Coral Gables City Hall - 1927

Miami Daily News, May 22, 1927.

Site for construction of Coral Gables City Hall. (1926)

Coral Gables City Hall under construction, Sept. 1927.

The Coral Gables City Hall is a three-story, apsidal shaped structure of stucco and Florida quarry keystone rock. It is an outstanding example of Spanish Renaissance style architecture.

the City Hall is particularly significant in that it represents one part of George Merrick's dream for a completely planned Mediterranean style city. Arcaded loggias, patios, fountains, old Spanish barrel tile roofs combined with native coral rock and tinted stucco give Coral Gables a distinctive flavor and style. Equally as important was the care taken in planning for all the social, cultural, recreational, commercial and personal needs of its residents. He planned an ideal city. An early promotional brochure describes Coral Gables as "America's Finest Suburb."

Construction began on the structure in July of 1927; E.E. Dammers, Mayor of Coral Gables laid a cornerstone during "Progress Week" ceremonies on November 10, 1927 and the building was formally opened to the public on February 28, 1928. City Hall was designed by Phineas E. Paist, Supervising Architect of Coral Gables; Denman Fink, Art Director of Coral Gables and Harold D. Steward, consulting architect.