A building that is integrated with landscape and art: an office structure that is completely humanized, and architectural design which was dictated by the unusual site and the desire to give maximum views of the tropical environment: That is Office in the Grove. The building concept developed by Kenneth Treister, FAIA in 1970, offers a contemporary structure delightfully in scale with its environment and the people who make use of its facilities on a daily basis. Integrating art, architecture and landscape into a harmonious whole is an achievement, which will distinguish the building as a landmark for future generations to enjoy.
"Docomomo US / Florida, the local chapter of Docomomo International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the modern movement for nearly 25 years, applied May 5 to the City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board requesting them to designate Office in the Grove, Coconut Grove, a historic, architectural resource."
This is the richly decorated, highly sculptural lobby of The Office in the Grove, designed by architect Kenneth Treister in 1970. The building was modernist, but the lobby interior was richly covered in plaster and concrete bas reliefs, copper sculptures and light fixtures, and intricately carved wood elevator panels, depicting many of the natural wonders of the Office in the Grove's surrounding neighborhood, a place where peacocks walk the streets (Some consider them a public nuisance sadly) and palm trees galore make the name 'Coconut Grove' literally true.
It appears that Il Palmetto, one of Palm Beach's biggest historic estates, which was listed for a whopping $137 million by billionaire Jim Clark, has been taken off the market for the time being.
The developer who recently purchased the Office in the Grove building, designed and constructed in 1970 by important local architect Kenneth Treister, appears to be very serious about his or her intentions to demolish it, and has already destroyed the original lobby.
Vizcaya, the early 20th century winter home of Chicago industrialist James Deering was almost from its earliest inception destined to be far more than just a big house in Coconut Grove, despite Deering's desire for a comfortable and pleasant place to spend the winters and entertain relatives in his retirement. As soon as Deering met Vizcaya's chief designer, or 'creative director' as he is also known, Paul Chalfin, the estate became a great gestamkunstverk, or total work of art.
After who-the-hell-knows-how-long of nothing happening to the torn up Espanola Way, one of Miami Beach's most iconic architectural compositions, things have finally begun moving forward with its conversion to a completely pedestrian environment.
The stately and historic Casa del Ensuenos in Palm Beach, designed by that narrow strip of money's most iconic architect, Addison Mizner, is on the market asking a generous $32.5 million. Curbed wrote something about it last week. Apparently the name probably means 'house of the dreams,' but more importantly, it's a Mizner! A good Mizner is worth its weight in Manolo Blahniks, and this one's a real gem.
