Shore Apartments

Shore Apartments (formally known as “The Shore”) is a historical modernist landmark on Indian Creek in the Normandy Isles neighborhood of North Miami Beach, United States. It was designed by B. Robert Swartburg[1] in 1948 for Maurice Gusman[2] and opened on January 9, 1949.

Shore Apartments
Former namesThe Shore
General information
StatusCompleted
Architectural styleModern, Miami Modern
LocationMiami Beach, Florida, U.S
Address6881 Bay Drive
Coordinates25.8545°N 80.1264°W / 25.8545; -80.1264
Construction started1948
OpenedJanuary 9, 1949
Cost$300,000
OwnerBay Drive Condo Association Inc.
Technical details
Floor count3
Design and construction
Architect(s)Robert Swartburg
DeveloperMaurice Gusman
Other designersGeorge Farras
Main contractorS.C. Davis Construction Co.
Shore Apartments
Shore Apartments is located in Florida
Shore Apartments
Coordinates25.8545°N 80.1264°W / 25.8545; -80.1264
Part ofNormandy Isles Historic District (ID08001041)
Designated CPNovember 12, 2008

The building is a contributing property to the Normandy Isles Historic District. The building's modern architecture featuring distinct Art Deco and Streamline elements of MiMo architectural style earned it listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[3]

In 1995 the building was converted into a condominium and incorporated as a non-profit Bay Drive Condo Association, Inc.[4]

Site

The Shore Apartments building is located on the Normandy Isle in North Miami Beach. Shore Apartments building occupies a keystone shaped lot with 100 feet Bay Drive frontage, 160 feet water frontage of Indian Creek, 196 feet on the South line and 170 feet on the North line.[2] The entry lobby is on the East side of the Bay Drive street. The area surrounding the Shore Apartments building is home to other architectural landmarks, among them are Mediterranean-style fountain built in 1922 along the 71st street by a French-born developer Henri Levy[5] and King Cole Condos (previously known as King Cole Apartments and Yacht Basin).[6]

History

In 1922 Miami Beach developer Carl Fisher refused to partner with French-born Henri Levy due to Levy's Jewish heritage, but agreed to sell the land in the northern reaches of Miami Beach to him for independent development projects. Levi named the land Normandy Isle after his homeland in France.[5] Normandy Isle houses and apartment buildings were planned around three main areas: a central business district along 71st Street, a golf course in the northern portion of the property, and a grand hotel on the southeastern tip of the site.[6]

The development of the site slowed down after the real estate crash of 1926 and was renewed in the post WWII era fueled by the steady population growth.[7]

In 1948 a businessman and philanthropist Maurice Gusman, the developer of the historical Olympia Theater commissioned Robert Swartburg to design a small luxury apartment building that would cost $300,000[2] (equivalent to $3.65 million in 2022). The original interiors of the apartments were commissioned to George Farkas, a Miami-based industrial designer. Farkas became a nationally recognized name after his prize-winning fabric designs were exhibited in the "Printed Textiles for the Home: Prize-winning Designs from National Competition"[8] organized by the Department of Industrial Design at the Museum of Modern Art.[9]

Design
Shore Apartments Miami design by Robert Swartburg drawing 1948.
Shore Apartments design drawing 1948.

The Shore Apartments building has a keystone shape following the shape of the lot it was built on. At the time of its inception, there were 22 units with 3 two-bedroom/two-bath apartments, 17 one-bedroom apartments and 2 efficiencies. The third-floor penthouse had a private terrace. All apartments featured a terrace facing either Indian creek or the interior patio decorated with a large flower and lily pool. One of the main attraction of the building was a large private dock for six boats.[2]

Architectural style

The building is designed in the early Mid-century modern architectural style with streamline and MiMo style elements.

Facade

The facade of the Shore Apartments building featured an open breezeway, extending a third of the width of the front of the building, creating a view of the patio and Indian creek from the side.[10]

Artist and photographer Anastasia Samoylova photography book Flood Zone features a photo of the Shore Apartments building facade detail with round streamline windows.

Notable tenants

References
  1. "'Every Step Is A Nightmare': Miami Beach Condo Board Makes Plea For Help Maintaining Its Property". WLRN. 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  2. "Apartments Cost $300,000". Miami Daily News. Miami, Fl, USA. July 11, 1948. p. 8-B. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  3. "NPGallery Asset Detail".
  4. "Detail by Entity Name". search.sunbiz.org. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  5. Nepomechie, Marilys (2010). Building paradise : an architectural guide to the Magic city. Miami (Fla.): AIA Miami. ISBN 9780615354668.
  6. Shulman, Allan T. (2010). Miami Architecture: An AIA Guide Featuring Downtown, the Beaches, and Coconut Grove. ISBN 978-0813034713.
  7. "World War II and Post-War Boom - Florida Department of State". dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  8. "Printed Textiles for the Home | MoMA". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  9. Bryne, Eileen (July 14, 1948). "Miami Textile Designs Result from Application of Do It Yourself Motto". The Miami Herald. pp. 6D.
  10. "Davis Builds Indian Creek Apartments". The Miami Herald. Miami, Fl. July 11, 1948. p. 2C.
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