4265 Prairie AvenueCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www:ci .miami-beach .fl .us
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Telephone: {305) 673-7550
Facsimile: (305) 673-7559
May 13, 2005
Mr. Kenneth N. ReKant, P.A.
333 41st Street, Suite 506
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Re:
4265 Prairie Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida
Request for a Determination of Architectural Significance
Dear Mr. ReKant:
Pursuant to your request that was received on April 13, 2005 (see Attachment), the Planning
Department has evaluated the subject property at 4265 Prairie Avenue to determine whether the
single-family residence is architecturally significant. A site visit of the subject property was
conducted by staff on April 28, 2005. In accordance with Section 142-108(1) of the Land
Development Regulations of the Miami Beach City Code, the following criteria determine whether a
home constructed prior to 1942 is architecturally significant:
The subject structure is characteristic of a specific architectural style constructed in the city
prior to 1942, including, but not limited to, Vernacular, Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco,
Streamline Moderne, or variations thereof.
Satisfied. The one-story subject home was designed by local architect Robert M. Little and
built by W. W. Goodman in 1938. It is a modest example of the Mediterranean Revival style
of architecture with an influence of Art Deco. Characteristic of the Mediterranean Revival
style, the residence has Iow-pitched, clay barrel tile roofs; wooden rafter tails; tongue and
groove, wood planked soffits; attic vents in the open-gabled roof ends; and a rotunda-like
element at the northeast corner of the home.
Although its design is predominately Mediterranean Revival, the subject home also has an
Art Deco influence. Some of its architectural features reflective of this style include windows
that wrap the building comers and multi-lited, steel casement windows. In addition, there
are two Art Deco inspired design elements on the south wall of the garage: a geometric-
shaped vent finished with brick (now painted) as well as two horizontal rows of decorative
glass block with alternating racing stripes of terra-cotta colored brick.
In fact, the design of this residence was ahead of its time. It also features design elements
and materials that are characteristic of the Post War Modern or Miami Modern (MiMo) style
that followed World War I1. These elements include: grouped, slender columns at the north
and south ends of the front porch; a terra-cotta colored brick-faced wall in the recess of the
central front porch (the bricks are now painted dark red with black grout lines); a true flag
stone floor on the front porch; a meandering flag stone entrance path; and brick-faced posts
with tiered caps flanking the entrance to the front garden. Together all of these architectural
features contribute to the special character and architectural significance of this modest
residence.
The exterior of the structure is recognizable as an example of its style and/or period, and its
architectural design integrity has not been modified in a manner that cannot be reversed
without unreasonable expense.
Re:
4265 Prairie Avenue
May 13, 2005
Page 2 of 3
Satisfied. The exterior of the subject home is c/early recognizable as an example of its
style and period with limited modifications. In 1953, the rear porch was enclosed and a
sma//addition was constructed. At some point in time, two brick-faced design elements at
the front of the house were painted dark red with b/ack grout lines. The original brick could
easily be restored to its natural terra-cotta co/or without unreasonable expense. These
limited modifications do not have a significant negative impact on the architectural integrity
of the residence.
Significant exterior architectural characteristics, features, or details of the subject structure
remain intact.
Satisfied. The subject home has not been significantly altered and appears to be
substantially consistent with its original architectural design.
The subject structure embodies the scale, character, and massing of the built context of its
immediate area.
Satisfied. The one-story residence is compatible with the built context of the surrounding
single-family homes in terms of scale, character, and massing.
The Planning Department has determined that the subject building, although a modest residence,
does meet the criteria in Section 142-108(1) and, therefore, is architecturally significant. This
determination relative to architectural significance of the single-family home may be appealed within
ten (10) days of rendering such decision. The appeal must be in writing and shall be to the Design
Review Board.
In accordance with Section 142-108(4), a request for the total demolition of an architecturally
significant single-family home must be reviewed by the Design Review Board (DRB). A permit for
the demolition of an architecturally significant single-family home shall not be issued unless a full
building permit for new construction has been issued. In the event an architecturally significant
home is proposed to be demolished, the Design Review Board shall review and approve all new
construction on the subject site. If you wish to pursue the total demolition of the subject structure
and the construction of a new home, please contact Michael Belush, Senior Planner, at 305-673-
7000 extension 6258, in order to schedule a pre-application conference for the Design Review
Board.
Because staff has determined this single-family home to be architecturally significant, we would like
to suggest that you consider requesting that the Historic Preservation Board evaluate the property
for local individual historic structure designation. There can be significant tax and other benefits to
historic designation, and staff would be pleased to discuss these opportunities with you and assist
in this process. Please contact either myself or Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner, to schedule an
appointment to discuss this matter further at 305-673-7550.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Shannon
Anderton, Senior Planner, at 305-673-7550.
Robert Parcher, City Clerk
Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director
Thomas R. Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner
SFRRB File No. 49
Boris and Shure Pinkhasov, subject property owners
Charles Benson, Architect
JGG:WHC:TRM:SMA
F:\PLAN\$ALL\Single Family Homes\Correspondence\4265 Prairie Ave.sma.doc
Re: 4265 Prairie Avenue
May 13, 2005
Page 3 of 3
KENNETH N. REKANT, P.A.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW
333 ~.!~sT,S, Tf~'~ SU;TE 506
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140
TEL: (305) 531-2225
FAX-' (305) 538-8014
April 13, 2005
City Of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Att: Planning Department
Re: Demolition of house located at 4265 Praire Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140,
purchased by Boris and Shure Pinkhasov from Four M Investment Properties Inc.
To Whom It May Concern:
Kindly be advised that I represent Boris and Shure Pinkhasov whose mailing address is 3025
Royal Palm Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140. ITel: 305-381-9302]
They recently purchased a house located at 4265 Praire Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140.
This property contains a very small house of about 1200 square feet and is in very poor
condition. I am told that it has been unoccupied for the past nine [9] years. The structure in
my opinion has absolutely no architecturally redeeming qualities to the structure. My clients
would like to demolish the house and build a new one.
Attached you will find a number of exhibits in compliance with Section 142-108. Please let me
know whether you need any further information or documentation to effectuate the application
process for a demolition permit.
Ke ~naeth~. ReKant, P.A. } J
FAXED TO 305-673-7559 IN LIEU OF MAILING