Miami Beach HPB delays decision on demolition request for 1800 Michigan Avenue; staff urges preservation of existing house

The Historic Preservation Board on July 8 continued an application by trustees seeking a certificate of appropriateness (COA) to demolish the contributing 1935 house at 1800 Michigan Avenue and replace it with a new residence, after staff said more study was needed and the board signaled reservations about full demolition.

Staff planner Debbie Tackett told the board the structure, designed by Carlos Schopel and Arnold Southwell, is a contributing house in the Palm View Historic District and that staff “does not believe that the total demolition of the home is warranted” and prefers an approach that explores retaining character‑defining portions and removing only later unpermitted additions.

Why it matters: The property is part of a larger four‑lot assemblage where two adjoining homes at 1810 and 1818 were recently demolished following building‑official orders; the board must weigh the neighborhood’s architectural history against owners’ claims of severe structural and flood‑related constraints.

What staff, engineers and the applicant said Debbie Tackett (Historic Preservation staff) said the applicant provided a structural engineering report documenting deficiencies but that the report did not show life‑safety conditions that would require immediate total demolition. She urged the board to allow more time for staff and the applicant to evaluate whether parts of the original 1935 house could…