2204 North Bay RoadCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www.ci .miami-beach.fl .us
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
June 15,2005
Mr. James F. Pulaski
700 West DiLido Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Re:
2204 North Bay Road, Miami Beach, Florida
Request for a Determination of Architectural Significance
Telephone: (305) 673-7550
Facsimile: (30~-__~73~:~59
Dear Mr. Pulaski:
Pursuant to your request that was received on May 26, 2005 (see Attachment), the Planning
Department has evaluated the subject property at 2204 North Bay Road to determine whether the
single-family residence is architecturally significant. A site visit of the subject property was
conducted by staff on June 7, 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:
1. 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 two-story subject home was deSigned by local master architect Martin L.
Hampton and built by the Mead Construction Company in 1924. It is exemplary of the
Mediterranean Revival style of architecture. Characteristic of this style, the residence has
multiple hipped, clay barrel tile roofs; wooden rafter tails; tongue and groove, wood planked
soffits; a rough stucco finish over the body of the structure; decorative attic vents; and a
sculptural chimney top with clay barrel tile coping.
Most impressive is'the tower-like entrance feature on the front elevation that faces North Bay
Road. It has an articulated surround that highlights the main door and a large focal window
above. The door is framed by engaged pilasters with Composite capitals and elaborate
friezes with the figures of Neptune, Triton and a sea nymph. The focal window is defined by
engaged pilasters with fluted shafts, Composite capitals, and bases. The top of the focal
window is finished with a palmette at the center and decorative urns to either side. The
window and door are separated by a projecting lintel that curves outward, which may have
been originally a balconet with the railing since removed. The door is flanked by framed
single casement windows with circular "cameo"tablets above. The entrance interior features
a dramatic staircase with a decorative wrought iron railing and a matching light pendant
suspended from the vaulted ceiling above. Of special significance are the two sculpted
brackets that are mounted below the focal window and second floor stair landing. They
portray sea nymphs wrapped in swirling waves with lion heads at their feet.
To the north of the front entrance, there is an open-air loggia with clay barrel tile coping and
multiple, arched masonry openings with twisted columns. A two-story garage is attached to
the loggia at the northeastern corner of the residence. It has wooden, double-hung sash
windows with a three overthree, vertical lite pattern. These windows appearto be original to
the garage structure.
Re:
2204 North Bay Road
June 15, 2005
Page 2 of 3
To the south of the front entrance, there is a small courtyard with fence walls and
landscaping. Overlooking the courtyard, on the second floor of the residence, there is a
corner balcony that is supported by large curved brackets and features open clay barrel tile
pane/ed walls for cross-ventilation. The balcony connects to a sleeping room at the far
south end of the home. The sleeping room is wrapped with multi-#ted casement windows
that have arched transoms and twisted columns. The interior of the sleeping room appears
to have its original floor with mu/ti-colored terra cotta broken tiles framed by square ti/es.
Together all of these architectural features contribute to the special character and
architectural significance of this remarkable 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.
Satisfied. The exterior of the subject home is clearly recognizable as an example of its style
and period with limited modifications. In 1960, a cabana/snack bar addition was constructed
at the northwestern corner of the residence. In 1985, the windows and doors were replaced
in the main structure, and the roofs of the main structure and garage were replaced with new
clay barrel tiles. These modifications were consistent with the Mediterranean Revival style
of the residence. That same year, a sma#portion of the sundeck above the Florida room on
the rear elevation was enclosed to accommodate an expansion of the master bath, and a
Iow hand rail was installed on the raised parapet walls of the sundeck. At some point in
time, it appears that the Florida room was enclosed with louvers (later replaced with French
doors and arched transoms in 1985), and new railings were installed on the balconets on the
front and rear elevations of the home. These alterations and additions were generally
sensitively detailed and scaled to the original residence, and they do not have a significant
negative impact on the architectural integrity of the single-family home.
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 two-story residence is highly compatible with the built context of the
surrounding sing/e-family homes in terms of sca/e, character, and massing.
The Planning Department has determined that the subject building 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.
Re:
2204 North Bay Road
June 15,2005
Page 3 of 3
We would very much like to meet with you or your representative to discuss the subject building in
more detail. The Mediterranean Revival style residence was designed by a local master architect,
Martin L. Hampton, who is also credited for designing historic Old City Hall at 1130 Washington
Avenue in 1927. The subject home is a landmark, with its fine proportions and attention to detail, in
a prominent location on North Bay Road overlooking Sunset Lake. 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.
Sincerely,
William H. Cary c
Assistant Planning Dire t
C:
Robert Parcher, City Clerk
Jorge G. Gomez, Planning Director
Thomas R. Mooney, Design and Preservation Manager
Shannon Anderton, Senior Planner
Angel T. Franco, A.T. Franco & Associates
SFRRB File No. 50
JGG:WHC:TRM:SMA
F:\PLAN\$ALL\Single Family Homes\CorrespondenceS2204 North Bay Rd.sma.doc
May 24, 2005
City of Miami Beach Planning Department
1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7550
Re:
Pulaski Residence
2204 North Bay Road
Miami Beach, FL
To Whom It May Concern:
I am currently the owner of a single family residence at 2204 North Bay Road in Miami Beach. I am
requesting that the Planning Department of Miami Beach determine if the home is architecturally
significant.
The property was purchased in February of this year and I wish to remodel and add to the exterior
and interior of the home. It is my understanding ~that the existing structural components of the home
may be unstable. I have hired an architectural and engineering firm to investigate the structural
stability of the home and to advise on what if any components of the home can be salvaged.
I am requesting permission to demolish the house based on the responses of the architect and
engineer. The repairing, or renovating, of the home is not feasible based on the amount of time and
money needed to stabilize the structure and the fact that I'll be upgrading over 50% of the current
value of the structure and would need to meet the requirements of the Florida Code and the FEMA
flood plain elevation. I cannot do this without literally destroying the house to raise the floor levels.
Sincerely
James F. Pulaski
cc: Angel T Franco, AIA