Les Beilingson Obituary June 16, 2013Les Beilinson, South Beach architect/preservationist, dies after surgery -Obituaries - Mia...Page 1of 4
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Posted on Sunday, 06.16.13emailprintcommentreprints
Les Beilinson, South Beach
architect/preservationist, dies after surgery
BY ELINOR J. BRECHER
EBRECHER@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Les Beilinson grew up in Miami Beach during its
post-World War II glory years.
Later, as an architect, he became a leader of the
movement to preserve the city’s Art Deco heritage
as an original member of the Historic Preservation
Board, and a hands-on savior of threatened
structures.
Born Nov. 7, 1946, Les Dennis Beilinson died
Friday at Mount Sinai Medical Center of abdominal
Les Beilinson
surgery complications, according to son-in-law
Peter Johnson. Beilinson, a Miami Beach Senior
High School and University of Miami graduate, and
veteran of the U.S. Reserves, was 66.
Fullsize previous | next
He lived all his life in his hometown.
Image 1 of 2
Beilinson’s restoration projects included some of
South Beach’s most famous landmarks, including
Española Way, Essex House, the Marlin, Edison, Breakwater, Park Central, Century, Shore Park,
Traymore, Tiffany, Ritz Plaza, Imperial Hotels and Betsy Ross.
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“The majority are shoeboxes with wood-frame construction on the inside and front façades and small
public lobby spaces,” Beilinson told the American Institute of Architects in 2010, when the group’s Miami
chapter named him Historic Architect of the Year.
“Many were severely deteriorated with a lot of sagging,” he said. “The concrete had a high salt content that
deteriorated the steel bars and beams reinforcing it — I looked at some of these buildings and I didn’t
know what kept them standing.”
In her book, Deco Delights:Preserving The Beauty and Joy of Miami Beach Architecture, preservation
pioneer Barbara Baer Capitman noted just how important Beilinson’s projects were to the Art Deco legacy.
“Without saving the great hotels and theaters and storefronts, the district would never exist as we know it,”
she wrote. “With the protection of the wonderful architecture, we have seen the other aspects of the district
remain and indeed blossom.”
Said Beth Dunlop, editor of the architecture magazine MODERN: “Les Beilinson was an early believer in
both the beauty of the Art Deco District and the power of historic preservation to transform and elevate
communities. Throughout the years, he played a critical role in safeguarding our precious heritage.”
He designed Miami Beach’s News Cafe and Armani Exchange store, early landmarks in the South Beach
rebirth.
An expert on wood-frame construction, Beilinson didn’t confine his efforts to Miami Beach.
With Jose Gomez, his business partner since 1997 in Beilinson Gomez Architects, he worked on
Overtown’s historic Lyric Theater, Freedom Tower, Hialeah Park, and the Opa-locka and Coral Gables city
halls.
The firm also designed high-end residences and took on several quirky challenges.
In 2010, Beilinson designed a 23-foot arched structure supporting a football that spanned Ocean Drive to
commemorate 10 Super Bowls in Miami.
He used steel recycled from the Orange Bowl and Dolphin stadiums.
In 2008, he affixed 46 blue marlins to the exterior of a building on the west side of Interstate 95 at 85th
Street, transforming a porn video store into Capt. Harry’s Fishing Supply.
In Broward County, the firm designed Fort Lauderdale’s Vintro Hotel and Modani furniture showroom.
In a statement on Saturday, Jose Gomez said: “Les was my mentor, friend and partner. He was also a
pioneer and visionary who played a key role in restoring South Beach to its glory days, starting in the late
’70s when he and a handful of architects and historic preservationists fought developers’ plans to raze
much of South Beach.
“During ensuing years, Les was instrumental in helping preserve South Beach history, with more than 200
projects to his credit. It is safe to say that without Les, South Beach would not be what it is today.”
Beilinson “established a culture of integrity, excellence and an unparalleled commitment to client service in
our firm,” Gomez added. “He set protocols, secured resources and nurtured talent to allow us to deliver a
wide range of architectural services for generations.”
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Les Beilinson is survived by Sherry G. Beilinson, his wife of 43 years, daughter Tory Johnson and son
David Beilinson, both of New York.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Ave., Miami
Beach.
The family suggests that instead of sending flowers, friends make memorial contributions to the Miami
Design Preservation League.
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