreamed of building one of the world's greatest resorts and through architect Morris Lapidus's vision, accomplished that feat with the largest hotel in Miami Beach. The hotel, which blended French Renaissance with the burgeoning International Style, featured 554 guest rooms in an eleven-story building with a curved facade that originally outraged architectural critics but has since become an architectural icon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Fontainebleau Hotel

Fontainebleau Hotel

Credit

Google Images

Site overview

The Fontainebleau opened in 1954, amid a golden era in Miami Beach. Hotelier Ben Novack dreamed of building one of the world's greatest resorts and through architect Morris Lapidus's vision, accomplished that feat with the largest hotel in Miami Beach. The hotel, which blended French Renaissance with the burgeoning International Style, featured 554 guest rooms in an eleven-story building with a curved facade that originally outraged architectural critics but has since become an architectural icon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Primary classification

Commercial (COM)

Designations

U.S. National Register of Historic Places, listed on December 22, 2008 | U.S. National Historic Landmark, designated on June 24, 2010

How to Visit

Open to the public

Location

4441 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL, 33139

Country

US
More visitation information
Fontainebleau Hotel
Credit: Google Images
Fontainebleau Hotel
Credit: Google Images

Designer(s)

Other designers

Arch: Morris LapidusBldr: Novak & Taylor Construction

Related News

Commission

1952

Completion

1954

Commission / Completion details

Commissioned in 1952. completed in 1954.

Original Brief

In 1952, New York developer Ben Novack bought the Harvey Firestone estate with the goal of erecting the greatest resort in Miami Beach. For the task of designing this new hotel, he chose Morris Lapidus. Novack had visited France recently and had directed Lapidus to design the interior in a French Provincial style. Lapidus, in his design, however, created a blend of French Renaissance and International Style for the buildings final product.

Significant Alteration(s) with Date(s)

1958: The addition of the hotel's North Tower, designed by A. Herbert Mathes and completed in 1960.1988: A ballroom was constructed on the east elevation by the removal of a number of ancillary facilities, among them the original Lapidus cabanas.

Current Use

It is currently used as a hotel and resort.

Current Condition

The general profile of the Lapidus Chateau remains. The exteriors have not lost their character or deining elements and the expression of the International style espoused by Lapidus is apparent. The new landscaping is in a more formal, symmetrical style, similar to the original.

Construction Period

1952-1954