The “Mini Italy” of Miami is Celebrating 100 Years on February 23, 2025 – You’re Invited

Coral Gables, aka Miami’s Mini Italy

There’s a sun-drenched Miami neighborhood where every street feels like a postcard from Southern Europe.

That’s Coral Gables for you—a place dreamed up in 1925 by George Merrick, whose family used to grow grapefruit here.

Here’s why you need to visit this year.

Mediterranean Revival Style Architecture

Merrick set strict design rules so every building would echo Mediterranean styles.

Local coral rock was used for foundations, giving structures their distinctive look. You’ll even spot the Riviera area’s decorative light fixtures by architect Denman Fink.

While Merrick traveled the world for inspiration (even checking out Mexican and Central American styles), not all his ideas worked out.

There was supposed to be a special zone for artists to live and work, but the money ran out before they could build it.

What remains is a uniform streetscape of stucco walls and red-tiled roofs that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a coastal Italian town.

Tree-Lined Avenues Named After Spanish and Italian Towns

Merrick wanted neighborhoods where grand homes and smaller houses could coexist.

Streets like Granada Boulevard and Valencia Avenue paved with local coral stone, mirror their European namesakes.

During the 1925 land boom, Coral Gables sold $150 million in property. But Merrick refused the $10 million buyout to keep control of his vision.

Today, you can still walk under the same banyan trees he planted nearly a century ago.

The Beautiful Pedestrian-Only Giralda Plaza

In 2017, Coral Gables transformed a busy road into Giralda Plaza. It’s a car-free zone with patterned stone walkways and shaded seating under palm trees.

The change boosted foot traffic by 40%, helping local businesses thrive.

You can now enjoy outdoor concerts, art fairs, or a quiet coffee here, just as Merrick imagined when he first designed communal gathering spaces.

The One and Only Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool is a massive coral rock quarry turned into a watery playground in 1924.

They kept the natural springs (which hold 820,000 gallons) and added Venetian-style bridges and waterfalls.

You might recognize it from movies like The Birdcage, and rumor has it Al Capone partied here during Prohibition.

Explore the Historic Miracle Mile

After struggling post-WWII, this four-block district rebounded as “Miracle Mile” in 1955.

Now you’ve got everything from high-end boutiques (we’re talking Neiman Marcus) to family-run Cuban cafés. The restored Miracle Theatre where they perform plays in both English and Spanish is still standing.

The original 1947 terrazzo floors are still there—check out the cool Art Deco patterns next time you’re waiting for your cortadito.

Visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

This place works with NASA to grow plants for space missions.

You can see 450 types of palms, a 300-year-old baobab tree, and butterflies fluttering in the Wings of the Tropics exhibit.

Sculptures by artists like Fernando Botero dot the paths, making it both a peaceful escape and a living science lab.

Home to the Historic Biltmore Hotel

Opened in 1926, this landmark mixes Spanish architecture with Miami history.

Its 315-foot tower, inspired by Seville’s cathedral, watched over 1930s golf tournaments and later housed WWII soldiers.

You might hear rumors of Al Capone’s speakeasy in the Everglades Suite or ghostly dances in the 13th-floor ballroom.

Fun fact: Keeping its coral stone walls intact costs over $12 million yearly.

Caffe Abbracci, Founded in 1989

The Pernetti family has been serving grandma’s secret ravioli recipe since 1989, with a wine cellar that holds 10,000 bottles.

Celebrities like Gloria Estefan are regulars, but the real star is the block they named after founder Nino Pernetti. Try opera nights and you might catch local singers belting out Puccini between courses.

Bonus: they host charity dinners that raise millions for cancer research.

Colorful Arts and Culture Scene

Coral Gables boasts a lively arts and culture scene, which is not surprising for the place where Florida’s first public library opened in 1927.

At the restored Miracle Theatre, you can watch plays in English and Spanish. Don’t miss the annual festival drawing 50,000+ visitors to celebrate the city’s heritage.

The Coral Gables Museum displays Merrick’s original city plans, while a local law ensures 1% of project budgets fund public art resulting in 50+ murals and sculptures.

Six International Sister Cities

Since 1957, Coral Gables has partnered with cities like Aix-en-Provence and Cartagena.

These ties host student exchanges with French architecture schools and joint coral reef projects with Colombian scientists.

At local festivals, you’ll experience traditions like Pisa’s lantern ceremonies adapted for Miami, proof of Merrick’s vision for a globally inspired community.

Join Coral Gables 100th Anniversary Celebrations

2025 marks a special milestone for Coral Gables: its centennial celebration.

Throughout the year, you’ll find events honoring this legacy, from historical walking tours showcasing Merrick’s original coral stone buildings to art exhibitions blending 1920s architecture with modern creativity.

Don’t miss the limited-edition “Centennial Stroll” along Granada Boulevard, where interactive displays let you step into 1925 through augmented reality.

Local restaurants like Caffe Abbracci are joining in too, offering vintage 1920s menu items inspired by Merrick’s era.