Miami Design Preservation League

Search For New MDPL Executive Director Underway

AmandaB — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:50:59 +0000

Imagine leading one of the nation’s most respected historic preservation organizations…a group founded to preserve one of America’s greatest 20th Century historic districts and thriving in its mission to preserve, protect and promote one of the country’s most fabulous cities.

A nation-wide search has begun for a new Executive Director of MDPL. It’s an opportunity for the right person who has a combination of executive experience, a background in historic preservation and the know-how to run a high profile non-profit organization. The future of MDPL is filled with many exciting projects including a new museum on Ocean Drive, cutting-edge educational projects and important public policy initiatives.

If you or someone you know might fit the bill, a resume and salary requirements should be sent to HR@mdpl.org

MiMo and Beyond: How architecture in Miami today has been influenced by the architects of yesterday

AmandaB — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:24:25 +0000

Miami Design Preservation League

Lecture by Robin Hill

February 21st at 7pm

Art Deco Welcome Center

As part of the MDPL Lecture Series, noted photographer Robin Hill will speak about photographing Miami architecture and the inspiration for his recently published book on Miami architecture MiMo and Beyond: How architecture in Miami today has been influenced by the architects of yesterday.

Hill was recently voted Architectural Photographer of the year by the American Institute of Architects Miami Chapter. His photographs have been included in many books about Miami architecture including MiMo: Miami Modern Revealed and the Miami Architecture Guide. In 2009, he exhibited his photos of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Florida Southern College at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Bilbao.

Originally from Nottingham, England, Mr. Hill has lived in Miami since 1992 and chronicled many of its changes in that time. His work has appeared in many of the world’s leading design publications including Architectural Record, Landscape Architecture Magazine and Elle Decor. You can see more of his photography at www.robinhill.net

His presentation will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 PM at the Art Deco Welcome Center, 1000 Ocean Drive. All are invited to attend and the admission is free.

MDPL’s Letter to the Miami Herald

AmandaB — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:26:58 +0000

Miami Design Preservation League

Read All About It: Letter to the Miami Herald

In response to an article that appeared in the Miami Herald, MDPL chair Charles Urstadt wrote a letter that was published on December 27th.

To the Editor:

The Dec. 26 story ”Future, Past collide over Miami Beach Apple store’s next move”

refers to the process of how appointments are made to Miami Beach’s Historic Preservation Board. A more detailed explanation might be helpful.

The city reserves two of the seven board seats for candidates to be selected by the City Commission from a pool of applicants recommended by the Miami DesignPreservation League and Dade Heritage Trust. Both groups are nonprofit, member-supported organizations dedicated to historic preservation. As such, we are a resource that the city calls on to provide candidates who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about preservation standards and laws. However, the City Commission has final say over every board appointment.

This system has worked well for many years, and there is no reason to change it. The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board has been nationally recognized for its record of balancing the rights and needs of property owners with the high preservation standards of the community.

The results speak for themselves: Thriving historic districts that are economic engines of Miami Beach draw visitors from around the world and provide a special quality of life for residents.

Charles Urstadt

Chairman

Miami Design Preservation League

Miami Beach

The letter can be found on-line here: “Preservation Process.”

Happy Holidays from MDPL

AmandaB — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:57:42 +0000

Miami Design Preservation League

Here is a great idea to put you in the spirit of the holiday season, join the Miami Beach Police Department and the Miami Beach community for the Annual Children’s Holiday Toy Giveaway.

Since 1982, the community and the Miami Beach Police Department have worked together to provide holiday gifts for the needy children of our City. This year, on Saturday, December 17, 2011, between 9 am and noon, approximately 500 children will receive holiday presents that they otherwise would not have received. A toy or monetary donation will assist in making this day a special one for some deserving children in our area.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to the Miami Beach Children’s Relief Fund. You may mail your donation to the Miami Beach Police Department located at: 1100 Washington Ave, Miami Beach Fl 33139 C/O Major Brian Sliman.

If you wish to donate a new unwrapped toy, you may do so by delivering the toy to the front desk of the Police Station. To donate a new unwrapped toy, bring it to the Front Desk of the Police Station.

The Board and Staff of MDPL wishes you the Happiest of Holidays and a wonderful 2012!

Visual Memoirs Project Takes Shape

AmandaB — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:41:04 +0000

Miami Design Preservation League

The Visual Memoirs Project, a new MDPL initiative, is underway. Already we have heard some great stories about the evolution of Miami Beach.

Five interviews have been completed and another four are scheduled in December. So far, topics covered include how Jim Crow laws impacted life on the beach; the emergence of the Latin music scene; what it was like to live here during World War II; childhood on Miami Beach in the 1950s; the seedy side of Miami Beach nightlife.

One tale of particular interest to preservationists involves regret over the loss of the Senator by one person who pushed for demolition at the time. These stories are important to capture now, before those who witnessed the early growth of Miami Beach are no longer around.

A sneak preview of the interviews will be on display during Art Deco Weekend on a continuous loop in the Art Deco Welcome Center.

The project is partly funded by the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. Funding has already been secured for the completion of 30 interviews and the accompanying editing. With additional funding 10 more interviews could be added to the program. A new campaign called Power 2 Give will soon be launched to start the fund-raising drive. More information will be available shortly on how you can support this project.

Click here to view the embedded video.