A Year in Review Annual Meeting February 5, 2026
A Year in Review
Annual Meeting February 5, 2026
A delightful afternoon at House of CHIRAGAN
in CORAL GABLES
255 Altara Avenue
Where heritage and excellence come together.
Thank you to Mr. Ekrem Ozer
Chief Executive Officer
House of Chiragan, Coral Gables
for his kindness and wonderful hospitality.
2026 BOARD MEMBERS were presented.
Mr. Ekrem Ozer, Karelia, Art Kozyrovicius
LOOKING BACK… 2025
Each month HPACG is represented at the monthly City Commission and Historic Preservation Board Meetings. Personal or zoom appearances accompany letters [countless letters throughout the year] in support of historic preservation matters.
THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS & FRIENDS FOR
YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT.
A list of accomplishments:
1926 WHITE WAY LIGHTS –The restoration project is now complete.
February – Joined in the effort to successfully preserve [and or historically replicate] the remaining 1940s CG Golf Course rain shelters
April – Passing of HPACG VP Bruce Fitzgerald.
April – HPACG placed a full page ad in the special CENTENNIAL ISSUE CORAL GABLES NEWS.
May — Successfully appealed a determination by the city’s historic resources. 1930s William Shanklin-design at 2716 Cordova. A Minimal Traditional design.
June 3 – Founder’s Day Ceremony on George Merrick’s Birth Date at THE RESIDENCE OF June and Allen Morris. Spanish theme celebrating the city’s centennial. FOUR MAYORS [Past & Present] ATTENDED
June 26 – Listen & Learn presentation by HPACG members and window experts Dean and Paula Stanbridge at the Coral Gables Library about options in preserving the original City Hall Windows
July — Passing of HPACG former board member Dolly MacIntyre.
August — Unsuccessfully appealed a determination by the city’s historic resources. 1950s Tyrus Tripp design at 1005 S. Alhambra. Neoclassical on the waterway.
August/September – Merrick/UM Historical Marker Ceremony [PENDING]
On June 3, 1925 [Merrick’s 39th birthday], he donated 160 acres of land to create The University of Miami. UM solely exists because of George E. Merrick. He also committed to a $5 million [$90 million today] personal donation.
October – Tertulia #11, #12 Celebrating community leaders: Dr Josephine Johnson and her life-long legacy, and the new book by Chip Withers and The Honorable Bill Kerdyk
October — HPACG is a sponsor of the new “Gables-opoly” game in celebration of the Centennial
November – HPACG nominates Dr. Johnson for award. City Commission Officially Presents Certificate of Recognition to Dr. Johnson
Give Miami Day “Our Way” Thank you to all who participated!
December 7 – HPACG is a sponsor of the City’s “Grand Finale” Centennial Concert at the Venetian Pool
December End-of-year Appeal
Other ongoing past and present:
- Bringing attention to the city’s modern architectural styles including the Brutalist-style architecture of the former public safety building [recently repurposed by Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables];
- Publishing Coral Gables: The Moderns. A book that documents and highlights the architectural era between 1960-1980. The book includes about 20 modern and post-modern buildings in Coral Gables that have reached 50 years old (or will soon) which is the threshold for historical significance.
- Protecting Miracle Mile as a heritage site;
- Placing historical markers around the city;
- Supporting local landmark designations;
- Partnering with elected leaders to create the Landmarks Advisory Board;
- Helping to officially establish June 3rd as “Founder’s Day in Coral Gables.” The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Coral Gables Founder George E. Merrick;
- Writing numerous articles highlighting preservation topics;
- Being a voice for residents who support preservation in their neighborhoods especially supporting the preservation of The Garden of Our Lord since 2021;
- Educating on issues important to the community; Advocating to save The Garden of Our Lord.
- And many other projects such as facilitating the return of two original Arcadian streetlights to the front of the historic Coral Gables Country Club.
LOOKING AHEAD 2026
January 25 — Launch of new book by Carbonell & Fitzgerald “CORAL GABLES: The Moderns”
February 7 – Book to be promoted at CG Foundation 17th Annual Tour of Kitchens [TOK]
February 8 – Morris Lapidus Panel at CG Art Cinema
February 10 — THE GARDEN OF OUR LORD. The City Commission will hear an appeal by Ms. Bonnie Bolton. She is appealing the decision of the BOA Special Master Review.
February 14 – HPACG President will speak at Miami Pioneers event t Pincecrest Library
February 28 – HPACG President part of panel Open House Miami
March — A Royal Visit is in the works? Twenty-five years ago, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia, visited Coral Gables during the city’s 75th anniversary in honor of our city’s founder George Merrick’s “contribution to Spanish heritage.” Merrick, the visionary behind Coral Gables, used the phrase “Castles in Spain” to describe his ambitious plans for the city one hundred years ago.
March 26 – George Merrick died on March 26 1942. Buried at MIAMI Woodlawn Cemetery
April — George Giving Benefactor Event/HPACG 35th Anniversary
May – National Historic Preservation Month – Special Guest [Pending]
June 3 – Founder’s Day Merrick’s 140th Birth Anniversary.
Fall – “Discover Opa Locka” was enthusiastically approved by the board as the theme of a fund-raising event scheduled for some time in the new year during Opa-locka’s centennial. This would be a guided walking tour of Opa Locka, including lunch, for a fee. A shuttle-bus would be reserved to transport attendees to and from the Biltmore Hotel and Opa Locka.
More Tertulias are being planned
Continue to promote book by Carbonell & Fitzgerald “CORAL GABLES: The Moderns”
Celebrate Historical Plaque marking Merrick’s founding of UM
Preservation is not just about saving old buildings it is an important component in saving our planet.
NOT ONLY IS DEMOLITION BAD FOR PRESERVATION, DEMOLITION IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
According to a study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the benefits of re-using and renovating buildings outweigh the benefits of constructing new energy-efficient structures. To mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, this study found that “building re-use can avoid unnecessary carbon outlays and help communities achieve their near-term reduction goals.” Not to mention it contributes to landfills, the concrete not being recycled, and running out of sand used for glass and concrete production. Note: It is largely accepted that re-purposing older buildings is more environmentally friendly than demolishing and rebuilding because the amount of fuel burned in demolition is staggering.
ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDY BUT ALSO ECONOMICALLY-FRIENDLY
According to the American Institute of Architects, reusing structures reduces embodied carbon by 50-70%. And a 2016 study found that adaptive reuse projects cost less per square foot than new construction. “Preserving historical elements of existing structures and reducing our environmental impact is something we always strive for. Reduction of embodied carbon and any realized cost savings associated with these activities are a bonus.”
IN 2026 LET’S CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE—for preservation of our cultural patrimony and preservation of our planet
HOW?
(1) DUES. Join or Renew; paypal.com/us/
(2) DONATION. Any amount is appreciated.
Donors who contribute $250 or more will be recognized in the George Giving Society. All gifts are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor. paypal.com/us/
YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING. 100%
With your help…HPACG will continue to advance its mission of preservation—in our community and beyond.
Founded in 1991, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to promote the understanding and importance of historic resources and their preservation. Want to get to know us better? Please visit our website at www.historiccoralgables.org