Today, South Beach Miami is synonymous with glamour, Art Deco architecture, and world-class nightlife. But just over a century ago, this iconic destination was nothing more than a mosquito-infested mangrove swamp. The transformation of South Beach from uninhabitable wetland to international playground is one of America's most remarkable urban development stories.
The Early Days: Before Miami Beach Existed
In the 1800s, the barrier island we now call Miami Beach was completely wild. Dense mangrove forests lined the shores, and the interior was a tangle of palmetto scrub and marshland. The only inhabitants were wildlife—and the occasional shipwrecked sailor.
The first attempt at development came in 1870, when Henry and Charles Lum purchased 165 acres to start a coconut plantation. They planted thousands of coconut palms, hoping to create a tropical agricultural enterprise. The venture failed—the soil was too sandy, and hurricanes destroyed their crops—but those coconut palms would later become iconic symbols of Miami Beach.
The Lummus Brothers and the Birth of Miami Beach
The true founders of Miami Beach were John and James Lummus, who arrived in 1912 with a vision. These brothers from Georgia saw potential where others saw swampland. They purchased land in what is now South of Fifth—the very neighborhood where The Local House stands today—and began the monumental task of transforming it into a seaside resort community.
The Lummus brothers' first subdivision, platted in 1912, was Miami Beach's original development. They dredged canals, filled in marshland, and built the first wooden structures. Their dream was to create an "American Riviera"—a playground for the wealthy that could rival the French Côte d'Azur.
Carl Fisher: The Man Who Built Miami Beach
While the Lummus brothers started the development, it was Carl Fisherwho truly built Miami Beach. Fisher, a millionaire entrepreneur who had made his fortune in automobile headlights and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, arrived in 1913 and immediately saw the island's potential.
Fisher invested millions in dredging Biscayne Bay, using the sand to raise the island's elevation and create buildable land. He constructed hotels, polo fields, golf courses, and tennis courts. He even imported gondolas from Venice and elephants for publicity stunts. By the early 1920s, Miami Beach was the hottest destination in America.
The Florida Land Boom of the 1920s
The 1920s brought unprecedented growth to Miami Beach. The Florida land boom attracted speculators from across the country, all hoping to get rich in the tropical real estate market. Property values skyrocketed—some lots sold multiple times in a single day, each time at a higher price.
It was during this era that many of South Beach's iconic buildings were constructed. Developers built hotels, apartment buildings, and commercial structures at a frantic pace. The architectural style of choice was Mediterranean Revival, with its red tile roofs, stucco walls, and ornate details.
But the boom couldn't last forever. A devastating hurricane in 1926 killed hundreds and destroyed much of the new construction. The Great Depression followed in 1929, and Miami Beach's first golden age came to an abrupt end.
The Art Deco Era: South Beach's Architectural Renaissance
From the ashes of the Depression rose South Beach's most enduring legacy: itsArt Deco architecture. Between 1930 and 1941, developers constructed hundreds of buildings in the new Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles that were sweeping the nation.
Architects like Henry Hohauser, L. Murray Dixon, andAlbert Anis designed buildings that were smaller and more affordable than the grand Mediterranean Revival hotels of the 1920s. These structures featured geometric patterns, nautical motifs, pastel colors, and the distinctive "eyebrows" (horizontal ledges above windows) that helped shade interiors from the tropical sun.
The result was the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world—over 800 buildings in a roughly one-square-mile area. Today, this Art Deco Historic District is a National Historic Landmark and draws millions of visitors annually.
South of Fifth: Miami Beach's First Neighborhood
The area south of Fifth Street—where The Local House is located at 400 Ocean Drive—holds special significance in Miami Beach history. This was the Lummus brothers' original subdivision, the very first piece of Miami Beach to be developed.
Before World War II, South of Fifth was one of the few areas in Miami Beach that welcomed Jewish visitors and residents, who faced discrimination elsewhere. This inclusive heritage helped shape the neighborhood's character as a welcoming, diverse community.
Today, South of Fifth (SoFi) is Miami Beach's most exclusive neighborhood, home to luxury condominiums, world-class restaurants, and the pristine South Pointe Park. The area has come full circle—from Miami Beach's humble beginning to its most prestigious address.
The Decline and Rebirth of South Beach
By the 1970s, South Beach had fallen into decline. The Art Deco buildings that had once been cutting-edge were now seen as outdated. Many had been converted into low-rent apartments or retirement homes. Crime was rampant, and developers were eager to demolish the "old" buildings and replace them with modern high-rises.
The savior of South Beach was Barbara Baer Capitman, a designer and preservationist who recognized the architectural significance of the Art Deco district. In 1976, she founded the Miami Design Preservation League and began a decades-long campaign to save the buildings from demolition.
Her efforts paid off in 1979, when the Art Deco Historic District became the first 20th-century neighborhood to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This protection sparked a renaissance. Investors began restoring the buildings, painting them in the now-iconic pastel colors, and transforming South Beach into the glamorous destination it is today.
South Beach Today: A Living Museum
Modern South Beach is a unique blend of history and contemporary culture. The Art Deco buildings that were nearly demolished now house boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and exclusive nightclubs. Ocean Drive—the street where The Local House welcomes guests daily—has become one of the most photographed streets in America.
When you walk down Ocean Drive today, you're walking through over a century of history. The coconut palms planted by the Lum brothers still sway in the ocean breeze. The Art Deco facades designed by Hohauser and Dixon still gleam in the tropical sun. And the spirit of the Lummus brothers' dream—an American Riviera where visitors can escape the ordinary—lives on in every sunset cocktail and oceanfront brunch.
Experience the History at The Local House
At The Local House, we're proud to be part of South Beach's continuing story. Our building on Ocean Drive reflects the Art Deco heritage that makes this neighborhood special, while our Italian ownership since 2012 adds a new chapter to the area's tradition of welcoming visitors from around the world.
Whether you're enjoying our famous Lobster Eggs Benedict at brunch or watching the sunset from our rooftop, you're experiencing the same magic that has drawn visitors to South Beach for over a century.
Join us for brunchand taste the history of South Beach for yourself.