NORMANDY ISLES HISTORIC DISTRICT

Henri Levy’s Normandy Beach Properties Corporation began development of the Normandy Isles in 1926, prior to that year’s real estate bust. The site comprised 450 acres on two natural mangrove islands in Biscayne Bay. The French-themed subdivision was designed to honor Levy’s homeland. It was an exception to the common grid plan that characterizes most of North Beach, and is a fine example of the City Beautiful movement. In the center of the district, Vendome Plaza forms a triangular area with the Vendome Fountain at its center. Built in 1926, the elaborate water feature is one of Miami Beach’s most important early works of civic art, and is commonly referred to as the Normandy Fountain. The apartment buildings that characterize much of the built environment of the district exemplify the Moderne and later Mid-Century Modern styles. Environmental adaptation and the need to distinguish buildings within a competitive market led to a daring and unexpected expression of modern architectural themes tailored to function in the hot and humid climate. The Normandy Isles Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.