Designation Report attached

118-

593(

of

Designation,"
Chapter

lIS,

entitled "

Article

Administration

Regulations of

hereby

to

amended

the

Section

Designation,"

of

118-

Procedures, II
Code

on
593,

entitled "
4,

Division

entitled " Historic

X,

City

hereby adopted.

of Subpart

Preservation,"
B

of

of

the

is

read as

Subpart B.Land Development

follows:

118.Administration

Regulations Chapter

Review

and

X.
Historic

Article

Procedures

Division
e)

Review

and

is

I
e)
entitled " Delineation

Subsection (

That

Preservation

Historic

entitled "

Preservation

E).

A"

SUBSECTION

Map," of

zoning

Development

Appendix "

as

AMENDMENT OF
2.

SECTION

Land

hereto

Delineation

as

historic

4.

on

sites

city1s

Designation

zoning

and

Section

zoning

118- 593. Historic Preservation

map. All

districts

shall

sites

be

map, pursuant to

section

Designation.

and
delineated

on

districts

designated

the

11l

Avenue, as
THE
recorded

the

West by

the
Southerly

of

230,

more

or

124

thereof,

Plat

14,of

the

Florida. Said

County,

Control

Erosion

property

Line:
and on

Northerly

and

by

1. Said

Ci'

the

containing

Tract

Collins

line of Collins Avenue:

and South

North

Lines

in

Easterly

Page

5937

Tract 1,

the

by the

East

Club,

as

to

40,at

follows: On the

on the

feet.

described

particularly

Records of Miami- Dade

Public
as

Book

Plat

more

PROPERTY, according

CLUB

BATH

in

bounded

Bath

The
HPS- 7:

2/

RM-

ty

the

lands located.
of

lying

Miami

being

and

Beach, Florida.

and

s~
are

less, or

acres, more

28
5.

or

less.

SECTION

3. INCLUSION

IN

It is

the

DEVELOPMENT

LAND

THE

of

intention

REGt~ TIONS

the

City

OF

CITY

THE

Commission, and

CODE.

it is hereby

part of
ordained that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made
the

Development

Land

Beach

as

renumbered

of

That
the

Regulations

of

or
the

Code

that

Ordinance

may be

the

of

the

City

of

Miami

sections

relettered to accomplish such intention. SECTION 4.AMENDMENT OF ZONING

Mayor

City

the

amended; and

this

of

MAP.

Regulations

of

and

Miami

City

Commission

Beach

of the

City

hereby

as

amend

contained

the

Zoning Map

in

the

Land

Development

5.

SECTION
REPEALER.

and

the

All
same

of

ordinances

conflict

in

held

is

any

section,

invalid, the

remainder

subsection,

shall

clause
not

or

provision

7. EFFECTIVE

day

This

DATE.

of November

1999.

Ordinance

shall

effect

take

November19 9.ATTEST: fl

MAYOR

f1v:,

vtr

Cl,

CLERK

CITY
LG8.v--

20/

AS

FORM
EXECUTION:

1st
reading 10/
99

PASSED

and

ADOPTED

this

day

17th

17/

this

be affected by

27th

TO

of

invalidity. SECTION

such

FOR

be

SECTION

6. SEVERABILITY. If

APPROVED

herewith

are hereby

repealed.

Ordinance

parts

or

ordinances

1J/ CITY
~,

ATTORNEY

LANGUAGE

992nd
reading

f'
9/

11/

of

on

the

APPENDIX " A"

THE BATH CLUB

5937 COLLINS
AVENUE) MIAMI BEACH HISTORIC

SITE DESIGNATION

REPORT The Bath

Club

opened in December

of 1927

as

an exclusive bathing club for the

socially elite.
Prepared By:
5937 Collins, Inc.C/
O Peebles
Atlantic Development Corporation 100 S.
E.Second
Street,

Suite 4650

Miami, FL 33131 In Cooperation With:

City

of

Miami

Beach Planning

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT
FOR THE
BATH CLUB

5937 COLLINS

AVENUE) Prepared
By:5937
O
Collins, Inc. C/

Peebles Atlantic

E.
Development Corporation 100 S.
Second Street,
Suite

Florida 33131

Miami,

4650

In Cooperation
of Miami

With:City
Beach

Planning Department For the

Applicant: The
Bath Club, Inc.

5937
Collins

Avenue

Miami Beach,

Florida 33140 SEPTEMBER 9,

1999 Revised

September
October

28,1999) Revised

20,

1999)MIAMI
BEACH CITY
COMMISSION Neisen

Kasdin, Mayor
Martin Shapiro,

Vice-Mayor Commissioners: Simon

Susan Gottlieb

Cruz David Dermer

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD

Herb Sosa/ Chair

Victor Diaz, Vice- Chair

Emily

Davis

Hope Fuller
Raul Garcia
William Medellin

Marilys Nepomechie
William Taylor

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH PLANNING BOARI)

Melvyn Schlesser, Chair

Vice-Chair
Leonard Turkel,
Minette Benson

Carlos Capote
Roberto DaTorre

Henry Kay
Lejeune

Jean- Francois

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

PLANNING DEPARTMENT

Director.llt./

Jorge G. Gomez,
William H. Cary/ Design and preservati~
Shannon M. McCartt, Planner

anager

HIIJ?-,

fVV\

PRINCIPLE AUTHOR
Veronica Caminos,

Project Coordinator, Peebles Atlantic Development Corporation

THE BATH CLUB

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.

Designation Request Background

Designation
II.

Process

2 III. Relation to

Ordinance

Criteria 3 IV. General

Description

of Boundaries 7 V.General Description of the Site

in

its Current

Condition

8 VI.

Present

Owners

VII.

Present

VIII.
Present

Zoning

Historical

Background 9 X.

Architectural

Background 11 XI.Planning

Context

24

XII.Planning

Bibliography

Use

IX.

Index of
Department Recom endations 24 XIII.
31

Visual

Map of
Exhibit A:

Documentation 26 XV.

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

I.

DESIGNATION REQUEST BACKGROUND

a subsidiary of Peebles
Inc.,
Corporation, entered into a contract to purchase the Bath Club
in Miami Beach. For the purpose of developing a
property at 5937 Collins Avenue
on the site,5937 Collins,Inc.,
condomi
n
i
u
m
project
hotel/
u
se
mixedresort
Beach in March of 1999
De
p
a
r
t
m
e
nt of Miami
the
Planning
submitted an application to
property from RM-1 to RM-2 and a
for a rezoning of the
creating
a
text
change
Code
of 140 feet for
maximum height
Zoning

1998, 5937

August of
Atlantic Development
In

Collins,

square feet in size. At

request and
meeting,
the Miami Beach Planning Board reviewed the
its June 22, 1999,
1 to RMto rezone the subject property from RMapproved a motion (5 to 2)
2 and to
create a Zoning Code text change with a maximum height:
of 140 feet for RM- 2 oceanfront properties over 100, 000
square feet in size.As part of their motion of approval, the Board recommended

RM- 2 oceanfront

properties over

100, 000

that

portions of the property structures

to saving original
as
the
property
and apply to designate
a historic
" site". Since
met
the June 22, 1999, Planning Board meeting, 5937 Collins, Inc.,
application
be
historic
desi
g
nat
i
o
n
who
request
e
d
that
officials
the
with City staff
processed concurrently with the property rezoning. This historic site designation report and application,
prepared by 5937 Collins, Inc.,for the
the applicant commit

Bath Club, Inc.,are being submitted in response

to both the Planning B021rd recommendation and the request of City
1999, the City of Miami
Planning Staff. On July 13,
consider
directing
Beach Planning Department requested the Historic Preservation Board to
staff to prepare a
property

owner,

the

with recommendations regarding the possible designation of the Bath Club

site.This request was believed appropriate by staff due to the architectural
a
local
historic
as
design of the building and its period of construction; the reputation of its architect,
as
Robert A.Taylor; and the historical nature of the site
preliminary evaluation report

private bathing club in the early development of Miami Beach. At the same
the Board reviewed said request and unanimously approved a
2 absent, 1 vacancy) to direct
motion 6
( to 0;
a
meeting,

in cooperation with the applicant to prepare

work
the possible
preliminary
evaluation report with recommendations reg21rding
a
At its August 18,
designation of the Bath Club as a local historic site.
Preservation Board reviewed the preliminary evaluation report with recommendations prepared by
1999, meeting, the Historic
Department regarding
and the staff of the
5937 Collins, Inc.,
Planning
Board
the designation of the Bath Club as an historic site. The
found
the proposed historic site to be in compliance with the criteria for
l
i
s
t
e
d
in Sections 118- 591 through 118- 593 in the Land Development
designation
of
the
Regulations
City Code and approved a
staff to

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation

9,
September
motion
( 7 to 0;
a
u
n
a
n
i
m
o
u
s
l
y
approved
1 absence, 1
Board
as an
Bath
Club
the
of
the
desi
g
nat
i
o
n
approval
of
vacancy) to recommend
as reflected in
historic site in ac ordance with staff recommendations,
this designation report. The Board further recommended that the proposed
historic site consist of contributing and noncontributing structures or features as identified
Club, constructed in 1927 under
The original Bath
in Exhibit A.
those
portions that were essentially utilitarian in
except
i
o
n
of
the
2188,
with
Permit No.

At its

structure),
nature (such as the locker rooms and the elevated pool
are the "
as well as certain additions constructed between 1927 and 1938
All structures or features constructed on
contributing" structures and features on the historic site.
1938, as well as any portions which were built prior to
subject site after
1938 but are more utilitarian in nature, do not contribute to the

the

special

historic

character

of

the original Bath

the
hence, are noncontri
" buting" structures or features on
and,
to
7
motion
(
approved
a
Board
unani
m
ousl
y
the
Pl
a
nni
n
g
Sept
e
mber
28,
site.
historic
1999,
On
to recommend approval of the designation of the Bath
0)

Club

Club

as an
historic site in accordance with staff recommendations, as reflected
in
this designation report. II.DESIGNATION PROCESS The process of historic designation is delineated
591 through 118- 593 in Subpart B of
in Sections 118-

the

Land

Development

Regulations of the City Code (Chapter 118, Article X,Division 4).

process is delineated below. Step

One: A request for designation is made either by the City
Commission, the Historic Preservation Board, other agencies and organizations
as listed in the Land Development Regulations of
An outline of this

or the property owners involved. Proposals for

designation shall included a completed application form

the City

Code,

available from

the Planning Department. Step Two:The Planning Department

prepares a preliminary evaluation report with recommendations for consideration by

Board.Step Three: The Historic Preservation Board considers the preliminary

evaluation to determine if proceeding with

the

warranted. The
designation report is
report is an historical and architectural analysis

proposed district

or

designation
of the

site.The

describes the historic, architectural, and/ or archeological significance

report:1)
the property or subject area proposed
for Historical Site or District designation; 2)

of

recommends Evaluation

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

Step Four:

3) will

serve

Development

Regulations of

the

to

Land

the City

Code. The designation report is presented to the Board at a public

hearing. If the Board determines that the proposed site or district satisfies
the requirements for designation as set forth in the Land
Development Regulations of the City Code, the Board transmits a
recom endation in favor

Step Five:

an attachment

as

of

designation to

the Planning

Board

and

City

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the

proposed designation, and shall consider the proposed historic designation
as an amendment to the Land Development Regulations of the
City Code and,subsequently, transmit its recommendation to the

Commission.

City

The City Commission may adopt an amendment to the

Land Development Regulations of the City Code which thereby
designates the Historic Preservation Site or Historic District
after (
10)
ten (
less
of
land
a
parcel
public
hear
i
n
g
than
1) for
land
which
par
c
el
of
a
hear
i
n
gs
for
2)
after
(
contiguous
public
acres or
is more

Commission.

Step Six:

than

ten 10)contiguous acres.

CRITERIA 1.In

III. RELATION TO ORDINANCE

accordance with Section

118- 592 in the Land Development Regulations of

for designation is determined on the basis of
compliance

the

City Code, eligibility

below.

The
a)
Historic Preservation Board
to
have
recommend that properties be designated as historic
buildings, historic structures, historic improvements, historic landscape
features, historic interiors ( architecturally significant public portions only),historic sites or historic
districts if they are significant in the historical, architectural,
cultural, aesthetic or archeological heritage of the city, the county, state
shall possess an integrity
or nation. Such properties
feeling or association and
of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,

with

the

listed

set

criteria

forth

shall

meet

at

criteria: 1)Association

least

with

the

authority

one ( 1)of the following

events that have made a significant contribution

to

the history of the city, the

county, state

or

nation;

2)
Association with the lives of
our

past

history; 3)

Embody

persons

significant

the distinctive characteristics

in

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

4)
Possess high artistic

values;5)Represent the work

outstanding or representative work
or builder who

contributed

of a

master, serve

as

an

a master designer, architect

to our historical, aesthetic

of

or

heritage; 6)Have yielded,

important in pre-

architectural

information

Be
history or history; 7)
Register of

Historic

are likely to

or

yield

listed in the National

Consist
Places;8)

of a

that possesses

geographicaly

concentration

a
definable area
of sites, buildings or structures united by historically significant
past events or aesthetically by plan or physical
significant

development, whose
components

lack individual distinction. b)A building, structure ( including the

public portions of the interior), improvement or landscape feature may

may

even if it has been altered if the alteration

reversible and the most significant architectural

be designated historic

is
elements are intact and

it

repairable.

the

complies with

is eligible for designation as

criteria as specified in Section 118- 592

2.The

Bath

Club

in the Land
Development

outlined above. a) The Bath Club,

at 5937 Collins Avenue, is eligible for historic designation

Regulations of the City Code

located
and in

conformance

with

the

reasons: 1)Association

with

designation criteria
events that have

for
made

the

following

significant

contribution

to

stateor
of the citv, the County,
the history
Mi
a
mi
Beach'
nation;Constructed in 1927, the Bath Club became
s earliest private bathing club. Its formation, as detailed in
the Historica/ Background section to fo/low, is directly
to the rapid rate
annual and seasona~and

related

of population growth,both
to

land development boom experienced in Miami Beach during the 1920'

The history of the Club itself,as detailed in
s.
the Historica/ Background section be/ow,close/y parallels other events in
the history of the City of Miami Beach, both being
the

affected by the

same

natural and

social forces. Specifically, some of

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

1)the practice of ethnic

seen in both the early history of Miami Beach

Bath Club include: (

segregation,commonly

the prevalence and importance of

Club,2)
(
the military population in the City of Miami Beach and at the
( )
the later
War 11,and 3
World
Club during
and of the

wave of ethnic desegregation and the increased integration

of Cuban, Central American,and South American populations into
Miami Beach and finally into the Club. The Clubs history also
tracks the many storms that have impacted
the South Rorida area. 2)Association

with

the

lives

of

persons

past history;The Bath Clubs original member

many of the prominent men of business
roster
and industry who relocated to Miami Beach, building many
of its earliest grand homes, and/ or frequented the island
significant in our
included

in the popular winter season. Among these members were

Harvey S.Rrestone, of the Rrestone Tire Company, who also built
a grand estate at the current site of the Fontainebleau
Barton, son of Philadelphia socialites
Hotel;Alfred
who later
Carol
i
n
e
Barton,
Hunter
1.
and
became president of the Surf Club. 3)
Embodv
the distinctive characteristics of an historical period, architectural
or design style or method of construction; The Bath Clubs
original structures are clear examples of the
Mediterranean Revival style of architecture, a picturesque style originated
in South Rorida during the
and popularized
period of 1915- 1940. Like most examples of
Mediterranean Revival architecture in South Rorida, the Clubs original
buildings, in particular the Clubs entry areas,the Governors lounge,

and

eclectic

the original dining hall,show

blending of

a composite

Old World architectural

Tuscan, Venetian, Gothic, as well

various

Spanish Renaissance, Moorish,

Greek elements. The pitched roofs of red
classical
as
roof
tiles stem from Spanish and Tuscan building traditions. The
clay
broad arches seen on the western side of the
buildings and at the loggia outside the Governors lounge stem
from the Romanesque tradition. The loggia itself is
styles

including

an element dating back to early

Greek architectural traditions. The pointed

arches of the Governors lounge and at each end of the

entry hall are related to both Gothic and
Venetian architectural traditions. The hand- hewn heavy wooden ceiling
beams and the heavy wooden doors seen
throughout the original structures are reminiscent of medieval
Spanish architecture. The smooth, unfluted columns at the loggia

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

double columns supporting arches next to the ballroom entry

doors are variations on the Tuscan Order; the double column
arch support is also an architectural detail very typical in
Moorish architecture. The loggia- lined enclosed courtyard is a
concept dating back to ancient Greek and Roman tradition, as
well as being a prominent element in traditional Andalusian
Moorish architecture.
4)
Possess high artistic

BathClub' s many eclectic elements discussed above

are products of the important tradition of craftsmanship that
grew out of the Mediterranean Revival architectural movement
in South Rorida. These elements include handcrafted tile
work,hand- hewn wooden ceiling beams, hand- carved
values; The

wooden
and

seen at the western end of

doors ( as

even the hand-painted

ceiling

seen

hallway),
entry

the

on the later

ballroom

addition. 5)Represent the

outstanding or representative
or builder who

work

work

contributed

of

of

a master, serve

as

master

to our

designer,

an

architect

aesthetic

historical.

or

Club was designed by successful

local architect, Robert A
Taylor, in 1927. Taylor was
Rooney, an early Miami
B.T.
the principal architect for N.
developer.
Beach
Notable architecturalworks among Taylor's
Espanola Way
outsandigcare r include Rooney' s Spanish Village on
George Browne residence
in 1925 and the
was
at
170 James Avenue (Browne
architectural heritage; The

Rooney'

are likely

to

Bath

sales manager)

Have yielded, or
in 1925. 6)

vield

pre-history
Club, though unlikely to
information important in

or

history; The Bath

information regarding premarker for

history, serves as a
important historical events that have affected the development and people
a)
of the City of Miami Beach. Please refer to section l(
important

yield

valuable

above
for a discus ion of these

Be
historical events. 7)

listed in the National

Bath Club

it

is

Register of Historic

neither listed individually as

located

an

within an historic

Places;Currently,

the

historic site nor is

district

in the National

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

have substantial potential to be determined to be

individual historic sIte designation.

Consist of
8)

eligible

for

geographicallv definable area that pos es es

concentration of sites, buildings or

a significant
structures united by historically significant past events or aesthetical y
bv plan or physical development whose components may
lack individual
distinction; This criterion is

not

applicable

to

an individual historic

site
structure (including the public portions of the
improvement, or landscape feature may be designated historic even
interior),

designation.

b) A

building,

if it has been altered if the alteration is reversible and the

most significant architectural elements are intact and

repairable.

Although the

Bath

Clubs

buildings

have

undergone

over the years,many of the Clubs structures still

maintain a high degree of their original architectural integrity. These
Governor' s
ha/~
structures include the Clubs entry lobby, entrance
restrooms. Please refer
ha/~
and original
lounge, original dining
numerous

alterations

to Architectural Background section for

additions and

details

on

the history of

alterations. Other areas of the Club have been significantly altered but could
be restored to their original states. These areas include the Clubs
the 1968 porte-cochere
main entry behind
entrance

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
addition.IV.
Avenue ( see Map 1).
located at 5937 Collins
OF BOUNDARIES The Bath Club is
side of
eastern
the
It is an oceanfront parcel of land situated along
the Maison Grande Condominium to the north,
Collins Avenue. Its immediate neighbors are:
former Pritikin Flamingo Health Center) to the south, and the
the Royal York the
(

Mirabella
is 230,124 square
area
west. The
total site
Ocean, and
feet (5.
28 acres).Its eastern frontage, along the beach, Atlantic
its
western
feet;
the Erosion Control Line, is ap roximately 538
frontage, along Collins Avenue, is approximately 659 feet; its northern frontage,

site to the

adjoining

southern

the Maison Grande

frontage, adjoining

is

1,

property, is

the former Royal York/

Pritikin

466 feet. The legal

THE

approximately 311 feet; and

its

Center,

description

for the site is as fol ows: Tract

BATH CLUB PROPERTY, according to the Plat

thereof, recorded

in

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

bounded

On the East by the Erosion Control Line; on the West

line of Collins Avenue; on the North and South by the Northerly and
as

follows:

Easterly
Southerly lines of said

by the

Tract

1.
The folio number for the property

is:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE

004- 0010. V.
321402-

IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION The property is currently improved with a country club
facility, namely The Bath
Club. The improvements include approximately
structures,
i
n
c
l
u
di
n
g
of
feet
a large ballroom, a dining hall, a lounge,
building
54,000 square
a small library and card room, a large kitchen facility, a restaurant/ bar,

SITE

administrative

offices,

men's and women'

restrooms,

a poolside

110 pool cabanas.

pavilion,and approximately
asphalt tennis
Other property improvements include: approximately 105 parking spaces, three (3)
pool
not
swimming
b
a
s
k
e
t
b
a
l
court,
courts, a handball/
in use), a freshwater
a rooftop saltwater
l
a
rge
paved
pool terrace (onsmall courtyard, a
swimming pool (in use), a
snack bar

grade),

two 2)
(

guard house. VI.PRESENT OWNERS As of the date of this report, the

Owner of Record of the Bath Club site is The Bath Club, Inc. The
as a result of
property, however, is currently under contract for purchase
Agreement dated May 22, 1998, between The Bath
a Purchase and Sale
seller,
and
the
Collins, Inc.,the purchaser. The Purchase and
5937
Club,Inc.,
1998, upon the closing of
Sale Agreement went into affect on July 30,
a refinancing loan for the Bath Club, Inc.,whereby the purchaser, 5937 Collins,Inc.,
acted as guarantor for the
porte- cocheres, and a small entry

mortgage

loan,The
purchaser has the option to terminate the agre ment at any time prior to December
private
31,1999, VII. PRESENT USE The property is currently being used as a

country

club facility,

Club has
The property is currently zoned as RM- 1,
City
The
Map
to
Di
s
t
r
i
c
t
(
Intensity
Resi
d
ent
i
a
l
Mul
t
i
Fami
l
y
of Miami Beach
2).
refer
Low
in
RM- 3
site was re-zoned from its prior zoning clas if cation of
request; the down
at the property owner' s
1994
of April 30,
zoning was approved by the Miami Beach City Commission as
Number 94- 2918),The purchaser of the property, 5937
1994 as( per Ordinance
Collins, Inc.,however, applied for a rezoning of the site in March of 1999.
requested a new RMThe rezoning application
of
2 City(

namely the Bath Club.As of the

approximately 175 members. VIII.PRESENT ZONING

Miami Beach Multi-

date of

this report, the

PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF THE

5937 COLLINS
BATH CLUB (
AVENUE) AS AN HISTORIC

lJ

SITE

8
Z

rn

z
i

i5

BATH CLUB SITE LOCATION

5937 COLLINS
AVENUE) AND SURROUNDING ZONING

DISTRICTS (

i)

o
J=

z
o

U)

z
3

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

Beach Planning Board gave the rezoning application a favorable

recommendation at its June
22, 1999, meeting. The rezoning request will
September of 1999, and again
be heard by the Miami Beach City Commission in

The

Miami

in October of 1999 concur(rently

application

with

the

for historic
designation). IX.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The setting for the
located

on

Bath Club

is the City of Miami

a seven- mile long barrier island off the

Beach, which is

coast of South Florida.

Miami

Beach

S. began an avocado
1896
swampy, mangrove- covered " island".
plantation on the
In 1905,the U.
creating Fisher Island and a deep- water connection
S.
Government dredged " Government Cut",
platted
Atlantic
Ocean
and Biscayne Bay. The first subdivision on the island was
the
between
had its origins in

when

John

Collins

was the wooden

N.Lummus in 1912. The first bridge to the area
J.
The area was incorporated as a town in 1915, with a
Collins Bridge, opened in 1913.
of
voting
thirty-three, and as a city in 1917.During these
population
early years, a large influx of vacationing Northerners began to visit Miami Beach
during its mild winter seasons, especially South Beach at its southern tip.The
Collins Bridge was replaced
winter population surge became so great that the

by

by
Way in 1926 to accommodate growing vehicular traffic. The first organizational
exclusive bathing club on Miami Beach occurred
efforts to create a new
in the winter of 1926. Bath Club founding members, among them many wealthy midWestern winter citizens, joined together in the desire to form a private club
that would offer its members ocean and swimming pool bathing, social rooms, dining, and

the larger

Venetian

crowds of South Beach, this club

currently available at Miami Beach' s prime
offer a
its
the
time,
the
public Miami Beach Casino, with
bathing resorts of
popular Roman Pools,and the newer Roney Plaza Hotel, finished in 1926.
These resorts were extremely crowded during the winter season, when the population of
the Beach swelled with thousands of seasonal tourists and residents, and they
were
dancing. Setting itself

would

also

away

from

the

more restrictive atmosphere than

progressively becoming the favored bathing locations for the island' s growing Jewish population. Another factor
club may have
that may have influenced the decision to build the new
the devastating hurricane in September of
been the aftermath of
and
the
milder hurricane in October of 1926. These hurricanes, particularly the
1926

earlier, destroyed many homes, and severely damaged many of the hotels and casinos on Miami
have been a cause for reflection as the
Beach. The wake of destruction left behind may
great drive to rebuild and repair began. It may have sparked in many of

affluent residents of the beach the idea of starting anew farther to the north. The
relatively
specific location for the Bath Club was to be a site in the
and then 56th
desolate northern portion of Miami Beach. The site, located at Collins Avenue
in 1922.
grove,
even
mango
a
large
avocado
Street, was part of
and
The parcel of land was purchased by the Bath Club organizers in
1926 from the Miami Beach Bayshore Corporation, a Carl Fisher company. The chosen

the

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

for Newton (' N. B.T.") Roney in his Spanish Village at Espanola Way and
who had been hired by the Beach Club in Palm Beach to oversee remedial work on
Mr, Taylor designed the one- story clubhouse in the
its new club

buildings

buildings.

Mediterranean Revival style, with a rooftop saltwater swimming pool and fifty-seven
150,000 structure began in
oceanfront cabanas. Construction on the $
Harrison
Constructi
on Company. The Club construction
R.
June of 1927 by the M.
in December of 1927, and a dinner dance celebrating its opening
was finished

was held on January 7,1928. Initial Club rules,drafted by the original charter
members of the club, including Alfred Barton who
( soon- after became the president of
the Surf Club), Nash Matthews, and Fred A. Poor, made very little reference to
blacks, Jews, and Catholics from
its de facto restrictive policies excluding
Memberships to 100
rules
The
Club
limited Founder
membership.
i
n
vol
v
ed
The membership fees
and Associate Memberships to 100.
$
500 and annual dues of 200,
initial fee of 1,
$
During its first few
winter seasons. Despite
only
during
the
years
of operation, the Club was open
its limited operating season, the Club was an instant success, and membership began to

an

grow

quickly. As

the club

roster

expanded, the

Club

began

to expand

its facilities by adding more cabanas and enlarging its dining facilities. During World War II,
the homes of many
the cities of Miami and Miami Beach became
military troops intraining for wartime service. In the spring of 1941, thousands of U.
soldiers arrived in Miami Beach; many of Miami Beach' s
s.
Army
hotels (over 140 hotels, in fact)and private clubs became housing barracks and

facilities for these troops. During this period, the Bath Club facilities were used
of officers of the Armed Forces and their families, both as a mess
training

by hundreds

hall and for entertainment; the Club facilities operated on a year round basis.After the end
limited operations during the winter
its
of
the war, the Club returned to
1945 to 1950, Miami and Miami
seasons. During the
post- war period of
Oct
o
ber
of 1950, Miami Beach and,therefore,
In
Beach were hit by eight ( 8)
hurricanes.
one
of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall
the Club were hit by

during the post-war period. The Club sustained significant roof damage, and
many of the cabanas were destroyed. After repairing and rebuilding, the Club initiated
the practice of operating during the summer months as well
as the winter
season. The expanded operated season was successful. As membership
9)years, the Club added the fall months
grew over the next nine (
its
to
annual operating calendar. The Club continued this pattern of
During these times
two ( 2)
growth and expanded operations over the next
decades.

prosperity, the Club

s and early 1980'

of

underwent

many

renovations,

and additions.

alterations,

s,its beach was replenished, and the dune was created

beach restoration

larger
half of

the

project

1980'

on Miami Beach.

As

as

In

the late

part of

1970'

the club entered into the

s,however, its membership

began to

second

decline. In

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

reduced

depleted already

operating funds.

the Club

began to
and control declining profits. To

During this period,

research methods to decrease overhead and taxes

this end, it sold off portions of its property across Collins Avenue, selling both its
property (where the Club' s tennis courts were previously located, now
Tract
2"
of 6000 Collins Avenue) and

part

Creek

Drive (previously

Club parking)

To even further reduce

of its

Tract

remaining tract ('

in the late 1990'

sale.5937
Collins

its

the

late
its property taxes, the
from RM- 3
1")
during

property
Tract
"3"
1980'

and

on

Indian

early 1990' s.

Club requested a down zoning

to RM- 1 in 1994. finally,
s,
the Club placed its remaining property tract for

became
Inc.
ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND The
August of 1998. X.
Mediterranean
of
the
Revival architectural movement
fine example
Club
that originated and became quite popular in South florida during the period 1915c)
1940.Please refer to designation criterion l(
above

the purchaser of the

Property

in

is a

Bath

for details on

the specific

building to this architectural style.

buildings were one-to two- story structures built of

elements that

The Club' s original

link the

reinforced concrete columns and concrete block walls sitting on a concrete spread footing and
walls were finished in texturedstucco. The original roofs of
the Club' s main buildings (including the foyer, Governor' s Lounge, and original
dining hall) were gabled and constructed of heavy timber framing, with large handhewn wooden beams; these roofs were protected with ceramic barrel roof tiles.
pile foundation. The

The roofs above the more utilitarian Club structures ( including the original locker
room area later the restaurant) above the mechanical spaces that are housed below
the swimming pool and the newer locker room wing) were flat
concrete structural decks, which usually doubled as open decks supporting second story
cabana structures. The Club' s original cabana structures ( including rooftop cabanas

as well

as

beachfront)were single- story wood- framed shed

buildings

and a combination of wood and metal framed canopy

from aerial
is evident
photographs of the
original structures
The
shaped" arrangement facing the
dating back to as early as 1927: a double " usite
cabanas
to
the south of
of
l
a
rger,
wider
arrangement
U"was the
first "
ocean. The
the site. Behind this single layerof cabanas, there existed the
and ancillary structures ( the dining room, Governor' s Lounge,
Club' s public
foyer, swimming pool,locker rooms, etc.).
These structures were arranged linearly along the eastern edge
of Collins Avenue which follow the roadway' s wide sweeping CUNe, To the north of
shaped arrangement of cabanas, which again are opened to
the site was a tight uwith vertical wood sheathing
arrangement of

roofing.

the

plain concrete
wall finished in stucco. It is interesting to note that this
double "U" arrangement resulted in a development that was focused inwardly and
eastwardly, almost completely turning its back on Collins Avenue. This architectural design was most
the ocean and

certainly

intended

to

enclosed on

their

promote

western and northern edges by

1927 1927 1929 1930

DESIGNATION REPORT A second interesting point is that the architectural arrangement

Club strongly favored beach bathing to bathing in the Club' s swimming
The
swimming
pool.
pool deck was tucked unobtrusively along the west side of the site on
a second level roof deck. Being surrounded by fairly high, utilitarian walls, possibly
a consequence of its location directly adjacent to Collins Avenue, the swimming pool

BATH CLUB

of the

and its deck offered only very limited, if any,views of the ocean or the
a very functional manner; it was
Intercoastal. The saltwater pool was designed in
quite large and completely unadorned. Its surrounding pool deck was equally unadorned; it
was quite narrow in comparison to the size of the pool. This pool deck was
obviously not designed to comfortably ac ommodate a
The Club structures have undergone numerous additions and
years
2)
alterations; the first of these
modifications began just two (
after the original structures were completed. The history of these additions and
alterations can be clearly traced through the building permit record and
the available construction documents. The permit and drawing documentation is listed below
The building permit references that are written in
(
in chronological order. Note:
not
italics do
have available architectural plans; the building permit references that are written
in a plain
font

large number of sunbathers.

do

have available architectural drawings.)

Permit #2188 Original Bath Club

Structures. Type

of Construction: CBS,

Reinf.Concrete with Spread

footing foundation.General Contractor:
Robert
Harrison Construction Architect:
A.

Taylor Building Size Front.

Bath Club Swimming
$
240;Depth: 70'Cost: 125,000
Pool Robert A.
Taylor Architect ( Spanish
Miami,
Belsham, Engineer (
Beach,
Florida) Richard A.
Village, Miami
Florida)

Only

drawing that seems to remain from original

1927 Construction Documents.Permit #
2985 Addition

to

kitchen

and cafeteria; New cabanas.

Taylor
proposed addition
to

Contractor: Harrison Construction Co.Architect: RobertA.

Cost" 3
$ 0,000 Schematic plans for the

of Cabanas at the Property

the Bath
the South of

Miami Beach,

Florida) Two schemes

Club

generally

Robert A.Taylor, Architect (

drawn - one

shows

24

new cabanas (

with a cost estimate of 23,

$ 784; the

41

second

shows

1930 1933 1933 1934

1938 1946 1947 BATH CLUB

1936

DESIGNATION REPORT

Additions &Alterations

to the Bath

Beach, Florida) Front office added to north of

a wooden Dutch door and
counter windows opening up into existing lobby. New
two 2)
foyer added to east, underneath existing exterior stair, connecting
Taylor, Architect ( Miami
Club Robert A.
lobby,with

entry hall
incinerator

loggia)
( to

room added

to

the cafeteria (present- day library).New

north of

new front office. New lounge/

dining area, relocating

Bath
and locker rooms

houses

further to the

northwest. Permit #5480

of
Tract 2 construction
three (
3)

tennis courts,
pro

shop,and
Co.

fence.

Contractor: Mead Construction

Cost. $
2,
500 Permit #5753

Tap

Bar.Contractor.' Sandquist

Construction Co Architect: Robert

Cost: $3,
600

036 Addition
Permit 6
#
new loggia

to bar;
at

cafeteria;

addition
to
dance floor; new windows in great
hall.Contractor.'John B.
Orr,

Inc.
9022
500 Permit #
$
Architect: RobertA. Taylor Cost'8,
Const
r
u
ct
i
o
n
M.
Harrison
Cont
r
a
ct
o
r
:
R.
Addition.

Co,Architect:Robert

A.

Taylor
Cost. $
6,

000

11992
Permit #

Addition

of

dining

and enlargement

Taylor
A.

1948 1948 1950 1950

1951 1951

1952

1952

CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

Wharf
5' x
Timber
1
BATH

O~

Contractor: Ebsary Foundation

Co.

Whittaker Cost. $
Engineer: Zurwel/ e520 Permit #
1,
27462
Addition
of two 2)
(

cabanas.Contractor: MR. Harrison

Frederick
Construction Co.Architect: Cs.
Cost. $

5,

000 Permit #27463 Addition

of

toilet
two 2)
(

rooms

at Tract 2.
Contractor: M.

34468 Parking lot

Harrison Construction Cost:1,
A.
$ 000 Permit #
000 Proposed
at Tract 3.Contractor: Troup Brothers, Inc. Cost.1,$

replacement

cabanas Architect unknown Shows

location of replacement cabanas for

founding

members after

the

destruction

of
the existing cabanas

by the hurricane in October

of 1950. Permit # 36415 Repairs to
pool
platform.

Contractor:MR.Harrison Construction

Co.Engineer: N.

000 Permit #
Dignum Cost. $ 17,
J.

36713

Addition
to

Club.

Harrison

R.
Contractor: MR.Harrison Construction Co,Architect: M.

Construction Co. Cost. $

500 Permit #
4,

37350

1952 1952 1954 1954

1954

1955 1955
1955 1956 BATH

CLUB

DESIGNATION
REPORT

Permit 42756
# Sandblasting pool.
Contractor:
$ Permit #
All-AmericanSandblasting Cost.417
42798

Sandblast

and gunite swimming

Walters Co.
pool.Contractor: R. J.

Inc.Cost. $2,
300

Permit #

45113 Remodeling

dining room.

Contractor: M.R.Harrison

Construction

Co. Architect: S.
Zacher Cost. $12,000
Permit #46373 Install five (5) exhaust fans. Contractor: Hill Fan
Company

Cost. $ 1,

800

Alterations &. New

Acoustical

Room Stefan H.
Zachar, AIA Architect (1650 Lenox Avenue,
Miami Beach, Florida) New cove, down lighting, and
acoustical
ceiling at dining room;microphone system added. Band stand added

in

dining

room?
Dining
room is not as lengthy as today. Permit #
47400 Remove old
fireplace

and

add new

room for air conditioning.

Contractor: 1.
Woodruff

Cost: $

900
Permit 4#7690

Install one 1-

ton and one

ton

1j2-

Ceiling

in

Dining

1956 1956 1959 1959

1962
1962 1963 1963 1963 BATH
REPORT

CLUB DESIGNATION

Permit #

50145

Addition

of small

air conditioning equipment building. Contractor: Owner Cost:

400

Permit #50207 Removing

one (
1)
wooden

cabana and replace with

show room;remodeling. Contractor:

1.

Woodruff

HP pkg, air conditioner.

One 20Cost'2,
$ 000Permit 5# 8824
Cost:
$
Co.,
Inc.
Domestic
Contractor.'
Refrigeration
6,
000

Permit #60399 Repair the roof

cabanas &section of a third
cabana. Contractor.' Ideal Roofing and

of two

(2)

Sheet

Metal

Cost: $
shaped retaining wall approxi
( mately
850 Permit #66637 L''
high,ap roximately 200linear feet
22"

along
west
Contractor: M.
property line).

Harrison Construction Corp.

R.

Cost. $

800

Permit #68070

Replace board

walk with

concrete;

repair

pool deck.

Contractor.'

M.
R.
Harrison Construction Corp.Cost.4,
$
000
Permit #70036 Card room and alterations. Contractor.'
000 Permit #70552
Cost:55,
$
A vant Construction
Install one 15HP air conditioning system and one
air conditioning system. Contractor.'

HP
10-

1963 1964 1964 1965

1965 1966 1967 1968 BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT Existing

fireplace in dining room
deactivated. Future board room extension at dining room. Air conditioning building and
small

cooling tower added to east of dining room.Ceiling and

floor alterations in dining room.Speaker system added. Existing conditons plan
shows

in place

cafeteria

of today' s library.
Re-

surveyof 1951

Site Survey

#
Surveyors Permit 72851
Zurwelle Whittaker, Inc.,

Replace

mooring
five 5)
(

piles. Contractor: Little River

Proposed Apartment Building

Cost.400
$

Marine Construction Co.

at the Bath Club John L.

Volk Associ
&ates Architects ( Palm
Beach, Florida) Architectural plans show an apartment building planned for
present- day Maison Grande). One and a
the northern third of the site (adjacent to

half floors

apartments

for

of parking; six (

6)

floors of

total
of 24 apartments ranging in

size from

235 to
2,

340
3,

square

Project
feet.

never

built.Permit #75098 Second-

story addition consisting of

11

cabanas above

storage rooms. Contractor: Baumgartner Construction

Co.Architect: John Vo/ k Engineer: Richie and
000
Cost.23,
$

existing locker and

New

Volk &Associates
Cabanas John L.

Crocker

Architects (Palm Beach, Florida)

11
concrete

cabanas added at
existing
roof level above
(
lockers),

concrete cabanas
replacing wooden cabanas. Four (4)

at grade, adjacent to existing wooden cabanas. Permit #78941

Sandblasting swimming pool.Contractor: Alert Sandblasting Co.Cost. 4$ 50 Intersection Details,

added

AlA

1968 1969 1969 1969

1969 1969

1971-1973 BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT Install new

10'high front wall and new

permanent
entrance canopy.Contractor:
Construction

Harrison
M.R.

Co.

Cost. $

20,000 Front

Entrance Alterations Wahl Snyder Architect & Associates ( E.79ti1 Street, Miami, Florida) Removal
of existing front wall south of the entry lobby
consequence of Collins widening
to accommodate new entry driveway ( driveway alteration
and turning lane changes, see above, in 1967);wall

is

relocated farther east with

a

new wall with arches with brick infil!.

New
Porte-cochere added.Permit #

81460

Timber
docks and

piles

mooring

as

per

plan. Contractor:

Ebeary

Foundation
Cost: $
Co.
rooften (
800 Permit # 82463 Re10,
10)

squares.
Contractor: { Essingblood -

sp?}
Inc.
Co.
Cost. $
1,

Permit 82795
# Interior alterations. Contractor:
270
60, 000
Co.Cost. $
Harrison
Construction
M.
R.
$ 00
squares.
Contractor:
Permit #83109 Re- rooften ( 10)
Bohnert Roofing Cost. 6
Alterations &.Additions to
Food Service Facilities Severud Knight Boerema

Architects ( 2971 Coral

Way, Miami, Florida)New freezers, cooler,
staff toilets, and bake shop room

7 scullery.

New

chefs

office

added

behind existing

kitchen

built

Warriner Architect (Miami,

in kitchen. Card Room Alterations Gerald E.
Florida) Cafeteria (present-day library)
converted into "
Buffeteria" with card room upstairs becoming a small
dining hall.Internalwooden stairway added to connect " Buffeteria" to upstairs
dining hall; proposed elevator also shown. Solar bronze glazing

in bronze anodized aluminum

frames added

1972 1973 1973 1975

1976 1976 1976 BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT Drawings show original
trellis in western patio removed and proposed
replacement to be a screened roofing structure. Existing columns outside
western entrance of dining room removed and replaced with arches supporting
a new roof structure ( thus extending the exterior corridor leadingto the
western edge ofthe Governor' s lounge). Present- day manager'
s
office shown as the "
Waiting Room".Permit # 88157 Glass and
storefront
work.
Contractor:M.

Harrison Construction Co.

Cost.20,$
R.

500
Permit #

Harrison Construction
88366 Interior remodeling. Contractor: M.R.
5,
Co.
Cost. $
000

Permit 04036
# Sandblasting
and gunite repair to existing
swimming pool. Contractor: Snapp, Inc.
Cost.1,
$ 500 Proposed Bar Remodeling William E. Tschumy, Jr.Architect ( 2346 Douglas Road,
Coral Gables, Florida) Drawings show the enclosure of the area in front
of the existing lounge to
create a seating porch (present- day lower seating level of the restaurant). New
acoustical ceiling at
room to the
bar to rear of lounge sideto
locker
room
west (never done).Women'
rear of lounge
tile floor and
to be converted into card room. New

lounge.Proposed relocation

of

existing

new doors at

cafeteria (
present-

day
library).
40, 710 cost
estimate

for

all
alterations
at bar; $ 20, 314
cost

estimate

for

alterations
at cafeteria. Permit # 09676

Reroof

1976 1978 1981 1981

1981

1982-1984 1983
1983 BATH CLUB
DESIGNATION
REPORT

Permit # 10014
room. Contractor:
Remodeling toilet
Charlie

Braznell
500 Permit 13804
# Reroof
Cost.3,
$

11

squares.Contractor:

Roofing
&
L

Cost. $
4,

000 Permit 20989

#
Gunite

repairs

to columns and

beams;
no

structural enlargement Contractor:

$
Snapp Ind.Cost.17,

Partial
500 Permit 21202
#
demolition

north cabanas only. Contractor:

$
000 Permit #21296 Paved
Juelle Brothers Cost. 4,
irrigation. Contractor: Williams
parking lot,
lighting, landscaping, and
Paving Co. Cost:35,
$ 000

Bath Club Additions &.Alterations

Inc.888
(
Johnson Associate Architects,
Brickell
Avenue, Miami,Florida)
Harrison
Construction, Contractor? both
(
Johnson &Harrison were
members) Renovation of existing locker rooms. New snack bar
added. 121 cabanas added and 132 new parking spaces. Extensive landscaping

improvements.

tennis courts
3)

Three (

added; clay finish

specified. Entrance court outside present- day restaurant renovated, rear

porte-

cochere added;new wall tile at exterior

wall outside restaurant

entrance, and new opening and doors

at

restaurant
entrance.New concrete stair up to roof
rooms. Permit #24703 Demolition of cabanas
at

above

locker

1983 1983 1984 1984

1984
1984 1984 1984

1984

BATH

#
CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT Permit 91141
Remodel

locker
Contractor: MR.Harrison
room area only.

Construction Co.Cost. $ 350,000 Permit #

91145

Additions, cabanas,

racquetball

court not

R.
Harrison
included.Contractor: M.
Construction Co. Cost. $
A Applicant requests variances to construct new cabanas: (

800, 000 File No.1594-

1)applicant to waive 18 feet 3 inches of the required 20 foot

front yard
setback in order to replace the existing wood frame
cabanas at the Zd floor level with new concrete frame cabanas; 2)
( applicant requests

the

waiving of

9 feet

of the

required 50

foot
rear

yard setback in
order to build a walkway along

the

rear

(
Permit #
24949 Repair three 3)
dock pilings.Contractor:

cabanas.
Dock &

Marine

750
Construction Cost:
$
01282 Racquetball court only.
Permit #

Contractor:

M.
Harrison Construction
R.

000 Permit #
Cost. $
9,
Co.
25121
Reroof

159 squares;entry through

parking

lot

000
$
Ideal Roof Cost.40,
Permit #

Contractor:

1984 1984 1985 1985

1985

1988 BATH
91254
Permit
#
DESI
G
NATI
O
N
REPORT
CLUB
1985 1986 1986 1987

Counter

at

400
bar;1,

snack

square

feet

Contractor: MR. Harrison Construction Co.Cost.

6,

500 Permit #
26299
Construct

185+
linear feet
link fence

foot high chain

of 7-

with

black

cover.
Contractor.' Owner Cost. $300 Permit #26523 Outlot/ replace

vinyl
existing
Contractor:

four (4)

plans.

piles as per
Dock Marine.
& Cost. $

3,

000

28,1985 Tract
Entry March
-

and Tract 3

have

been

Bath Club).
separated from Tract 1 (
Tract 2 Building
= Card No.
3 Building
= Card No.

21041. 1

21147.

1 (

Plate #7539). Tract

Plate #

Permit 2
# 6856 Paint exterior wall of building
7538).
? ost. $
on CollinsA venue. Contractor.'C
350

Re-

survey

of
the 1984 Site
Survey

Fortin,

Leavy,
Skiles, Inc.,
Surveyors (180
NE

168ti1
Street,North

841629 (
Miami Beach, Florida),Job No.

284Drawing No.

1988 1988 1988 1988

1996
BATH
$
000 Permit # 32426 New
CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT Cost' 6,

roof structure

with

barrel tile to
replace

fire

damaged roof,27 squares. Contractor:

Harrison

$
Construction Cost.45,

000

Permit #
88801172 Replace kitchen and mezzanine ( fire damage).Contractor:
Harrison Construction Cost.265,
$ 000
Permit #

58881455 4,
000

tile in kitchen area.

11,
Cost. $
000
Contractor: Obenour Roofing Sheet Metal

square feet of new

Kitchen Fire

( 770
Associates Architects, Inc. 4

Repairs Johnson

Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida) Martin- Vilato

Associates, Consulting Engineers (2525 SW 3rd Avenue, #

210, Miami, Florida)New wood

railing added

at wooden stair in cafeteria ( present- day library). Openings in cafeteria

wall blocked in.New kitchen equipment and

air conditioning system.
New prefabricated wood
west

over kitchen; new roof tile. New swimming pool (at grade) and patio
improvements Stephen Groh, Architect Post- hurricane Andrew improvements. It is interesting
to note that some of the Club alterations that most significantly changed the
architectural nature of the property were direct consequences of intervening forces completely out of the Club'
truss roof

control. The addition of the front porte- cochere, the reduction in size of the Club'
of the
s front patio, and the construction of a new front wall to the south
porte- cochere were all a direct result of the widening of Collins Avenue by
of Miami Beach in 1967. The fact that the second- story cabanas were constructed along
the City

s immediate

a result
ocean side of
the Club property in 1984 was very likely
of the creation of a new beach dune in the late 1970' s
to early 1980' s,which blocked direct ocean views at grade. The costly 1988 alterations and
repairs that significantly altered many of the Club' s areas in,around, and above the
kitchen were a direct result of a severe kitchen fire in that same year.
the

The construction of
patio

the

large

to

the

directly funded by insurance

Hurricane

Andrew

in

atgrade swimming pool and

east of the Club' s original buildings was

by the Club for damage related to
Other significant architectural changes were directly related to economic forces acting

money received

1992.

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

separate its Tract 2 and Tract 3 properties from the oceanfront Tract
in the Permit
was accomplished in 1985 ( as noted
1 property; this separation
its
pr
o
bl
e
ms
and
Club'
s
financial
c
o
n
s
e
q
u
e
n
c
e
of
was
a
direct
record) and
efforts
the
to alleviate these problems. In
to sell off portions of its properties
incorporated into its Tract
anticipation of the property separation, the Club
1

property

parking ( formerly found on

new

and
Tract 3)

new

evidently so as to not lose these amenities

found on Tract 2),

the

tennis

courts ( formerly

with

sale of
over time
tracts. XI.PLANNING CONTEXT Cities evolve and change
the additional two (2)
aid
in
desi
g
nat
i
o
n
will
Hi
s
t
o
ri
c
to
an
array
of
circumstances.
site
due
the achievement of preserving the character and architectural integrity of historic buildings for future

generations, and it will help to protect historic buildings, streetscape,

and open space from inappropriate or undesirable alterations. The review and approval of projects
for historic sites under the City' s Design Guidelines and
the Historic Preservation Ordinance will ensure smart development which is sensitive to the unique aesthetic
character of the sites and respectful of their early origins. Miami Beach has
one of the finest and most progressive historic preservation ordinances in the nation.
It was custom designed to address the special needs of a rapidly redeveloping
historic seaside resort community with a view toward wise management of
historic resources
in

tandem with well

Criteria for
controlled appropriate new development. XII.PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1.
compliance
Designation: The Planning Department finds the Bath Club to be in
with the Criteria for Designation listed in Section
118-592 in the Land
Development Regulations of the
City Code. 2. Site Boundaries: At its August 18, 1999,
meeting, the Historic Preservation Board reviewed the preliminary evaluation
report and adopted the site boundary recommendations of the Planning Department

for

the proposed

Bath Club,
the
of
Section IV,General Description
1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation
September 9,

designation

of

0;
1 absence, 1

vacancy)

as

indicated

in

Boundaries.

At its
motion (7 to
to recommend approval of

Board unanimously

approved a

the
designation

of
in

accordance with

the

Bath

staff

as an historic site
reflected in this designation report. On September

Club

recommendations, as

28,1999, the Planning Board unanimously approved

motion 7 to

to
0)
recommend approval

of the designation

of the

Bath

historic site in accordance with

staff

Club as

recommendations,

an

as reflected in

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

public interior spaces, and site and

landscape features located within the proposed site boundaries of the Bath
Club. The Board further recommended that the proposed historic site consist
of contributing and noncontributing structures or features as identified in
1927 under Permit
Exhibit A. The original Bath Club, constructed in
portions
the
exception
those
No.2188, with
that were essential y
of
utilitarian in nature ( such as the locker rooms and the elevated pool structure), as
constructed
between 1927 and
well as certain additions
include all exterior

building

elevations,

on the historic site.

and features
site
the
subject
constructed on
after 1938,as well
built prior to 1938 but are more utilitarian in

ontributing" structures
1938 are the c"

All

structures

or

as any portions
nature, do

original

features
which

were

not
Bath

contribute to

historic

the special

Club and,hence,

character

of

the

are noncontributing" structures

Review Guidelines:
4.
the historic site.
The Planning Department recommends that a decision on an application for a
Certificate of Appropriateness shall be based upon compatibility of
the physical alteration or improvement with surrounding properties and where
deemed

or features

ap licable

in

on

substantial compliance with

the Interior'

The Secretary
the fol owing: a.

Standards

for

Rehabilitation

of

and Guidelines for Rehabilitating

Historic

Buildings,

as

resolution

or ordinance by

revised from time to

plans adopted or approved by
the

time;

b.
Other guidelines/ policies/

City Commission; c.

All

additional criteria as

listed under Section 118- 564 (b)

in

the Land

Development Regulations

of the

Beach Design Guidelines as

Joint

Design

City

adopted

Code;d.City

by

Review/ Historic Preservation Board on October 12,

of

Miami

the

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

XIII.

INDEX OF VISUAL DOCUMENTATION

catalogues visual documentation that accompanied the original Bath Club Historic
Designation Application ( in a booklet titled " Photographs: Historic Designation Application to
the City of Miami Beach, July
1999" as well as attached to
application) and
photographs found in Appendix A of this

This index

report.Photo
Booklet: Photo

Photo III
III 7):
(
Photo III (
8):
Photo III (9):

Aerial
10):

of site taken
Memorandum, 1998.

from east. From CB Commercial Offering

I:
Photo

photograph

II:
Photo

Aerial photograph of

III 1):
(

and porte-cochere. Taken by Veronica Caminos of Peebles Atlantic

Development Corp.,
Summer 1999. Service

Photo III (

entrance and

site taken from southwest. From CB Commercial

Offering Memorandum, 1998.Front entrance

porte- cochere. Taken

Corp.,
Summer

Atlantic Development

by

Veronica

Caminos of Peebles

1999.

along Collins Avenue. Taken by

Peebles Atlantic Development Corp., Summer

Veronica Caminos of

2):
Photo

Front wall

III 3):
(

1999.Front wall along Collins Avenue. Taken by Veronica Caminos

of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,

Photo III (

Summer

1999.

Vehicular

entrance

of Peebles
Photo
4):

III 5):
(

off Collins Avenue.

Atlantic Development

Taken

by Veronica Caminos

Corp.,

Summer 1999. Men' s locker room exterior elevation. Taken by Veronica Caminos

of

Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,Summer

1999.Women'

locker room and stairs to upper

Veronica Caminos of

pool and cabanas. Taken

by
Photo III (

Peebles

Atlantic

Development Corp., Summer 1999. Upper

Taken by Veronica
6):
Photo

Caminos of

level

saltwater pool.

Peebles

Atlantic Development Corp.,Summer 1999. Rear entry court at

restaurant entrance.

Taken

Photo
Photo III 21):
(

Photo III (

Photo
III 22):
(

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION

III 25):
(

24):
(
Photo

III

23):
(Photo

III

REPORT Restaurant

entrance

Photo
11):

and stairway to upper cabanas. Taken by Veronica Caminos

of Peebles Atlantic

III 12):
(

Development

Corp., Summer

of
Photo III (

1999.
Peebles Atlantic

Corp., Summer

1999. Card

Photo III (

Atlantic Development

library building. Taken

Atlantic Development Corp.,

Corp.,

Summer

club'

Development

ballroom.Taken

Veronica

by Veronica

main hallway. Taken

Peebles

1999. North

Veronica Caminos

Peebles Atlantic
new

III 16):
(

above library. Taken by

Development Corp., Summer

Summer 1999. Eastern entrance to

by Veronica Caminos of

Taken by
15):
Photo

Taken by Veronica Caminos

1999.East elevation of card room/

Caminos of Peebles
III 14):
(

cabanas.

Development

room

Caminos of Peebles Atlantic

Photo
13):

Upper

elevation

of

new ballroom.

of

Corp., Summer 1999. East elevation of

by

Veronica Caminos of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp., Summer

court. Taken by Veronica Caminos of Peebles

1999. Handball/

basketball

Atlantic Development

Corp.,
Photo III (

Summer

1999.AC

17):
Photo

Peebles Atlantic

Development

old telephone building east of

Veronica Caminos of

building and

dining hall. Taken by

Corp., Summer

1999. Old

of original dining hall.Taken

by

telephone

building

original

east

Veronica

III 18):
(

Caminos of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,Summer 1999. Snack bar

pavilion near main swimming pool.

Photo III (

Taken by Veronica Caminos

1999.Cabanas south

of
of

by Veronica Caminos
Cabanas
1999.
Summer

Peebles

Atlantic

Development Corp.,Summer

swimming

of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,

Photo
19):

pool. Taken

III 20):
(

south of swimming pool.Taken by Veronica Caminos of Peebles

Atlantic Development Corp.,
Summer 1999.

(
8):
Photo IV 9):

Photo III (

Photo IV
(
( Photo IV (11):
Photo IV 10):
Photo IV 12):
13):
BATH CLUB DESIGNATION

Photo
26):

REPORT
Caminos

of Peebles

parking

lot.Taken by Veronica

Atlantic

interior. Taken by Veronica

1999.
Typiccabana
al
Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,
Summer 1999. Tennis

III 27):
(

Development Corp.,Summer

Photo III (

courts

Caminos
Photo
28):

of

Cabanas east

rear fa<;
ade of

and

cabana

buildings.

Caminos

of

Taken by Veronica

of

Peebles

Atlantic Development Corp.,Summer 1999. Historic photo

1930's.From

of

western patio; circa early

IV 1):
(

Bath

of

photo collection. Current

Club

patio.Taken by Veronica

photo
Caminos of

renovated

Corp., Summer 1999. Current photo of renovated western

by Veronica Caminos of Peebles Atlantic Development

Photo IV (

Atlantic

Photo
2):

Corp.,Summer 1999. Current photo of entry hall

foyer. Taken by Veronica

IV 3):
(

Caminos

Development

of Peebles Atlantic

patio. Taken

club

from

steps

1999. Historic photo

club foyer; circa

Development Corp., Summer

main entry door and

western

Peebles

of

Photo IV (

Club photo collection. Current photo of entry door

and club foyer. Taken

Photo
4):

Veronica Caminos of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp., Summer 1999.

of entry door.Taken

IV 5):
(

by

Veronica

Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,Summer 1999.Historic

photo of door at eastern end

Photo IV (

of

entry hall; circa

1928. From Bath

by

Current

photo

Caminos of

of eastern entry

photo
of Peebles

1928. From Bath

hall

photo collection. Current

Atlantic

6):
Photo

Development Corp.,Summer 1999. Current photo of

gallery in front of original

IV 7):
(

eastern

door. Taken

Club

door.Taken by Veronica Caminos

by Veronica

Caminos

ballroom

of

addition and added

Peebles

Atlantic Development Corp.,

Summer 1999.
Photo IV (

Current

photo

of Peebles

of added library

Atlantic Development

gallery.

Taken

Corp.,

by Veronica Caminos

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

s Lounge. Taken
of Peebles Atlantic Development Corp.,

Photo IV (

14):
Current photo ofGovernor'

Summer 1999.

Photo

dining

Development Corp.,

Caminos of

Bath Club written by

1999. Photo IV
of the
of

along

Current photo
IV 17):
(
library. Taken by Veronica

Peebles

Atlantic

Inc.in September 1998.Photo

photos

20):
Summer 1999. Photos IV (18Corp.,
of swimming pool, beach front,

From Bath Club

early 1930' s.
21(
23):
Historic photos

and boardwalk; circa early

collection. Photos

cabanas

photo

26):Historic photos
(
241930' s.

IV

wooden

of

1930'

Bath Club photo collection. Other photo

attachments to Bath Club

Historic

Designation

Application ( July 1999): Photo: Aerial

Historical Museum of
of the Bath Club

after

Hoit Photography in October,

From

photo

Bath

Club photo collection.

s.

cabanas; circa

From

photo

of corridor

Development

circa

IV
of wooden

of ballroom interior. Taken

Alan F.

Current photo
16):
(

from Appraisal report

Historic
and boardwalk;

Performance/ dance hall ( original

of Peebles Atlantic

photo of

hall).
Taken by Veronica Caminos

Summer
Friedman

Friedman &Company,

IV 15):
( Current

by Veronica Caminos

photo for

Photos

Bath Club

early

and drawing

Harrison Construction.

Florida, Matlack Collection.

the 1950

From

collection.

Circa

1930.

Photo: Aerial

hurricane.

Taken

by

1950.

Drawing:

Survey

of

Bath Club ( re-

survey

of

1951

survey).Performed by Zurwelle Whittaker, Inc.

in

April 1963. Drawing: Survey

of
Bath

Club. Performed by Fortin,

Leavy

Drawing:Parcel map for

Skiles, Inc.

the

in

November

1984.

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

Photos and

Photo

drawings

in

Appendix A of Final Designation Report:

1:North

elevation

of original

dining

hall

and

s lounge (before the ballroom

1930' s.
From Bath Club

ofGovernor'

photo

ade
eastefa<.;
rn

addition); circa

Photo 2: Aerial photo of Club taken

Public
Beach
of Miami
February 12,1927. City
Museum
Historical
in
Also
Book,
Photo
90A.
Aerial

collection.

early

from east;
Works, 1927

of

South

B19.

Florida: Miami Beach Aerials, #77-153- 90A. Photo

from above; May 22,
of Club taken
Miami Beach Public Works, 1929 Aerial Book,
Historical Museum of South Florida: Miami
Aerial photo
Aerials, 77# 153-B19. Photo 4:

Also

in

3:Aerial

photo

1929. City of
Photo

Beach
of

Club
taken

16,1935. Historical Museum of

Florida: Miami Beach Aerials, AT 1577 166. Hoit

from

east; December

South
Photography.

Photo
5:

Aerial

photo of

16,1935.
Club taken from west; December
of South Florida: Miami Beach Aerials, AT

Historical Museum
1578 166. Hoit Photography. Photo

Aerial
6:

County Public
from Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report
Works. Taken
by Allied Environmental; report prepared June 1998.
taken from directly above;

1963. Dade

photo

of

Photo

above; 1990.
7:
Aerial photo of Club taken from directly
Dade County Public Works. Taken from Phase I Environmental Site

Club

Assessment Report

by Allied Environmental; report

prepared June

1998.

Photo

Aerial photo of Club taken from directly above; 1998.

8:
and Dade County Public Works.Taken
Miami Beach

from

Phase

I Environmental Site Asses ment Report by Allied Environmental; report

Map showing
2:Sanborn Fire insurance
prepared June 1998. Drawing 1the Bath Club Property; map

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

XV.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Author not noted. " Bath Club Formed in Miami Beach", The Miami Herald. April
1927.Pg. 8.Author not noted.Bath
" Club Opening

7,
1927. Author

Miami Herald. December

Night",

Set

8,

The
for January 1st",

not noted. " Bath Club Opening Saturday

The

Harrison Re-elected President

Miami Herald. January 6, 1928. Pg.lO. Author not noted. "M.
R.
of Miami Chapter of the Association of General
Contractors
of
W.Jr.
Chase, C.
of America",The Miami Herald. January 7, 1928.Pg.8.
Fisher Properties.Letter to
G.
Carl

Miami Beach Property

Bath
Ed.A
"

Owners. September 14,1927. Historical Museum of

Club Manager). Barnhill, Lester R.,

History

of the Bath

Hoyt (

as

told

to

Club".

South

Rorida.

(
Cibula, Frank G.former

Miami Beach, Florida: Privately published, 1977.

Frazure,

Nixon Smiley).Memories of Old Miami.

Miami, Florida:

9Privately published, no date. Pg.

Miami Dade Public

Library, Roridian

Collection. Kleinberg,

28.

Howard. Miami Beach.Miami,

Florida:

101, 117-118. Parks, Arva Moore. Miami:The

Centennial Press, 1994. Pg. 8990,
Magic

Citv.

Miami, Florida: Centennial Press, 1991.

Pg.

134-143.Sessa, Frank Bowman. Real Estate Expansion and Boom in Miami and Its
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh, 1950. p.
Environs During the 1920' s.

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

EXHIBIT A

MAP OF CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES AND FEATURES

ON THE HISTORIC SITE

See Attachment)

I
I

0f/E-

ST0llYCA8AHAS ANClUAAYORIGINAl

CONSTR. -

1M4 AL

TERA

TlOHS 1996C
-

TENNIS

COURTS ANcu.

v.
OAA;
RY
lNALCOHSTR. -

194-

E.$
4Of/
')
TORYCA8AHAS ..

I~
4

COHSTR.-

PllOSHOl'

ATi'(.'
l1;' :':"';"':"'~'
GIWlE

I94-

SWlWMING POOLS

IALTERA

TlOHS -

19 6

I
ANCUARY0RlGlMAL
CONSTR.1996
-

ANCllJ.

COHSTll-lm
ARY

0fllGlNAL CONSTR. -

ROOMS IITUT
AAlAH,AHCll.I.

1M4

w'TERATlOHS -

1m.
'
T2.
tlOHE ""
73TElD'
0 N;

AAY DRIGIIW..
1'~
'OCNIHG
55,

0RlGlIW..COHSTR. 5/,
" FORMER
19967f-"J(
LOCKER ~ IIlUlL
TAS
ANClU... AAY

COflSTR. -

HALl.ItSTOlIlC

PII8UC ~

0IlIGlIW..COHSTR. - 1mAL

TERA 1lONS 19J1,S4,

'
'
55,

'

SJ,71CARll

ROOII/

IlAU. RO M 1iISTORlC

PUBUC ~ vOAlGlNALCOHSTR. - lt63AL

71CcNi~ ~\.
TERA 1lONS - 1'
G.ST~,
C\
I"'

MC.

BATHCLUB CONSTRUCTION
TM:omce
AND ALTERATION DATES
0fllGINAL COflSTR.1tJO
1m

iU E:.
~
S

ALTERlOHSGOVERHOP"

LOUNGE ~
S
QRk;r~
HJ:.,
JC AAEA
STR. ORIGINAL COf<

NoN CO
- Nif..\&
lX\

19::

1I

lNer STl-

lt cT\;
i

THE

ALTERAOOHS-

1963 I
~

BATH CLUB DESIGNATION REPORT

APPENDIX A:

SUPPLEMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS

Photo

ade
dining hall and eastern fa~
addition);
circa
of Governor' s lounge (before the ballroom
Club
From Bath
1930' s.

North elevation
1:

of original

early

Photo

Miami
FebrualY 12, 1927. City of
frolll east;
2:
Aerial photo of Club taken
of
1useulll
t'
Book,Photo 90A.Also 111 Hlstoncal
1927 Aerial
PubliC Works,

Beach
South

i.
w.;.~
1i.~

CJ";"""
1!'

t~

'-~

i,

0.

I.~.~

g.

1::.' 1;(

k.
J ~..\~ :~

J....'
I
id ~

ic:

I
tJ .,.. ":"

r' ~~. .
r t,:.
:::' {.
F'

1;~

Aenal photo of Club

"':')'
.
b'4
.
f..
. ... . .\.'
Photo 3:
''"
:,<<.
~04,:"
...
V":.:
1tl
Book,
22,1929. Oty of Miami Beach Public Works, 1929 Aenal
above; May

taken from

Photo

from east;
4:
Aerial photo of Oub taken
Beach Aerials,
Rorida: Miami

1935. Historical Museum of South

December 16,

Photo

west;
5:
Aenal photo of Club taken from
Beach Aerials,
Flonda: Miami

1935. Hlstoncal Museum of South

December 16,

Photo

Taken from
above; 1963.Dade County Public Works.
taken from directly
6:
Aerial photo of Club
report
Report by Allied Environmental;
Phase I Environmental Site Asses ment

II....

I..

J~

I
I'

II!t
j

I"~
I

lI

1\'
I . ...

r .

t. _ . ,.:~

1!

from directly above; 1990, Dade County Public Works.

___
Taken from Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report by Allied

l"""~
Photo 7:Aerial photo of Club taken

1
1

Ij

1. *

j'.~

t~~::

of Oub taken from directly above; 1998. Miami

8:
Aerial photo
t i Photo~;
t,~
r,
Works.
Taken from Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Beach and Dade County Public

I' -~

I
I

I
I

I
i
I

I'

t'

I,

Drawing

Sanborn Fire
1:

Dade

insurance Map showing the Bath Oub

Public library,

Property; map corrected

to 1947. Miami

I~

I.

j"

1;\ ,: ,
I>:'::!.

I
r

I'

I'

showing the Bath Club Property; map

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
Drawing 2:
Public
Dade
Miami

corrected to 1947,

THE BATH CLUB

5937 Collins
Avenue Miami Beach,

Florida
PHOTOGRAPHS HISTORIC
DESIGNATION APPLICATION TO
THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH

III. CURRENT PHOTOS OF

EXISTING STRUCTURES

0 ..<
G

c
L; ;::

cJ
P- ;
I

c;

co
8--

c; "

P -

14 East elcyation of cald IOOllt/ libraiY

aslclll
building. 15.

entrance
[

to

club'

NOl1h
lY (
loggia). 16.

elevation

smain

of

hallw(

17. Easte1c"

IS.

Ill.IH.

l1" ",,,
n .~.
(~",,;
Ll;

alloll

ballroom
oflle\\'

1balllbaskethcl1!

court

ll' nhnm> h\li1dilW e; 1st nfold dillim.:.

n!,~t~-'

23.
Cabanas south of

sIVinl l ing

pool. 24.
Mnill

swimming pool. 15

north
Cnhnllas

26

Caf"

lIlc,

east

lot.27.

Il1leriol. 28.Tennis

COllrts and

rc.

ofpalkil g

Typicalcaball"

fCl~a(
k

OfC;

IV. HISTORIC AND CURRENT

PHOTOS OF BATH CL.UB
BUILDINGS

IIISTORIC PIIOTO OF WESTERN

1.
stl11eture outside of fOllller
arched gallery outside the Govcl or' s Lounge, pergola
CURRENT
bIdingto
entry hall. 2.
side),and square opening (with central colu11ln)

PATIO: Shows

ballro011l (

right

PHOTO OF RENOVATED WESTERN PATIO:Shows

brick paving
and plantings, new pergola ( rear left of photo),and

new

open

pergola.

roofing

of

prevIOusly

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TED WESTERN I'..\
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PHOTOS

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IIISTORIC

THE BATH CLUB

5937 COLUNS

AVENUE) LETTERS OF

I.

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

1Ourism is EL' l!rybo,ly S Busi' l1!SS"

City of Miami Beach

City Commission
1700 Convention Center

33139

Drive Miami Beach,

Florida
August 9/
1/ 99 J",

To

Whom

Miami

It

May

Concern: I am writing to support the City of

Beach Planning Department recommendation

the

Historic Preservation Board to

The Bath Club, located

into a local historic site.

designed by

to

Robert A.Taylor

at

designate

the Bath Club

5937 Collins

Avenue

and

was established in 1927 as an exclusive social

institution. It is built in

Mediter anean

Revival Style of architecture, which

the typical architectural style during the 1920s.Visiting the Bath Club provides an excellent
to feel"
"how life was in the times of Carl G.
Fisher and Fred A.
the

was

opportunity

Poor first
( president of the Bath

Club).Therefor the Bath Club does not only

represent the architectural history of Miami Beach, but also its cultural history. The Bath
of an exclusive social institution established in 1927 for
Club is representative
the elite. Today, while seeing Miami Beach packed with huge hotels, it is difficult to imagine
how life was in those former days. Preservation of the Bath Club would serve to help our
visitors and residents to learn more about our heritage and appreciation
of the Mediter anean
style of architecture, which was fashionable in the 19205
during

the City's

first major land development

to be designated as a

local historic

period.I

enthusiasticaly

support the Bath Club

site, whichwill further enhance

as an International ar(;

hitectural

andcultural

mecca

for

tourists

and locals alike.Sinc.

erj7J_
George
___ T.

Neary Director

of

Cultural

Tourism

701

Brickell

Miami

Beach

c. Dalia Meana
5880 Collins
Avenue Miami Beach ,

Florida

33

140 August 16,1999 City of

Miami Beach Historic

Preservation Board

o The
c/
Planning Department

1700 Convention Center Drive 2nd

floor
City

Florida 33139 Gentlemen:I am co-owner

Hall, MiamiBeach.

Building at 5880

of

Collins Avenue. I wish to register my opinion

condominium in La Rive
in favor

of

Gauche

designating

the
Beach Club at

had

5937 Collins Avenue an historic

site. As the past president of the aforementioned building I

occasion to visit the Bath Club

and to

appreciate

the

Miami

its direct link to Miami Beach. Before I was priviledged to live in our fair city
name
conjured up images of the life style I now enjoy.Please don' t allow
the avaricious developers to further despoil our fair city. We have enough high rise buildings and hotels.Let'
Beach

s enjoy what

we have

and

not
destroy what

has been left

to

us.Sincerely, I$~~~~
P.
S.My husband wishes to also sign

this
let er

to

indicate

his
af irmation
of

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

NOTICE OF ZONING MAP CHANGE
DESIGNA TION OF HISTORIC SITE

The

City

of Miami Beach proposes to

adopt

the

following Ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI

BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING

SUBPART

REGULA TIONS OF THE CITY CODE;

ENTITLED

ADMINISTRATION

AND

OF

THE

DEVELOPMENT

LAND

118,

AMENDING CHAPTER

PROCEDURES"; AMENDING ARTICLE

REVIEW

X,
ENTITLED "HISTORIC

4,
ENTITLED

DIVISION

PRESERVATION"; AMENDING

SECTION

AMENDING

DESIGNATION";

PRESERVATION

118593,ENTITLED H
" ISTORIC

DESIGNATION";

593( E),
AMENDING SUBSECTION 118ENTITLED DELINEATION ON ZONING MAP"

DESIGNATING THE

BY

BATH CLUB, LOCATED AT

5937 COLLINS AVENUE,

HISTORIC SITE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING THAT

AS AN

THE CITY' S ZONING MAP SHALL BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE BATH

CLUB AS AN HISTORIC SITE; ADOPTING

THE

DESIGNATION REPORT

ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX " A";

PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE
LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY

CODE, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE

a second reading public
the City

soon

Commission on WEDNESDAY.

thereafter

hearing

on

the

NOVEMBER

17.

Ordinance

will

PUBLIC

NOTICE IS HEREBY

be held

GIVEN

that
by

or as
M..
1999. at 5:32 P.

as possible, in the City Commission

Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 1700 Convention Center

for designation is shown on

at this Meeting

DATE.

or

the

Map within

Be Represented by

Writing Addressed to the

Drive,

Miami

Beach, Florida. The historic site proposed

this Zoning Map Change.All Persons Are

an Agent,or to Express Their Views

to

Appear

in

Clerk, 1700 Convention Center Drive,

Copy of this Ordinance,
and All Documents Related Thereto, Are Available for Public Inspection During Normal Business Hours in
the City Clerk' s Office. Inquiries May Be Directed to the Planning Department at 305)
(
673-7550. The above item may be continued at this meeting and, under
such
circumstances, additional legal notice would not be provided. Any person may contact the City

City

Commission c/
o the

Invited

City

First Floor,City Hall, Miami Beach,Florida 33139. A

Clerk at (305)

673- 7411 for

information as to the status

of this item as a
result of the meeting. Pursuant to Section 286. 0105,Fla.Stat.,
the City hereby advises the public
that:if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to
any matter considered at

its meeting or its hearing, such person must insure that a verbatim record
of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the City for
the introduction or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant

it authorize

or appeals

challenges
not
with
1990, Persons
in this Proceeding Should Contact the
Disabilities Act of

Later than

otherwise allowed by

evidence,

nor does

law.In Accordance with the Americans

Needing Special Ac ommodation

City

Clerk

to Participate
No

BEACH

MIAMI

OF

CITY
CITY HALL

1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH,

ci
FLORIDA 33139 http.\\

miami-

beach

FROM:SUBJECT:COMMISSION
fl

Mayor Neisen
B38 -t,
'
Kasdin and Members

of

us

DATE: November
17,1999

TO:

Sergio Rodriguez

MEMORANDUM NO. .
C mmission

O.

the City

City

Manager

Historic P servation

of the Mayor and

City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, Amending Subpart B
City
of the Land Development Regulations of the
Code;Amending Chapter 118, Entitled Administration and Review
Procedures"; Amending
Article X, Entitled Historic
Amending
Division 4,
Entitled Designation";
"
Preservation";
118593, Entitled Historic
" Preservation Designation"; Amending
Amending Section
593(
118e),
Entitled
"
Del
i
n
eat
i
o
n
on
Zoning
Map" by Designating
Subsection
the Bath Club,Located at 5937 Collins Avenue, as an Historic Site,
as More Particularly Described Herein; Providing That the City' s Zoning Map Shall Be
Amended to Include the Bath Club as an
Historic Site;
Adopting the Designation Report Attached Hereto as Appendix " A";
Providing for
Land
in
the
Development
Inclusion
Designation - The

Bath Club Second Reading - An Ordinance

Regulations of
the City Code,Repealer, Severability,

Administration

recommends that

the City

and an

Commission, upon

Effective Date.ADMINISTRATION

second reading

public

RECOMMENDATION The
hearing, adopt the

attached Designation Report

and the

proposed amending Ordinance creating the

hearing

is

and

an

adopt

Bath Club Historic Site. ANAL YSIS The purpose of today' s public
to consider the attached Designation Report
amending ordinance

the Bath Club

Historic

Site.
In
a subsidiary of Peebles Atlantic
Development Corporation, entered into a
Inc.,
contract to purchase the Bath Club property at 5937 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. For
the purpose of developing a mixed- use resort hotel/condominium project on the site,5937
Collins, Inc., submitted an application to the Planning
Department of
Miami Beach in March of 1999 for
a rezoning of the
property from RM - 1 to RM 2 and a Zoning
August of

1998,

creating

5937 Collins,

Code text

creating

change

Commission Memorandum
November
1999
17,

Historic

Preservation Designation - The

Bath
Club Page

At its June 22,1999,meeting, the Miami Beach Planning Board

subj ect property
to recommend
rezoning the
and approved a motion ( 5 to 2)
request
reviewed the
change with
Zoning Code text
and the creation of a
from RM - 1 to RM 2
a
maximum height of 140 feet for RM- 2 oceanfront properties over 100,000 square feet
in size. As part of their motion to recommend approval to the City Commission,
the Board recommended that the applicant commit to saving original portions of
2 ANALYSIS ( Continued)

designate the property as a historic

" site".
and apply to
met with
Since the June 22,1999,Planning Board meeting, 5937 Collins,Inc.,
be processed concurrently
City staff officials who requested that the historic designation application
with the property rezoning. The historic site designation report and application, prepared by 5937 Collins,Inc.
for the property owner,the Bath Club,Inc.,

the property structures

response to both the Planning Board recommendation and the

request of City Planning Staff.On July 13,1999, the City of Miami
Beach Planning Department requested the Historic Preservation Board to consider directing staff to prepare a
preliminary evaluation report with recommendations regarding the possible designation of the Bath Club as a local
historic site.This request was believed appropriate by staff due to the architectural design of
Taylor; and the historical
the building and its period of construction; the reputation of its architect, Robert A.
nature of the site as a private bathing club in the early development of Miami
Beach. At the same meeting, the Board reviewed said request and unanimously approved
a motion to direct staff to work in cooperation with the applicant to prepare
were

submitted

in

report with recommendations regarding the possible designation of

evaluation
historic site. At its August 18, 1999,
the Bath Club as a local
meeting, the Historic Preservation Board reviewed the preliminary evaluation report with recommendations prepared by 5937
a preliminary

Department regarding the designation of the Bath Club

historic site. The Board found the proposed historic site to
as
an
593 in the
591 through 118with the criteria ' for designation listed in Sections 118be in compliance
to I)
(
to direct
Land Development Regulations of the City Code and approved a motion 6
Collins, Inc.,and the staff of the Planning

staff to work

the applicant to prepare a designation report and

hearing in a timely manner relative to the designation of the Bath Club. At
unanimously approved a
1999, meeting, the Historic Preservation Board
its September 9,
motion to recommend approval of the designation of the Bath Club as
report. The
an historic site in accordance with staff recommendations, as reflected in this designation
Board
further recommended that the proposed historic site consist of contributing and noncontributing structures or
in cooperation

with

schedule a public

features as identified in Exhibit A.

The original

Bath

Club, constructed in 1927 under Permit

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Preservation Designation - The

Historic

Bath
Club Page 3

ANAL

YSIS (Continued)

1927

All structures
historic site.

any

portions

which were

or

and 1938 are

features constructed

on

the

subject

built prior to 1938 but are

the "contributing"

structures and

features on

the

site after 1938,as well as

utilitarian in nature,do not

more

"ributing"
character
ofthe original Bath Club and, hence, are noncont
contribute
September
its
Subsequently,
historic
at
site.
the
structures or features on
28,
to recommend approval of
1999 meeting, the Planning Board unanimously voted
meeting,
1999
the designation. At its October 20,
the
to the special historic

Commission voted
60 to

historic site designation at first reading. Designation Process The designation report
for a proposed historic site is required to be presented to the Historic Preservation
Board and the Planning Board at public hearings. Following public input, the Historic Preservation Board votes
on whether or not the proposed historic site meets the criteria listed in the
Land Development Regulations of the City Code and transmits a recommendation on historic
designation to the Planning Board and City Commission. lfthe Historic Preservation Board votes against the
designation, no further action is required. If the Historic Preservation Board votes in favor
of designation, the Planning Board reviews the designation report and formulates its
own recommendation. The recommendations of both Boards, along with the designation report,are presented
an
to the City Commission. Because in this instance the proposed ordinance has been requested by
contiguous
10)
area
ofless
applicant other than the City,and involves
an
than ten (
Upon
readings on the designation.
acres, the City Commission must hold two (2)
approve

the

conclusion of the second

ordinance with a 5/
592
In accordance with Section 1187 vote. Relation to Ordinance Criteria 1.

hearing, the City Commission

can adopt the

in the Land Development Regulations of

the

City Code,eligibility for designation is determined

on the basis of

compliance with the listed criteria set forth below. a)

The Historic Preservation Board shall have the
authority to recommend that properties be designated as historic buildings, historic structures,
historic improvements, historic landscape features, historic interiors (architectural y significant
public portions only), historic sites or historic districts if they are significant
in the historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or archeological heritage
the county, state or nation. Such properties shall possess an
of the city,
integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
and

meet

at least

one (I)
of

the

following

feeling or association

criteria:

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Historic

Preservation Designation - The

Bath
Club Page 4
Association with
ANAL YSIS (Continued) 2)

the

lives

of

persons significant

in our past history; 3) Embody the distinctive

characteristics of an historical period, architectural or design
style

or method of

construction; 4)Possess
a master, serve as

high

values;

artistic

an

Represent
5)

the

work

outstanding or representative work

builder who contributed

of

of

a master designer, architect or

to

our
likely to

historical, aesthetic

Have
or architectural heritage; 6)

yielded, or

are

yield information important in prehistory or history;7)

the National Register of Historic Places; 8)

Consist of a geographically definable area that possesses a
significant concentration of sites, buildings or structures united by historically
Be listed in

significant past events or aesthetically by

physical development, whose components may lack individual distinction.

A building, structure (including the public portions of the interior), improvement
feature may be designated historic even if it has been
ifthe alteration is reversible
plan

or

and the most signif cant

or landscape
altered

The Bath Club is

are intact and repairable. 2.
designation as it complies with the criteria as specified in

architectural

eligible for

b)

elements

Section

118-

592 in the Land Development

City Code
at 5937

Regulations of the

above. a)The Bath

is eligible

Club, located

for historic designation and in conformance

for

the

fol owing reasons:

1)Association with

made a

the County. state

with

events

Constructed

Collins Avenue,

the designation criteria

that

have

significant contribution to the history of

or nation:

outlined

the

city.

in 1927, the Bath

Club became Miami Beach' s earliest private bathing club. Its formation, as
detailed in the Historical Background section to follow, is directly
both
related to the rapid rate of population growth,

Commission Memorandum
November
1999
17,

Historic

Preservation Designation - The

Bath
Club Page 5

of the Club itself, as detailed

in the Historical Background section below, closely paral els other
events in the history ofthe City of Miami Beach,both being affected
by the same natural and social forces. Specifically, some of
the social forces that can be tracked through the history of the
Bath Club include:1)
the practice of ethnic segregation, commonly seen
(
and of the
early
history of Miami Beach
the
in both
the prevalence and importance of the military population in
Club,2)
(
Club during World War
the
City
of
Miami
the
Beach and at
11,and 3)
( the later wave of ethnic
increased integration of Cuban, Central
the
and
desegregation
American, and South American populations into Miami Beach and finally into the Club.
'.' history also tracks the many storms
The Club I
ANAL

YSIS (Continued)

The history

that have impacted the South Florida

area.2)Association with the

in our past history: The Bath Club'

s original member roster included many of the prominent men
of business and industry who relocated to Miami Beach, building many
of its earliest grand homes,and/or frequented the island in
the popular winter season.Among these members were Harvey S.Firestone,
of the Firestone Tire Company, who also built a grand estate at
the current site of the Fontainebleau Hotel; Alfred Barton,
son of Philadelphia socialites J.
Hunter and Caroline Barton,
lives of persons

who

signif cant

later became president of

Embody the distinctive

3)

characteristics

of

the

Surf

Club.

an historical period.

style or method of construction: The Bath

Club's original structures are clear examples of
the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture, a picturesque style originated
and popularized in South Florida during
architectural or desi

gn

the period of 1915- 1940. Like

examples of Mediter anean

Revival architecture in South Florida, the Club' s original buildings, in particular
the Club's entry areas, the Governor' s lounge,and
the original dining hall, show a composite
of

various

eclectic

blending

Spanish

Renaissance, Moorish,Tuscan, Venetian, Gothic, as

Old

most

World

architectural

styles including

well as classical Greek elements.

tiles stem from

roofs
Spanish and Tuscan building traditions. The broad arches seen on the
western side of the buildings and at the loggia outside

The pitched

of

red clay roof

Commission Memorandum
November
1999
17,

Preservation Designation - The

Historic

Bath
Club Page 6

is an element dating back to

early Greek architectural traditions. The pointed arches of the Governor' s lounge
and at each end of the entry hall are related to both
Venetian architectural traditions. The hand-hewn
Gothic and
heavy wooden ceiling beams and the heavy wooden doors seen
throughout the original structures are reminiscent of medieval
Spanish architecture. The smooth, unjluted columns at the loggia
surrounding the western enclosed courtyard as well as the double

ANAL

YSIS (

Continued)

itself

columns supporting arches next

to the

ballroom

entry

doors

are variations

on the Tuscan Order; the double column arch support is

also an architectural detail very typical in Moorish architecture.

The
ancient

loggia-lined

Greek

and

enclosed

courtyard is a
Roman

as

tradition,

concept dating

back to

as being

well

prominent element in traditional

Andalusian

Moorish architecture. 4)

Possess high artistic

values:

The Bath Club' s many

eclectic

elements discussed above are products of the important tradition of

craftsmanship that grew out of the Mediter anean Revival
architectural movement in South Florida.These elements include handcrafted
tile

work,hand- hewn

wooden ceiling beams,

hand- carved

wooden

doors (

seen at the western end of the entry hallway),and even

hand- painted ceiling seen on

as
the

the later ballroom addition.

5)

Represent

serve

as an outstanding or

designer.architect

or

the

work

of

representative work

builder who

contributed

a
of

to

master,

a master

our

heritage:The Bath Club was designed

by successful local
architect, Robert A Taylor,in 1927. Taylor was the
B.
Rooney, an
T.
principal architect for N.
early Miami Beach developer. Notable architectural works
amongTaylor' s
Espanola
Way
s
Spanish
Village
career
on
outstanding
include Rooney'
in
1925 and the George Browne residence at 1700 James
historical. aesthetic or

Avenue ( Browne

Have

architectural

was

Rooney'

yielded, or are

sales

manager)

in

1925. 6)

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Preservation Designation - The

Historic

Bath
Club Page 7
ANAL YSIS ( Continued)

The Bath

Club,

though unlikely to

serves as a valuable
yield important information
important
historical
marker for
events that have afjixted the development
regarding pre- history,

people of the City of Miami

aJ above for a discussion
and

Beach. Please

to section

refer

1 (

of these historical events. 7)

Be listed in the

National
listed

individually

Register of Historic Places: Currently, the

as an historic site

nor

Bath Club is

neither

is it located within an

historic districtin the National Register of Historic Places, although

it appears to have substantial potential to be determined to be
eligible
for individual

historic

site

designation.

8)
Consist

of

significant concentration

of
possesses
geographically
past
structures
united
hi
s
t
o
r
i
c
al
l
y
si
g
ni
f
i
c
ant
by
sites.buildings or
physical
or
events or aesthetically by plan
definable area that

development.

whose components may lack

individual

distinction:

This

criterion is not

applicable
to

A building, structure ( including

individual historic site designation. b)
i
n
teri
o
r),
public
of
portions
the
improvement, or landscape feature may be
the
designated historic, even if it has been altered, if the alteration
is reversible and the most significant
an

architectural

elements are intact

and

repairable. Although the

Bath

Club'

buildings have undergone numerous alterations over the years,many of the Club' s
maintain a high degree of their original architectural integrity.
These structures include the Club's entry lobby, entrance hall,
s

structures still

Governors
refer
the

lounge,

to

Architectural

history

original

dining

Background section for

of

Club' s

original restrooms.Please

details on

additions and alterations. Other

been significantly altered, but could

include the

hall, and

be

areas
restored

main

of the Club have

to their original

entry

states.

These areas

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Historic

Preservation Designation - The

Bath
Club Page 8

ANAL
the

YSIS (Continued)

Amending
the City Code or

Ordinance

Analysis

In reviewing
a

change

of

in

request for an amendment

to the

Land Development

Regulations of

the City Commission shall

land use,

Whether the proposed change is consistent and

following:1.
the Comprehensive Plan and any applicable

consider the
compatible with

Redevelopment Plans;Consistent - The proposed designation is

consistent with the Comprehensive Plan,specifically with the Historic
Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan' s Objective No. I
which,in part,states:increase the total number of
or

neighborhood

of
structures designated as historically significant from that number
structures designated in 1988, either individually or as a contributing
structure within a

National

Register

Historic Preservation District

or
a local
an

isolated

Whether the proposed change would create

"
Historic Preservation District.2.

district
to adjacent or nearby

unrelated

change

for any
scale

with

the

underlying zoning

areas within the

districts;Consistent - The amendment would not

district

City. 3.Whether the change suggested is out

of

the

the neighborhood or the City; Consistent- The designation of the property

as a historic site would help to encourage
redevelopment and rehabilitation that is compatible with the
scale, characteristics and needs ofthe surrounding neighborhood and help to

needs

of

preserve

the architectural

character of the

built environment.

Whether
4.

the

proposed

change would

tax
existing load on public

the

the

area

facilities

and

public

infrastructure; Consistent - The LOS for

facilities and infrastructure

should

not

be negatively

affected,

if

at

district

boundaries

all,
by

proposed
are illogically drawn in relation
the

Whether existing
amending ordinance. 5.

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Preservation Designation - The

Historic

Bath
Club Page
at 5937
is located
ANALYSIS ( Continued) Consistent - The Bath Club
boundaries
proposed
the
of
description
Avenue;
a
detailed
Collins

is
the

attached

designation

delineated within

Whether changed
report.6.

or changing conditions

make the

passage

of historic preservation
in the ongoing revitalization of southern Miami Beach supports
Past demolition of historic
the protection ofthe proposed site.
structures demonstrates the necessity of this amendment to maintain the
the

of

proposed

change necessary; Consistent -The success

Whether
area. 7.

architectural integrity

of the
adversely

change will

conditions in the neighborhood; Consistent -The proposed change

of Life
should not negatively effect living conditions or the Quality
for the surrounding properties. Indeed, the quality of living
conditions in designated historic areas has significantly improved
since the City started designating historic districts. The
thousands of Design Review approvals ( both substantial
rehabilitation and minor improvements) within the
living

influence

existing historic

the proposed

districts demonstrate this

create or excessively increase

will
forth in the
Comprehensive

traffic

principle. 8.Whether the proposed

congestion beyond the Level

Of

Service

change

as

set

levels of service set

Plan will not be affected by

Plan or otherwise affect public safety; Consistent - The

forth in

the Comprehensive

designation.
Likewise, public

safety will

not

be affected. 9.Whether

the proposed

change

will
seriously

reduce light and

air

to adjacent

properties; Consistent - There should

be

no

reduction

in

light and
air either

on site or to adjacent properties. 10.Whether the proposed

change

will

adversely

affect property values in the adjacent area; Consistent -

As property values

and value of construction

have historically increased

Commission Memorandum

November
1999
17,

Preservation Designation - The

Historic

Bath
Club Page 10
ANAL

YSIS ( Continued) is

no evidence to suggest that designation

in the area surrounding

the contrary, the designation of the site should
help to reinforce and promote continuous quality enhancement

would adversely affect property

values

the proposed designation. To

of
the surrounding

neighborhood. 11.Whether

to the improvement or

the

proposed

change will be

development of

a
adjacent property in

deterrent

existing regulations; Consistent - The proposed amendment will

not change the development regulations for adjacent sites which must comply
site specific development
with their own
regulations. Furthermore, the proposed ordinance should not affect the ability for an
adjacent property to be developed in
with

accordance

accordance with

said

property cannot

Whether

12.

there are substantial reasons why

the

be used

accordance

III

regulations.

with

existing

not affected since

zoning; Consistent -

the

proposed

The

permitted land uses

amendment does

are

not change the

underlying

any property. 13.Whether it

City for the proposed Use in

zoning district for

in the

is impossible to

already permitting such Use; Not

district

find

other adequate

Applicable - This

Sites

review

criteria

is not

applicable

to this

is appropriate to

the Bath Club Historic Site

historical importance of the site.The

Zoning Ordinance amendment. The proposed designation of

protect

the aesthetic, architectural

and

the revitalization of southern Miami

positive
Beach, as well as the worldwide media recognition of Miami Beach, is well known.Local residents,
as well as visitors from around the world, are seeking the very special urban character of Miami

social and

economic

impact that preservation has had on

Beach that the

City
that

to

preserve
the City
seeks

Report
Itx
L (Jtt

andthe

and promote.Based on the foregoing, the Administration has

Commission should

adopt the

subject amending ordinance.

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Designation

concluded