Monday, March 21, 2016

Miami, FLA: Flash, Trash + Full Sun

This year's Miami winter getaway was a true godsend – eighty degrees and mostly sunny for five consecutive days is nothing to sneeze at if you're a chilly New Englander.

As expected, Florida's tropical sights did not disappoint, and I was very fortunate to be staying at South Beach's famous The Raleigh hotel, just steps from beaches, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

This art-deco treasure was designed in 1940, and, even after a number of renovations over the years, it retains its uniquely shaped outdoor swimming pool.

The Raleigh's famous pool – no plain geometry here.
This pool is where film star, Esther Williams, cavorted in The Million Dollar Mermaid (1952).

Decades before Synchronized Swimming became an Olympic Sport, champion swimmer, Esther Williams, made a splash in a number of Hollywood films, which helped popularize the sport.

Esther Williams photo in The Raleigh's elevator.
I'm always taken by South Beach's art-deco architecture, and each time I visit, I see details I hadn't noticed before. These are a few snapshots I took while out and about...

Lincoln Rd. building –
frozen waterfall motif at top.

Building renovation on Collins Ave.
Fortunately, it looks like they're retaining the pastel facade.

Gigante pink flamingo on Ocean Drive.

Ceiling light fixture inside the Miami Post Office.

Fountain in front of the Netherland Hotel on Ocean Drive.

Yes, like most large cities, Miami also has creepy child mannequins in store windows.
This one showcases a funny, if vulgar, sense of humor.

Audrey Hepburn artwork inside Hotel Victor on Ocean Drive.

James Dean artwork inside Hotel Victor.







































































The highlight of my Miami trip was an excursion to the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, located along beautiful Biscayne Bay on South Miami Avenue.

Vizcaya's main house was built between 1914-1916 as the winter estate of Chicago businessman James Deering.


Vizcaya – portion of rear facade.
Vizcaya archway to gardens.


Vizcaya rear facade pediment with finial and weathervane.

Vizcaya steps to gardens.















































































Vizcaya full rear facade.


Garden room, looking from inside.

Ornate transom in the garden room.

Garden room, looking up from the outside.

The formal gardens, completed in 1922, are filled with geometric plantings, architectural follies and an abundance of sculptures.

Sculpture extravaganza.

One of a pair of Sphinxette sculptures.
























More sculptures.










































Adonis lives here... naturally.

Sculptural five-spout fountain.
John Deering could see Venice from his house.

Barge replica (Deering was apparently an avid boater)

Barge detail.

Barge embarkation steps.













































Spiral staircase inside main house.


For my last night in SOBE, I went out for a taste of nightlife, walking up to The Miami Edition Hotel, which has a swanky neutral-toned lobby with a plethora of light fixtures...

The Edition Hotel lobby.

Edition lobby light fixture.
I had too much to dream last night –
took a spin on the ice rink, located in The Edition Hotel basement, next to the bowling alley.

Think pink on your feet!



Wish I was there again...