Historic Preservation Board approves demolition and additions at 1144 Milan Avenue

The City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board on April 23 unanimously approved design changes and the demolition of a deteriorated detached garage at 1144 Milan Avenue, a locally designated landmark originally designed by Martin L. Hampton.

Anna Peris, the city's preservation officer, told the board staff supported the proposed 1,255‑square‑foot two‑story addition, carport and site work but had concerns about demolishing the original detached garage. Peris noted the code requires the board to weigh eight criteria for demolition of a contributing structure and that the detached auxiliary building had been identified as a character‑defining feature ("staff believes that the one and two‑story addition and the carport addition are appropriate to the existing main residence, but has concerns with approving demolition of the original detached garage").

Architect Leo Beon, representing the applicant, described prior reviews with the Board of Architects and said plans comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. He told members the detached garage was too small for modern vehicles (about 10 feet by 18 feet) and that a structural engineer and arborist reported root intrusion and footing uplift that require rebuilding. "There's no way to save it," Beon said, describing the garage as structurally compromised and proposing a gazebo and a recessed carport to limit streetscape impacts.

Owner Jazelle Viadores described the house as long abandoned and in distress when purchased and emphasized safety concerns: "I removed the trees because I didn't want to cause any more damage to the property... this is important for me to preserve the history of this house, but I also am looking at the safety of my family." She submitted an arborist report and photos documenting foundation movement and tree root intrusion.

Board members pressed the applicant on roof details, the rationale for the demolition and whether the garage could be repurposed. Several members said they generally prefer to retain detached garages but that the combination of documented structural damage, an engineer's assessment and the applicant's proposed rear‑facing design made demolition acceptable in this instance.

Mr. Garcia Ponds moved to approve the design proposal and issue the Special Certificate of Appropriateness with conditions removing the staff's original requirement to repurpose the garage, and adding conditions directing the applicant to work with staff on revising the second‑floor shed roofs (with a preference for flat or parapet roofs) and to replace the proposed barrel tower roof on the gazebo with a flat roof. The motion, seconded by Miss Spain, passed on a unanimous roll call.

The board's approval allows the applicant to proceed with building permit submittals subject to the listed conditions and any remaining administrative reviews.