Coversheet


		City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov


		Item 7 COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Land Use and Sustainability Committee

FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager

DATE: February 26, 2024

TITLE:

DISCUSS USE OF COLOR IN ART DECO ARCHITECTURE, INCLUDING THE COLOR PALETTE DEVELOPED BY LEONARD HOROWITZ; DISCUSS HOW TO ENCOURAGE PROPERTY OWNERS TO INCORPORATE COLOR IN EXTERIOR PAINT FOR ART DECO BUILDINGS; AND IDENTIFY A CITY BUILDING THAT COULD BE PAINTED IN A MANNER THAT HIGHLIGHTS ITS ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES (FOR EXAMPLE, BY USING THE LEONARD HOROWITZ PALETTE)

HISTORY:

On January 31, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, the City Commission referred the subject discussion (C4 G) to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (LUSC).

BACKGROUND
As noted in the attached referral memo, the item sponsor would like the LUSC to discuss the history of exterior paint colors in the Art Deco district, including the palette introduced by Leonard Horowitz in the early 1980s. Additionally, the sponsor would like to discuss strategies for encouraging property owners to incorporate color in exterior paint for Art Deco buildings and would like to identify a City-owned building that could be painted in a manner that highlights its architectural features.

In the early 1980s, New York designer Leonard Horowitz developed a color palette of approximately 40 colors as part of a plan in conjunction with Barbara Capitman to enliven the dated and worn Art Deco facades in Miami Beach. With the help of Ernest Martin, then the Director of the Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development, funding was provided to paint facades of the city’s Art Deco buildings in the Horowitz color pallet. This important rehabilitation program was fully funded and operated by the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation (MBCDC). By the end of the decade, more than fifty property owners agreed to have their facades painted in the Horowitz palette.

ANALYSIS:

The success of the 1980’s facade improvement project was due in large part to grant funding obtained by Miami-Dade County which allowed the MBCDC to paint the facades at no cost to the owner. While over the years, many property owners have chosen to forgo the multi-color pastel paint pallet, others have continued the more intricate painting schemes seen in the 1980’s and 1990’s. These include, among others, the Park Central, Imperial, Marlin, Crescent, and Cavalier hotels.

Given the dramatic shift in the economic conditions of the City since the 1980’s, a similar grant program may not be the most practical or feasible strategy to encourage owners to incorporate more elaborate façade paint schemes. Alternatively, educational, and promotional materials could be produced to highlight the history and benefits of the Leonard Horowitz color palette.

The City owns multiple buildings within historic districts, but only a small number are in the Art Deco or Streamline Moderne style, which is the most appropriate architectural style for the pastel color pallet. If the City decides to pursue a painting project in honor of the Leonard Horowitz color palette, the Administration suggests that the Colony Theater on Lincoln Road could be an appropriate option given its classic art deco architectural features. Note that funding for a potential project has not been identified, allocated or budgeted. Should the LUSC recommend, and the City Commission move forward, it is recommended that funding be considered as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget process.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration recommends that the Land Use and Sustainability Committee discuss the proposal and provide any applicable recommendations to the City Commission.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14?		Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
Yes		No

Departments

Planning

ATTACHMENTS:
	Description	Type
	REF C4G	Memo