One of Coral Gables’ Most Mysterious Buildings Opened Its Doors for One Afternoon Only

The 1926 Chinese Village — a compound of eight homes unlike anything else in the United States — turns 100 this year. On May 3, a rare private tour opened its gates.

CORAL GABLES — If you’ve driven along Riviera Drive, you’ve probably slowed down to look. Behind a low stucco wall, a cluster of homes with curved ceramic roof tiles, latticed balconies, and the unmistakable silhouette of classical Chinese architecture sits tucked into one of Coral Gables’ quietest streets. They are the most photographed houses in Coral Gables.

This is the Chinese Village — eight homes built in 1926 and 1927 as a unified compound, commissioned by George Merrick and designed by Yale architect Henry Killam Murphy. It turns 100 this year. And on Sunday, May 3, for one afternoon only, its doors opened to the public.

The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) hosted a Champagne Soirée fundraiser titled “Two Anniversaries One Extraordinary Afternoon in the Chinese Village” to benefit historic preservation at a private residence, celebrating both the Village’s centennial and the organization’s own 35th anniversary. Tickets were limited — a number that reflected the intimacy of the occasion as much as the scale of the space.

The event featured a champagne reception, specialty bites by Atchana of Coconut Grove, floral arrangements by BELLE FLEUR and an exclusive tour of the home’s main floor, followed by a lecture by a very special guest of honor.

To kick-off the ceremony, an Official City of Coral Gables Proclamation recognizing “May 3 2026 as Chinese Village Day” was presented by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson along with former mayors The Honorables Dorothy Thomson and Don Slesnick.

A neighborhood fixture few have seen up close

Henry Killam Murphy came to the Chinese Village project with unusual credentials. He had spent years practicing architecture in China, where he developed what he called Adaptive Architecture — a method of blending the forms and proportions of classical Chinese design with contemporary materials and construction. The results in Coral Gables are striking: a walled compound of homes joined by shared walls, each with sweeping tiled roofs, ornamental details, and a sense of enclosure that feels more Beijing hutong than anything you would expect to find in the continental United States.

Only eight of the originally planned homes were ever completed. That they have survived intact for a century is something of a miracle.

The scholar who wrote the book on it

Leading the afternoon’s tour and lecture was Boyuan Zhang, AIA, a Senior Associate at Robert A. M. Stern Architects in New York and the foremost expert on Murphy’s work. Zhang holds graduate degrees from both Yale and Tsinghua University and is a Henry Killam Murphy Scholar — his published research on the Chinese Village is considered the definitive account of how and why this improbable corner of Coral Gables came to exist.

Boyuan Zhang, AIA

Henry Killam Murphy circa 1920s

A Who’s Who

The event guest list read as a “Who’s Who” of architects, preservationists, community leaders and dignitaries including former city mayors and present elected officials. Additionally, past and present HPACG Board Members attended, joining Mr. Michael Werner who served on the original 1991 Board of Directors. Mr Werner also lives in one of the eight homes in the Village. Some guests traveled from as far away as Palm Beach excitedly to celebrate such important milestones hosted at an exceptionally rare and intact example of this unique style anywhere in the United States. 

Showing off the proclamation with Mr. Zhang, HPACG president, Mr Dull, host and Mr Maxwell, Chair of Historic Preservation Board

Mr Werner was an original member of HPACG when founded in 1991

“I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for such a memorable and successful time in Coral Gables. It was a real pleasure to spend time with each of you and to be part of such a wonderful gathering. I feel very fortunate to have met you all.”   Boyuan Zhang, AIA, special guest speaker

Thank you all who supported this fundraiser. The Association successfully achieved hosting another unique event as part of its destination series. HAPPY 35th ANNIVERSARY to HPACG! See our new anniversary logo below.

HPACG board members Alba Biondi, Lisa Bennett, The Hon Dorothy Thomson, HPACG president Karelia, Boyuan Zhang and Herbert Brito.

Unveiling the 35th Anniversary Logo. The color jade is the respective color for this particular year. Happy Anniversay HPACG! Did you know? Jade has been a significant part of Chinese culture for over 7000 years

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Images by Vicki Cerda

About HPACG

Founded in 1991, the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables is a 501(c)3 nonprofit promoting the understanding and preservation of Coral Gables’ historic resources. historiccoralgables.org

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