We were told by our guide Gina that newly
constructed buildings were required by city ordinance to look different than
the old original designs. She also pointed out that some of those buildings
have what they call eyebrows above the windows. Next up we stopped in at The
Tides Hotel at 1220 Ocean Drive in which our guide stated that it
was the tallest building on Miami Beach when it was completed in 1936.
Gina did not know the number of floors which prompted me to ask one of
the staff members then confirm via the elevator that there are ten. This Nautical
Deco-style building features port holes on the outside and was remodeled in
around 2000, she said. It features a Keystone check in desk, was
nicknamed The Diva of Ocean Drive, and was popular with that other Diva
Marilyn Monroe. We were reminded that South Beach was inhabited by
mostly older Jewish women on fixed income back in the 1970's; my
high school days. It was during that time frame, in 1979, that Ms. Barbara
Baer Capitman founded the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), the
presenters of our walking tour and pioneers of restoration of South Beach.
We then encountered another signature South Florida flash rain storm
that blew over in a few moments.
In the 1980's Gina recalled the most prolific
influx of immigrants in modern times via the Mariel Boat Lift whereas
over 125,000 Cubans were allowed to call Miami home after
being given the green light by former President Jimmie Carter in April
of 1980. That feat unfortunately lead to a massive wave of crime in this
area at the hands of the criminals that were released amongst the law-abiding,
educated, and hardworking segments of Cuban society. In fact, I was told
by a family member that they would often come across dead bodies in the streets
of Miami from that new wave of criminal activity that floated over with
normal citizens. Our guide pointed out that the opening scene of Scarface
(partially filmed on South Beach, 1983) featured actual footage from that
dilemma of the refugees in the old Orange Bowl (now Marlins Stadium
site). The 1980's, recalled Gina, ushered in the now thriving
model's market here when European photographers' shot scenes for
clothing designer Calvin Klein's Obsession ad campaign. One of the most
memorable scenes featured nude models at the Breakwater Hotel; covered
earlier.
Gina then got into my absolute favorite segment
of our tour; the Miami Vice (1984 - 1990) phenomenon which, in my
opinion, sealed the deal in making Miami and Miami Beach one of
the coolest and sexiest places on earth. The series was shot at various scenic
area locations and one show included a short boat trip to the then off limits
island of Cuba. Well, I am not sure if it was in fact filmed there; I
will have to investigate. The series starred smartly-dressed undercover drug
detectives Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Phillip Michael
Thomas), and their no-holes-barred by the book stone faced Captain Castillo played
by Edward Olmos.
