Colony Hotel, Art Deco hotel on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida.
The Colony Hotel stands at 736 Ocean Drive as a symmetrical Art Deco structure designed by architect Henry Hohauser and completed in 1935, featuring streamlined geometric forms, horizontal banding, rounded corner eyebrows, and a stepped ziggurat parapet roofline characteristic of the period.
Constructed in 1935 during Miami Beach's recovery from the 1926 hurricane, the hotel was developed as a modern accommodation for middle-class tourists and featured progressive amenities including private bathrooms, telephones, radios, and fireproof concrete and steel construction ensuring safety and durability.
The hotel helped define South Beach's identity as a leisure destination and remains a symbol of Miami Beach's Art Deco legacy, frequently appearing in postcards and photographs that showcase Ocean Drive's neon-lit nighttime scene and its vibrant blend of glamour, history, and architectural style.
The hotel is located in the heart of the Miami Beach Architectural District on Ocean Drive, providing easy access to nearby restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and guided architectural tours through the Miami Design Preservation League offer detailed insights into its design features and historical significance.
The hotel's inverted T-shaped neon sign prominently displays the Colony name and casts a blue glow at night, while interior details include a Vitrolite fireplace mural by artist Paul Simone inspired by Diego Rivera and a geometric wave pattern painted below the roofline.
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