Get To Know Coral Gables
Coral Gables is a hub for retail businesses, with a mix of national and local shops, including the famous Miracle Mile, a downtown shopping district famous for its bridal boutiques. The Village of Merrick Park offers a mix of shopping, residential, and office spaces and is anchored by luxury retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, as well as several other high-end brands like Tiffany & Co., Gucci, and Burberry.
The city's hospitality industry caters to the upscale leisure and business traveler, with a diverse selection of over 100 cafes and restaurants. Coral Gables is also rich in culture, with a museum and art cinema on Aragon Avenue, multiple live theaters, fine art galleries, and the Lowe Art Museum located on the University of Miami campus. The university also provides the community with access to cultural events and lectures. The city also supports cultural activities through grants and its Public Art program, and hosts events such as the Tropical Baroque Festival, Beaux Art Festival, and a Farmers Market each spring.
Education & Outdoors
UM is a highly regarded research institution, placing 50th in the U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" ranking. It is led by President Julio Frenk. The Kellogg School of Management Executive MBA Program at Northwestern University is also located in the city. The lower schools in Coral Gables boast strong academic programs and international offerings, such as the international baccalaureate program at Coral Gables Senior High and Gulliver Preparatory School. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The International Studies Preparatory Academy is the first international public-private partnership in the country, involving Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the City of Coral Gables, and the Spanish, Italian, and French education ministries.
For sports fans, UM offers exciting college sports events, such as Hurricane football, baseball, and basketball games. The city is also home to 22 parks, 7 active playgrounds, 33 public tennis courts, 2 public and 2 private golf courses, and various outdoor recreational activities, including hiking and bike paths, Matheson Hammock Park and Marina, and the Venetian Pool, which was listed by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the world's coolest pools.
Economy
Coral Gables boasts a thriving economy with a high concentration of employment opportunities. Its workforce roughly equals the population of the city, making it a significant contributor to the local job market. The presence of both local and international businesses sets Coral Gables apart from other parts of Florida, which are often more susceptible to seasonal changes in the economy. This stability is due to the city's advantageous location near Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami, and downtown Miami, as well as its reputation as a desirable place for executive housing. The city's commercial areas, such as Grand Avenue and the Metrorail, are easily accessible by the vintage trolley system. The strong presence of banking, investment, healthcare, and professional services, as well as being home to international companies like Bacardi and Del Monte Fresh Produce, further solidifies Coral Gables' position as a thriving business hub. The University of Miami, the city's largest employer, adds to the diverse range of employment opportunities available in Coral Gables.
History
The Merrick family, headed by Reverend Solomon Greasley Merrick and his wife Althea Fink, moved from Duxbury, Massachusetts to the Miami area in 1899 due to the harsh winter that took the life of one of their twin daughters. With their life savings, they bought 160 acres of land west of Coconut Grove, sight unseen, for $1,100. Upon arrival, they found mostly uncleared land with only scattered guava trees and a wooden cabin, but with the help of Bahamian workers and their own hard work, they cleared the land and planted grapefruit and avocado trees.
In 1906, the groves started producing fruit, and the family was able to ship the first carload of grapefruit to the northern market. Prosperity allowed them to construct a coral rock addition to their cottage, designed by Althea and adapted from New England-style homes to fit the South Florida environment, which they named "Coral Gables."
George Merrick, the family's eldest son, went to Rollins College and New York Law School, but had to return home and help manage the plantation when his father fell ill. After his father's death in 1911, George took charge of the family and the business, and by 1920, had expanded their land holdings to 1,600 acres.
With the help of architects, artists, and engineers, George mapped out the city of Coral Gables on paper in 1921 and started selling the first lots. When his original $500,000 ran out, he sought financing but was turned down by banks. He eventually secured financing from an old college friend, Jack Baldwin, and the Coral Gables Corporation was created in 1925. By the time the city was incorporated in April of that year, building permits had exceeded $25 million, and the assessed valuation was over $90 million.
George's success in developing Coral Gables was due to the team of experts he brought together, including his uncle Denman Fink who served as Art Director for the Coral Gables Corporation and was involved in the city's design and plan, including landmarks such as Venetian Pool and City Hall. Architect Phineas Paist, who studied in Pennsylvania and Europe, carried out Fink's designs, and landscape architect Frank Button designed the city's winding drives and tree-lined boulevards.