Ocean Drive

Welcome, observant travelers and architecture enthusiasts, to the glamorous, sun-drenched thoroughfare known across the globe simply as Ocean Drive. Located in the beating heart of the Art Deco Historic District in South Beach,…

We begin our detailed exploration on the eastern edge of the avenue, standing within the lush, palm-lined borders of Lummus Park. This vital strip of coastal green space stretches extensively from Fifth Street all the way up to…

Crossing over to the western side of the thoroughfare near Seventh Street, our gaze is immediately drawn to a brilliant cluster of historical structures, anchored by one of the most recognizable symbols of South Beach: the Colony…

Moving steadily northward, we arrive at the bustling intersection of Tenth Street, which serves as a massive focal point for both architectural innovation and legendary South Beach nightlife. Here, the Breakwater Hotel commands…

Just a block further north, near the corner of Eleventh Street, the architectural rhythm of streamlined Art Deco is suddenly and dramatically interrupted by an opulent display of Mediterranean Revival. This is the Villa Casa…

As we reach Fourteenth Street, we take a brief, highly rewarding detour just a couple of blocks inland to explore the enchanting corridor known as Espanola Way. Pronounced es-pan-yo-la, this strictly pedestrian village offers a…

Our final architectural exploration takes us just a few blocks further north to the iconic Lincoln Road shopping district. Situated squarely between Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets, this massive, mile-long pedestrian…

As our extensive, illuminating tour of Ocean Drive and its immediate architectural neighbors comes to a close, it is deeply important to reflect on the miraculous preservation of this incredibly unique coastal landscape. In the…