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Historic designation approved for 1624 Granada Boulevard in Coral Gables
Summary
The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved local historic designation for the 1925 Martin L. Hampton–designed house at 1624 Granada Boulevard, citing its Mediterranean Revival architecture, association with early Coral Gables development, and retained character-defining features.
The City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved local historic designation on June 18 for the 1925 single-family residence at 1624 Granada Boulevard.
Historic Preservation Planner Elizabeth Fearon presented the staff designation report, saying the two-story Mediterranean Revival home — designed by Martin L. Hampton and built on a 107-by-200-foot corner lot — “significantly contributes to the historic fabric of Coral Gables” and meets the code’s historical and architectural significance criteria. Fearon noted the house retains many character-defining features, and staff concluded that most alterations are reversible; staff recommended approval.
The report describes the 4,800-square-foot house as among the first on Granada Boulevard and ties it to founder George Merrick’s 1920s vision for a Mediterranean-inspired city. Key features cited in the report include a projecting entry tower, barrel-tile roofs, arched openings, balconies, a belfry-inspired chimney and an original masonry exterior stairway. Staff noted a 1947 second-story addition is considered historic fabric while a 1980 terrace is not; the report also records that hurricane-impact windows were installed in 2019 and that permit drawings for that work were not located.
The applicant did not appear in person but an architect on Zoom, Maddie Long Martinez of Lammar Design Group, told the board the owners look forward to the designation and intend to return with certificate-of-appropriateness (COA) proposals for garage and porch changes.
Ms. Rolando moved to designate the property and Ms. Alvarez seconded; roll-call votes recorded seven affirmative votes and the motion passed unanimously.
The designation means the property will be subject to Coral Gables’ local-review processes for future exterior changes and to the standards articulated in Article 8 of the zoning code. Staff also noted it received a letter of support from the Coral Gables Preservation Association.
