Kent Hotel

Current/Common name: Kent Hotel

Construction date: documented 1939*

Architect: L. Murray Dixon

Builder: Prufert-Wien Construction Company

Style: Collins avenue hotel, Art Deco . R. A. Belsham, engineer Asymmetrical facade design; Continuous eyebrows rounded at corners wrap around southwest corner of the building at first, second and third floor levels; Rounded eyebrow above primary entryway; "Kent" neon signage directly above primary entryway; Additional "Kent" neon signage on narrow vertical element that rises significantly above the roofline (mass additionally is ornamented with horizontal banding at the top and a stepped top); Highly ornate use of terrazzo flooring in several different multi-colored designs both inside and outside; Coral rock veneer; Porthole cut-out ornamentation on the southern end of the west elevation; Horizontal banding above first floor level, just below third floor level windows and at cornice; Slightly stepped ziggurat parapet roofline.

Open to the public: Yes. 

Historical Summary

R. A. Belsham, engineer

Historic Designation: National (Miami Beach Architectural District, 1979) ; Local (Ocean Drive/Collins Avenue District, 1986)

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Architectural Description

This is a 3-story domestic: Hotel building in the Art Deco style built in 1939. The foundation is spread footing. Exterior walls are oolitic limestone (primary) and stucco (secondary). The building has a flat with parapet roof. Windows are replacement aluminum fixed. There is a half-span open patio. Porch extends out from the building across the western end of the south elevation; Access to porch either from the street at the southern tip of the porch or through the lobby; Terrazzo floor design; Small portion is shaded by an eyebrow above the first floor level of the hotel; Low wall of painted Roman brick supports the elevated porch; Simple metal railing. Primary entryway is fairly centered on the west elevation up two low steps from the ground level; Decorative metal railing leads up the steps to the doorway; Glass double door flanked on either side and the top by fixed window; Primary entryway is framed by yellow oolitic limestone veneer. R. A. Belsham, engineer Asymmetrical facade design; Continuous eyebrows rounded at corners wrap around southwest corner of the building at first, second and third floor levels; Rounded eyebrow above primary entryway; "Kent" neon signage directly above primary entryway; Additional "Kent" neon signage on narrow vertical element that rises significantly above the roofline (mass additionally is ornamented with horizontal banding at the top and a stepped top); Highly ornate use of terrazzo flooring in several different multi-colored designs both inside and outside; Coral rock veneer; Porthole cut-out ornamentation on the southern end of the west elevation; Horizontal banding above first floor level, just below third floor level windows and at cornice; Slightly stepped ziggurat parapet roofline. The builder is recorded as Prufert-Wien Construction Company. The architect is recorded as L. Murray Dixon. The original/significant owner is recorded as April Realty Company (original).

* Date source: Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser

Description generated by RuskinARC^™.