Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables, Florida deeply deserves its title of “The Beautiful City”. Designed with beauty in mind, Coral Gables was one of America’s first fully planned communities. Visionary George Merrick used ideas from the Garden City Movement and the Beautiful City Movement to develop plans for a city tailored to highest-quality residential living as well as for international commerce. Inspired by Mediterranean-style Architecture, Merrick used coral and stucco in his designs, creating a distinct and remarkable ambience.
More than 50,000 trees shade the thirteen square miles of Coral Gables, earning its name as a Tree City for the past 14 years. Many homes shelter in secluded residential enclaves, separated by thriving commercial districts. An abundance of parks, greenways and tennis courts grace the city, along with three top-notch golf courses. Thirty-six miles of waterway wind through Coral Gables, FL. Here, one finds the stunning Venetian Pool, listed on theNational Register of Historic Places, an 820,000-gallon spring-fed public pool, complete with two waterfalls and coral caves.
Coral Gable’s downtown area is as unique as the city itself. Known as the Miracle Mile, numerous European-style outdoor cafes offer fine international cuisine. Four live theaters, specialty shops, art galleries and retail stores draw patrons from all over Florida’s Gold Coast. Though considered pedestrian-friendly, many visitors to downtown Coral Gables, FL prefer to ride the new hybrid electric trolleys.
Coral Gables claims one of the only three National Landmarks found within Miami-Dade County: the extravagant Biltmore Hotel, built 1926. Eight Coral Gables properties besides the Venetian Pool made the National Register of Historic Places, including the City Hall and the Merrick House.
George Merrick’s dream of creating an international city has come true. Today, Coral Gables is home to 26 consulates and trade offices, and 175 multi-national corporations. Boasting a robust economy, Coral Gables residents work in educational, professional, scientific and technical fields, along with the always-strong Florida tourist industry.
Coral Gables, FL is home to the renowned University of Miami. More than 58 percent of Coral Gables residents over 25 achieve a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to 2000 Census figures, the per capita income was over $46,000 annually, more than $24,000 higher than the national norm. Median household income was almost $67,000, compared to $42,000 nationally. Coral Gables city leaders help keep property taxes low. Median rents were $694, and monthly homeowner costs, $2,309. Census 2000 showed the population to be 42,249. 2005 estimates show a slight increase, to just under 43,000 residents.
Coral Gables, Florida exemplifies George Merrick’s founding premise that a city can be beautiful as well as achieve international affluence. Only miles from the glittering lights and glamour of Miami, Coral Gables, FL shines as Florida’s “Beautiful City”.
