Miami Modernist architecture, or MiMo, is a regional style of architecture that developed in
South Florida during the
post-war period. The style was internationally recognized as a regionalist response to the
International Style. It can be seen in most of the larger
Miami and
Miami Beach resorts built after the
Great Depression. Because MiMo styling was not just a response to international architectural movements but also to client demands, themes of glamour, fun, and material excess were added to otherwise stark, minimalist, and efficient styles of the era. The style can be most observed today in Middle and Upper Miami Beach along
Collins Avenue, as well as along the
Biscayne Boulevard corridor starting from around
Midtown, through the
Design District and into the
Upper Eastside.
The term MiMo has only recently been associated with the style. Popularity of the term is credited to Miami Beach resident Randall C. Robinson and interior designer Teri D'Amico. Principal examples of MiMo include the
Fontainebleau Hotel,
Eden Roc, Seacoast Towers,
Deauville, and Di Lido hotels by famed architect
Morris Lapidus; Norman Giller's Carillon Hotel, which was voted Miami Beach's "Hotel of the Year" in 1959; and the original Diplomat Hotel in
Hollywood, Florida.
To some degree, Miami developed the style through the work of younger architects immediately after the war; they were more closely aligned with media promotions and
sensationalism than older architects of the era. The region successfully transposed its extravagant resort styling to a national audience easily captivated by the area’s relative exoticism.[2]
The area along Biscayne Boulevard is now the designated "MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District" or more uniquely named "MiMo on BiBo", for "Miami Modern on Biscayne Boulevard".
MiMo Historic District runs roughly from 50th Street to 77th Street along Biscayne Boulevard, although MiMo can be found in the Design District and
Midtown. Many annual festivals are held to promote MiMo architecture, such as "Cinco de MiMo" a play on "Cinco de Mayo" in early May. The area is bounded by the
Little River to the north,
Bay Point Estates to the south, the
Florida East Coast Railway to the west, and
Biscayne Bay to the east.[3]
Biscayne Plaza Shopping Center (Robert Fitch Smith, 1953) – 7900 Biscayne Boulevard
Dupont Plaza Center (Petersen & Shuflin, 1957) – 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way (demolished in 2004 to give way to the
EPIC Miami Residences and Hotel).[4]
Gold Dust, 7700 Biscayne Blvd
Miami Herald (Naess & Murphy, 1960) – One Herald Plaza (Demolished Aug 2014 – Feb 2015)
New Yorker Boutique Hotel (Norman Giller, 1953) – 6500 Biscayne Boulevard