Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board approves Nolan House addition, denies after‑the‑fact warehouse changes and signs off on several preservation

The City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board on Aug. 22 approved a package of preservation and development actions including a five‑story, rear office addition to the historically designated George E. Nolan House (1548 Brickell Ave.), approved a preliminary historic‑designation evaluation for a Downtown property, and denied an after‑the‑fact alteration to a Little River industrial building. The board also approved a fence for a preschool on Biscayne Boulevard and acted on other items with conditions and appeals information.

Why it matters: the board’s votes keep several historic properties in use while seeking to protect their defining features. Members approved adaptive‑use measures that staff said will help preserve buildings that otherwise could be lost to redevelopment, and rejected work done without prior approvals that staff found adverse to a district’s character.

Nolan House (1548 Brickell Ave.) — approved with conditions The board approved a special certificate of appropriateness (SCOA) and related waivers to allow a rear office addition to the George E. Nolan House, a Neoclassical revival residence now used for office purposes. The project will locate a modest five‑story addition on the existing rear surface parking area, preserve the front lawn and the historic façade and connect to a small 2000s addition. Preservation planner Adrian Espinosa presented staff’s recommendation for approval with conditions requiring submittal of materials and that all glass be clear or low‑e (no opaque or colored glass). Architect George Hernandez said the design intentionally reads as a contemporary background to the historic house rather than a mimicry of its ornamentation; Hernandez also told the board, “I’ve never seen a property better cared for than when it has been under the current applicant’s care.”

Conditions added by the board include staff review of final materials and the applicant’s study of additional landscaping for the front area and incorporation of planted/green roof elements on the new construction. The board recorded the action and noted the 15‑day appeal period that applies to SCOA decisions.

Coconut Grove Village West amendment (3628 Broad/Frohl Ave.) — approved with covenant The board approved a final amendment to…