Miami Beach Offers ~ A look at the rise and fall, and rise again, of this resort community.

Chances are you won't see an undercover Don Johnson running around cracking international drug rings, but since the '80s Miami Beach has become as chic as some of the star-studded spots in Malibu or Manhattan. Drawn by its beach-fringed shores, bustling nightlife, international flavor, and artistic flair, the Miami Vice locale has successfully shaken some of its past stigmas as a crime center and a retirement zone. The Miami Beach of the '90s is a hub for the film industry and its biggest stars; houses more than 35 modeling agencies; and has become a prime vacation spot for travelers, young and old.

To appreciate Miami Beach's revival, it's important to take a look at its history. This barrier island--surrounded by the Biscayne Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other--was once a coconut plantation. In 1909, John S. Collins, known as the Father of Miami Beach, set sights on the failing plantation, bought out the property, and helped build it into a beachfront town.

The area hit its heyday between the '20s and '50s. The liquor flowed freely, even during Prohibition, and it also became known as a gambling center. The decadent lifestyle attracted the likes of Al Capone, who had an estate on Palm Island, one of the private islands around Miami Beach. In the 1930s, Miami Beach's famed Art Deco buildings were constructed. But during World War II, the city became more of a military base. The Cuban influx in the '50s pumped life back into the area, but the "freedom flights" from Cuba in 1965, which brought 100,000 Cubans to Miami's shores, also caused tension primarily with the black community, leading to riots and racial violence.

In the '70s, parts of Miami Beach also became a veritable retirement center, especially among the country's Jewish community. But by the early '80s, other portions, including the Art Deco District, turned into slum areas, as Miami Beach became a main port for drug smuggling. The turnaround came in the mid- to late '80s, which some attribute to Miami Beach's portrayal on the TV show Miami Vice as an affluent, sexy spot. Interest in the area was rekindled. The Art Deco District, including the hotels and apartments between Dade Boulevard and 6th Street, from the Atlantic to Lenox Court, were renovated and painted in pastel pinks, greens, lavenders, and turquoise. Soon, pop stars like Gloria Estefan, Madonna, and Sylvester Stallone were buying homes in the area.

SoBe

The most crowded sections of Miami Beach are in South Beach, known as "America's Riviera," roughly between 5th Street and 21st Street. But the 10-mile beach is wide enough that sunbathers can catch the rays in comfort. South Beach, or SoBe, has also become one of the most diverse communities in the country, with Cubans, Hasidic Jews, Europeans, and South Americans all mingling together. There is a promenade that runs roughly along the main South Beach strip that draws all kinds of activity such as in-line skating, bicycling, and just going for a stroll.

Aside from the warm waters, the central attraction in South Beach is the Art Deco Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes about 800 buildings in Moderne, Streamline, and Mediterranean Revival styles. The Art Deco Welcome Center, at 1001 Ocean Drive (305-531-3484), offers tours of the district, including the hotels, city hall, and other major buildings. Guides explain what makes each an Art Deco design and give the history behind the structures. The famed Gianni Versace residence, Casa Casaurina, with its Mediterranean Revival opulence, is also part of th e tour.

Visitors can also take a cassette walking tour or check to see whether there is a scheduled bicycle tour, which usually is available once a month in certain seasons. All guides are trained and certified by the Miami Design Preservation League. The league, a nonprofit organization, is also host each year to Art Deco Weekend, which falls this coming year on January 14 to 16, 2000. "The idea is to educate the public on the Art Deco movement and its influence on fashion, automobiles, buildings, etc.," said Tanya Caspar, past coordinator for Art Deco Weekend.

Artists and shoppers alike flock to the recently refurbished Lincoln Road Shopping District, a pedestrian expanse between 16th and 17th, starting at Washington Avenue and running to Alton Road. Here, local artwork is exhibited in the galleries and boutiques. The strip is also a social center, with its abundance of cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs. There is a relatively new outlet for local artists to display their works--the Wolfsonian Museum, which houses a collection of more than 70,000 pieces. The Bass Museum is also known for its works of art, including a renowned tapestry collection.

While most tourists stay at South Beach, many family vacationers head further north, near the cities of Surfside, Bal Harbour, and Sunny Isles. Attractions include upscale shopping in Bal Harbour, and fishing, boating, and other water-sports opportunities in the Sunny Isles. Check the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Web page for accommodation information.

Considering Miami's boom in popularity, it is best to book well in advance for flights and accommodations. But a sojourn to Miami Beach is worth the crowds, as it has become a historical and cultural experience combined with a great beach getaway.

More Miami Beach Community Articles

Source: Denver Post