BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of Tropical Deco
Chapter 2
The dark ages and the threat of the bulldozer
Chapter 3
The pastel revolution of Barbara and Leonard
Chapter 4
Pop culture to the rescue
Chapter 5
How to read a South Beach building
YOUR GOAL
Master of South Beach Art Deco
Ch 4 · Pop culture to the rescue
andy South Beach Art Deco
Pastel pink and ocean blue (oh-oh-oh!) / Miami Vice saved the view! (yeah, yeah!)
andy Gianni Versace's decision to buy and restore a South Beach mansion cemented the area's status as a luxury hotspot.
andy High-fashion photographers and models flocked to South Beach, turning the pastel streets into an outdoor runway.
Fun Fact
Miami Vice paint: The producers of the TV show Miami Vice actually paid to paint several South Beach buildings in brighter pastel shades to make them look better on screen.
Glossary
miami vice (noun)
A popular 1980s American television crime drama set in Miami, Florida. The 1984 premiere popularized South Beach’s pastel buildings, sparking a major wave of architectural preservation.
A popular 1980s American television crime drama set in Miami, Florida. The 1984 premiere popularized South Beach’s pastel buildings, sparking a major wave of architectural preservation.
Quiz
What was the primary economic benefit of preserving the South Beach Art Deco district?
Quiz
What was the name of the historic 1930 mansion purchased by Gianni Versace on Ocean Drive?
Quiz
Which famous photographer helped popularize South Beach by using its pastel buildings as backdrops for major fashion shoots?
Quiz
What did the producers of Miami Vice do to some South Beach buildings before filming them?
Quiz
In which decade did South Beach transition from a run-down retirement area into a global fashion and nightlife hub?
Quiz
Approximately how much money did Gianni Versace spend to restore and expand his South Beach mansion?