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Board weighs demolition and replacement at 141–145 South Shore Drive; continues item after design requests
Summary
The board discussed a request to demolish two contributing 1‑story postwar buildings on South Shore Drive and replace them with a four‑story residential building; staff supported demolition given flood elevation and adaptive‑reuse constraints, but board members requested design revisions and continued the item to September.
The Historic Preservation Board considered an application to demolish two contributing mid‑century one‑story buildings at 141–145 South Shore Drive and replace them with a four‑story multifamily building. Staff said both structures sit below base‑flood elevation, limiting feasible adaptation for residential use without demolition. Staff recommended approval of demolition and a waiver of a strict ground‑floor height requirement in favor of a 10‑foot first floor.
Applicant architect Eddie Seymour (speaker 9) outlined a scheme that breaks the building massing with a central courtyard, steps back upper floors and includes limestone at the ground level to reduce visual bulk. Several board members expressed concern about the entry expression, the appearance of proposed railings and the pedestrian experience; MDPL urged higher‑quality materials and a stronger relationship to Miami Beach mid‑century character. A neighbor (Carlos Chineros, speaker 20) warned the project would change the neighborhood character and increase traffic.
The board held a non‑binding straw poll indicating several members would support demolition pending a board‑supported final design. The board ultimately voted to continue the item to September and asked the applicant to return with revised approach to the entrance, railing details, and clearer landscaping/porch improvements and a sample of proposed railing materials.
