24 replies to this topic

[monsoon]

If you are into buildings, the Art Deco buildings at Miami Beach are really without peer.

[JRS1]

^^
well, Winter Park has a couple of art deco residential buildings at the north end of Par Ave., and downtown Orlando has a couple of art deco office structures.  

having peer isn't the issue;  I remember in 2002 when twenty or more of those buildings which were behind Ocean Drive were being renovated and were abandoned, gutted;  it looked like Beirut; it was pretty scary.  not the best architecture in the world to give you that feeling when they are unoccupied and the paint has peeled off and concrete is chipped.  contrast that with those classical architecture buildings with brick and cornerstones from the early 1900's which need no upkeep and are timeless.  anything that needs paint takes a back seat IMO.  every architectural style has its pros and cons.

but, if you had a postcard showing a couple of art deco Ocean Drive buildings, I think that would be unmistakably Florida.  but that's a grouping; not just one building.  however, any one of them could probably fill that role, in the same way that those 3 story row houses in San Francisco are unmistakably SF; they aren't skyscrapers, but everyone knows what city that is.

[lala67]

Lake Worth has a very nice collection of art deco buildings in it's commercial district. It doesn't get a whole lot of press b/c it's a tiny little place.  Also, the architecture of the University of Tampa campus is pretty stunning/unique. The City of Kissimmee has some great examples of Italianate architecture as well, I love their historic courthouse. I also really like the Kress building in downtown orlando. Bricks are nice and, I agree, timeless, but can be kind of humdrum after awhile. I do think the SunTrust building in Orlando is pretty recognizable, though I understand why some criticize it, I personally like it, especially the open space along Orange Ave.

[mrh3]

The most famous building in Florida is just outside Orlando at Walt Disney World: Cinderalla's Castle. By sheer marketing dollars Disney has turned it into an icon for the state.

[VistaLakes01]

In the late 60's and early 70's when each metro in Florida got their first modern office tower, I would say in Miami it's the One Brickell tower, the Waters Tower in Tampa, the CNA tower in Orlando, and the (was it?) Independent Life tower in Jacksonville.  St. Pete had some sort of condo looking tower for years that was it's signature tower.