When I moved here a few years ago from New York, I (like many others) was caught up in the perception that Miami was a one-dimensional city made up of the glitz and glamour of South Beach, an abundance of luxury condos and string bikinis. What I found, however, is that like its overall culture, the neighborhoods and homes here truly reflect the diversity and history of the city itself.

One of the most overlooked aspects of Miami is the city’s abundance of historic properties and mix of architectural styles. Located throughout the city, you will find homes with the details of bygone eras. Beautiful cathedral ceilings with wood beams, soaring great rooms, coral accents, Spanish tile, hardwood floors and original fireplaces, set these properties apart from their contemporary cousins, and each home has an individual style and story all its own. Covering the Mediterranean Revival (late 1910s - early/mid 1930s), Art Deco (late 1920s - early1940s) and Moderne styles (1930s - 1940s), architects such as Henry Hohauser, Carlos Schoeppl and Moris Lapidus, have left their undeniable mark throughout Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and the many other neighborhoods along Biscayne Bay, including Buena Vista, Morningside and Belle Meade (near the Design District).

While many of these historic homes fell into disrepair as once vibrant parts of town became victims of crime and urban blight over the last few decades, Miami is now experiencing a revival of sorts. As more urban parts of town become gentrified, many people are moving back to these neighborhoods and restoring these once glorious homes back to their original splendor. In a time when so many places around the country are turning to the homogenous style of subdivision living, Miami most certainly is not. The reason for Miami’s diversion from the typical subdivision takeover has to do with the newfound appreciation of historic houses by a new generation of homeowners. Local and city governments have also acted to protect these neighborhoods and homes. Instead of tearing down these properties and putting up McMansions in their stead, preservation and restoration is encouraged. However, it is possible to modernize the entire inside of a house as long as its façade remains untouched (aside from painting or other minor alterations). The results can be quite stunning when a house from 1930 is carefully restored, modernized and landscaped for the 21st Century. Restoration can also be quite profitable as well, since most people appreciate historic homes, but many do not have the time or energy to update one.

The good news is that there is no shortage of vintage homes to choose from. They can range in price from the low-mid $100 thousands in El Portal to over $2 million, such as the 1934 Carlos Schoeppl estate located on Alton Road in the prestigious La Gorce section of Miami Beach. Not only are these homes beautiful and elegant, many lie on expansive pieces of land (the Alton Road house has 28,000 Sq. Ft. of land!) While many of these properties have already been snatched up by investors, restoration enthusiasts or end-users, the clever house hunter can still find many historical gems in Miami just waiting to be brought up to their full potential.

Don’t forget that before Miami Vice, the city was a destination for anyone who appreciated style and the pursuit of relaxation. The ghosts from Miami’s Golden Age, such as those of Al Capone, Jackie Gleason and the Rat Pack still roam these parts, even as a new generation emerges to appreciate and celebrate its storied past.

Every House Tells a Story