Once upon a time the prevailing and most desirable architectural style of Miami Beach’s single family residences had a Mediterranean Revival flair. Those of us Realtors who had taken the time to learn our City’s History knew the provenance of the architecture of our homes and the added value they offered.
A home designed by a known, respected architect withstood the test of time and basked in the glory of its architecture. Our ability to present the architectural features and history of a home enhances its allure and elevates its status.
Every home has a story. When the house finally chooses its next buyer, that buyer will want to know everything about his chosen house. Being able to tell them the story is as integral a part of a Realtor’s job.
Carlos Schoeppl – Miami Beach Architecture Icon
One highly respected Miami Beach architect is Carlos B. Schoeppl (1898-1990). Our hearts skip a beat when we find a house was designed by Schoeppl. He is responsible for designing some of the City’s most beautiful homes. Born in Texas, he studied architecture at UCLA. The story goes that he had a grand outgoing personality (almost a pre-requisite for a Miami Beach resident!). He had an interest in aviation and was friends with Howard Hughes and Eddie Rickenbacker. Before coming to Miami Beach in 1933 he lived and worked in Jacksonville.
Schoeppl was chosen by my many wealthy clients to design their luxurious Mediterranean Revival Style homes built along Florida’s “Gold Coast.” Schoeppl had a long career and by 1955 he had established Schoeppl and Associates with offices in Miami, New York, Dallas and Los Angeles. The firm also designed hotels and motor lodges embracing the Mid-century modern MIMO architectural style of the 50s. Schoeppl continued working well into the 80’s.
Many of Carlos Schoeppl designed homes were built along the ocean, though in Miami Beach, these have been replaced by high rise buildings. However throughout Miami Beach and along the bay front many of his homes still exist.
5030 North Bay Rd & 4949 Pinetree Drive
Samples of his luxurious Mediterranean Revival waterfront homes that still exist are 5030 N Bay Road, originally built in 1937 for the Bohn family of Detroit of Bohn Bronze & Brass fortune. He also designed 4949 Pine Tree Dr., in 1937 for the Kresge family, who started the five-and-ten-cent discount stores, in 1977 the Kresge family chains of stores were renamed Kmart. To this day these are still considered Miami Beach’s trophy Estates, they are as spectacular today as they were when they were built! Both of these homes have been gloriously and meticulously restored with no expenses spared by their owners, demonstrating that an architectural masterpiece will always hold its place in history.
4949 Pine Tree Dr | Miami Beach
5030 N Bay Rd | Miami Beach
Features of a Schoeppl Home
Some of the beautiful features I have found in Schoeppl’s design, is the fluidity of the homes floor plan – he had amazing use of space. Some of his one-story homes flow from room to room feeling much larger than they are because hallways were not incorporated into their floor plan, allotting the space to provide spacious rooms. Schoeppl also adorned the entrance doors of his vernacular architecture with some unique statement features. I have seen a series of stationary glass panels, surrounding tight twist rope wood colonettes, crowned by an arched transom window allowing light and maybe even at one time the cross ventilation necessary in the years before air conditioning. His larger homes have more ornate sculptural reliefs surrounding the front door, some are carved out of coral stone which is known as Florida’s native stone. He also incorporated colored designed tile patterns by fireplaces, which exist in every Schoeppl home I have ever visited, as well as brain coral floors, terraces, beamed ceilings, elaborate ironwork, grand entrances with the recurring focal center fountain feature. His well thought-out home designs remain undeniably stylish and classic to this day.
Esther Percal Team Schoeppl Collection
We are lucky to currently have 3 beautiful homes listed for sale that were designed by Carlos Schoeppl.
5410 N Bay Road | Miami Beach
5410 North Bay Road– a waterfront jewel with the sought after direct wide-bay city/skyline view. With total reverence towards its original architectural detail, this home has been restored and totally updated basking in its full glory. Maintaining the home’s perfect symmetry, arched windows, courtyard entry surrounding the multi-tiered focal point fountain, with coffered and wood beamed ceilings, and an outdoor fireplace. The home is poised in a slight angle to perfectly capture the view. This Carlos Schoeppl gem continues to shine bright! 5410 N Bay is ready, willing, and able to captivate its lucky next owner to move right in and enjoy old-fashioned romance with all the modern pleasures. Asking Price $13,999,000.00
3681 Flamingo Drive | Miami Beach
3681 Flamingo Drive-a waterfront compound with architectural details galore that was originally built in 1936. It has been updated and improved upon with approximately 8,000 s/f of living area, assuring abundant space for a large family. Other features include a separate one-bedroom guest house, 3 car garage, carports, walk in closets, media room (non-existent back in 1936!) plus many other modern conveniences. The classic characteristics of this home’s original architecture have been preserved to include the long elegant pebbled driveway ending in a rotunda surrounding a statuesque fountain, with the signature brain coral extinct floors found throughout the entertaining areas.
Asking price $8,950,000. Also available for rent at $29,000/mo
3144 Royal Palm Ave | Miami Beach
3144 Royal Palm Avenue–From the moment we walked into this house we knew its architecture was significant. The building card for this home showed its architect and owner to be Carlos B Schoeppl, the home was built in 1936. Did Schoeppl live here? Did he also build spec homes? Maybe one day we will find out the full story. What we do know is that the house has the beautiful wood beam ceilings, entry way twisted pattern wood door moldings, fireplace, gorgeous cathedral and volume ceilings throughout, and an updated kitchen that flows flawlessly into the dining area. Though this was one of Schoeppl’s more quaint projects at 1,987 s/f of interior living area, the home is still a testament to his signature style of a spacious, flow-through layout.
Asking Price $1,100,000
