Moving to Miami Beach: 5 Architectural Styles You Will Find in Miami Beach and How to Pick One That Works for You

Miami is an unrivaled haven if you love interior décor and architectural design. Miami Beach luxury homes comprise one of the world’s largest collections of Art Deco buildings, including over 960 historic buildings. But the rich offerings go beyond Art Deco. Whether you like grand mansions, single-family bungalows, or modern condos, homes in Miami are available in every style you can think of. Here is a breakdown of five of the most popular options you can consider for your next home. 

 Classic Art Deco

As mentioned, many Miami Beach homes for sale are in the Art Deco style. This is because many of the city’s buildings were built in the early 1900s during the Art Deco movement when the style made its way to America from France. The Art Deco style combines tech and industry influences with the decorative arts to produce homes emphasizing angular forms and geometric patterns. Popular Art Deco buildings in the area include the Shrine Building, St. John’s Baptist Church, and Pan American Seaplane Base.

 Mediterranean Revival

Another popular style in Miami Beach, the Mediterranean Revival style, peaked in the 1920s and was one of the first architectural styles to enter the area. Its most notable feature is its low-pitched red tile or terracotta barrel tile roof that perfectly complements its arched windows, scrolled or curved parapets, wrought iron railings and grills, and textured stucco walls. Instead of the typical front porch, Mediterranean Revival homes feature balconies, courtyards, and patios.

 Miami Modern

Also known as MiMo, the Miami Modern style gained popularity in the 1950s as a variation of the Streamline Moderne and Art Deco styles. It is most popularly associated with the famous Fontainebleau Hotel and its equally famous designer, Lapidus. Characteristic features of the MiMo style include indoor and outdoor geometric shapes, glamorous interior motifs like mosaic murals and round beds, and a rich color palette featuring bright teal, burnt orange, and other deep hues.

 Bungalow

The bungalow style is standard in Miami Beach’s residential areas. Gaining momentum in the early 1900s, particularly between 1910 and 1930, it is one of the initial styles in the area. Typically, homes in this style are one or one-and-a-half-story buildings with long limestone chimneys and deep porches with railing walls. Bungalows are often simply constructed and wood-framed with overhang eaves and attic vents for extra shade and ventilation.  

 Streamline Moderne

The Stripped Classic, Streamline Moderne, or Depressed Moderne is the second phase of the Art Deco movement. It gained popularity in the 1920s and was less decorative than the initial phase. Initially reserved for government buildings, the Streamline Moderne style is characterized by artsy and geometrical shapes and profiles like automobile depictions.    

 Explore Miami Beach Homes with the Julian Johnston Team

The Miami Beach real estate market is synonymous with variety and luxurious coastal living. Whether you need help finding the perfect home, negotiating a deal, or just navigating the ins and outs of how to buy a house in Miami Beach, contact the Julian Johnston Team. Miami Beach is a hot, competitive market; you shouldn’t have to navigate it alone. Call today to schedule a consultation with an expert.