Step into the world’s biggest collection of Art Deco buildings right here in Miami Beach! More than 800 stunning examples of Art Deco architecture line the streets of Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, each with its own personality—think bold geometric patterns, pastel colors, and those signature curved edges that return us to the glory of Miami in the 1920s and 1930s.
You’ll find all this architectural eye candy between 5th Street and 23rd Street, mainly along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue. As much as we love other areas in the Magic City, the Art Deco District is the one we find ourselves beelining to whenever we visit Miami—and need to exercise our camera’s shutter buttons.
Ready to experience this South Florida historic gem to its fullest? Plan the perfect sightseeing experience with this complete guide to Miami’s Art Deco District, including our favorite buildings, restaurants, bars, and hotels in the area…
What to see & do
Miami’s unique vibes come alive in the Art Deco Historic District. We love walking through this area, set in the heart of Miami Beach, to marvel at some of the world’s finest examples of the distinctive Art Deco architectural style. In fact, there’s a higher concentration of Art Deco buildings here than anywhere else in the world!
The buildings here hearken back to the 1920s and 1930s when the sleek Art Deco style hit its stride. With their distinctive geometric patterns, sweeping curves, decorative details, and over-the-top ornamentation, you can’t help but stop and stare.
Miami’s architects put their own unique spin on Art Deco design, too. They fused bright neon lighting with gorgeous tropical, pastel colors to create the district’s signature look.
And to think: We almost lost all this to bulldozers! Thank goodness for the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL). These local heroes fought hard to save these architectural treasures from demolition. In 1979, they succeeded in getting the district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
(And, as huge architecture buffs ourselves, we’re eternally grateful for that!)
Walk down Ocean Drive today, and you’ll still find these historic buildings buzzing with life. They’re home to trendy restaurants, beachfront bars, and some of our favorite hotels in Miami. Movie buffs might even recognize quite a few of them from films like Scarface and Bad Boys, or the classic Miami Vice TV series.
Of all our favorite things to do in Miami, one of our must-do recommendations is to wander around the district on a self-guided walking tour. Go for it, and keep your eye out for some of our favorite, must-see Art Deco buildings in the area…
Park Central Hotel
A 1937 beauty, Park Central Hotel is a masterpiece by Henry Hohauser, and it shows off some of the coolest Art Deco touches we’ve found in Miami Beach.
Look up to spot three porthole windows above the entrance. It’s a clever nod to the ocean-liner style that Art Deco architects loved. The striking blue horizontal band wraps around the building like a ribbon, while bold vertical lines shoot up toward the sky.
And those distinctive ‘eyebrows’ over the windows? They’re painted in soft pastel green. We think it creates a perfect contrast with the blue details.
At sunset, the Park Central Hotel comes alive as electric pink and blue neon lights transform it into a glowing piece of art.
Beacon South Beach Hotel
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Henry O. Nelson’s 1936 creation is a perfect lesson in classic Art Deco design. The Beacon South Beach Hotel follows the signature Art Deco “rule of three” tripartite design: a center section flanked by two wings.
But what we think makes the Beacon special is how Nelson played with shapes: strong vertical lines shoot upward, only to be interrupted by playful geometric patterns that catch your eye.
The real magic happens after dark when neon-blue lights trace the central column and highlight those gorgeous half-moon curves on each wing.
Don’t just admire it from the outside. Step into the lobby to see how they brought Ocean Drive’s Art Deco flair indoors with original terrazzo floors and period details.
Colony Hotel
If there’s one Art Deco building that screams 1930s Miami Beach, it’s the Colony Hotel. Built in 1939, this three-story gem might not be the biggest building on the block, but it’s one we found impossible to miss on our first trip to Miami!
The building’s star feature? The iconic neon marquee that spells out “COLONY” in bright neon blue letters against a crisp white façade. Look closer, and you’ll spot classic Art Deco touches everywhere, too, from the symmetrical curves framing the entrance to distinctive horizontal bands draping across the building’s facade.
Sure, we’ll admit: It’s not the luxury hotel it once was in the 1930s and 1940s. Still, the Colony is one of the most perfectly preserved examples of Miami Beach’s signature style—and one we can’t help snapping photos of again and again.
The Clevelander
Walk further up Ocean Drive to catch a glimpse of another architectural gem: The Clevelander. The hotel was designed by the well-known architect Albert Anis. Although the building dates back to 1938, a multimillion-dollar renovation breathed new life into the 60-room boutique hotel.
We love checking out the building from street level to admire its classic stepped rooflines and streamlined curves. The building’s façade plays with light and shadow through its signature ‘eyebrows’ and horizontal bands, creating that distinctive Art Deco layered look.
While the Clevelander sits firmly among the coolest Art Deco hotels in Miami, it’s even more famous for its nightlife options. Enjoy the sea views with cocktails in hand from the two rooftop decks and oceanfront patio bar, or party until the wee hours at the on-site nightclub.
The Marlin
Located at the corner of Collins Avenue and 12th Street, The Marlin is one of the finest examples of Art Deco we stumbled upon outside the Ocean Drive bubble. The boutique hotel, designed by L. Murray Dixon, has been fully renovated, fusing its 1939-era facade with high-tech modern amenities.
Check out the Marlin’s most distinctive exterior feature, its window “eyebrows,” painted in soothing pastel shades. The windows are at their most striking at night when the purple neon lights illuminate the window shades.
Before a recent renovation, the Marlin even had an on-site recording studio where famous artists like Bob Marley, Pharrell, and Beyonce laid down tracks! (The studio was removed to add nine extra rooms to the boutique hotel.)
When you’re done admiring the structure, venture northward to 1220 Collins Avenue for a luxury shopping spree at The Webster. Rising up three stories, the luxury boutique shop is the perfect spot to snag all the latest styles and designs from top international fashion brands all in one place.
The Carlyle
Made famous by films like Scarface, Bad Boys 2, and The Birdcage, The Carlyle is yet another Art Deco movement masterpiece to add to your self-guided walking tour.
The Carlyle was designed by Pittsburgh-based architects Kiehnel and Elliott, whose footprints you can find all over Florida. At first glance, you’ll notice its sparse white and seafoam green color scheme. The facade was purposely understated to contrast it with its flashier Ocean Drive neighbors, and it’s mostly stayed unchanged since 1941.
Today, The Carlyle has been transformed into a portfolio of luxury properties, including 19 private vacation rentals. If you’re lucky, you might be able to book yourself into one of the suites, allowing you to admire the building’s distinctive window and column eyebrows.
Either way, try to slip into the hotel to check out the original terrazzo floors in the lobby.
PRO TIP: If you decide to stay at the Carlyle’s vacation rentals, try to pick one of the back-facing units. Although they’ve installed soundproof windows, these back units will still be quieter than those facing Ocean Drive.
Where to eat & drink
The Art Deco District’s beautiful buildings aren’t just pretty faces; they also hide some of our favorite places to eat & drink in Miami Beach, whether it’s top-notch Italian restaurants or swanky rooftop bars.
If you’re craving a taste of Italy while exploring South Florida, duck into the Osteria Positano (1200 Collins Ave). Located at The Marlin on Collins Avenue, this popular Miami Beach restaurant cooks up Italian food favorites that we absolutely love, from fettuccine alla carbonara to pollo alla parmigiana. Pair your delectable Mediterranean meal with a selection from their extensive wine list.
Dig into classic Mexican cuisine with an Art Deco backdrop on Collins Avenue at the Naked Taco (1111 Collins Ave). Tuck into their signature chicharrones, featuring crispy pork belly and mango habanero, or the Florida-inspired crispy Key West shrimp tacos.
RELATED: Our Favorite Things to Do in Miami Beach
Want to experience Miami’s Cuban vibes without venturing to Little Havana? Saunter over to the Havana Vieja Cuban Restaurant Miami Beach, (944 Washington Ave) located at the Hotel Chelsea on Washington Avenue. We always love delighting in their Cuban food favorites like ropa vieja, pollo asado, and, of course, classic Cubano sandwiches.
Okay, so this isn’t in an Art Deco building. But we’d be remiss not to warn you not to miss the opportunity to dabble in high-end Mediterranean cuisine on Ocean Drive at the Versace Mansion (1116 Ocean Dr). This Italian restaurant is housed in the former mansion of fashion designer Gianni Versace. Its stunning Mediterranean Revival style, modeled after an Italian palace, is among our favorites to spot in Miami Beach.
One of our favorite things to do in South Beach is to get a primer on Miami Beach’s legendary nightlife by sipping craft cocktails with the ocean breeze blowing in your hair at the open-air patios of The Clevelander Bar (1020 Ocean Dr #1). Or enjoy handcrafted cocktails to live entertainment in the breezy courtyard of Sola Miami Beach (1000 Collins Ave).
End your Art Deco Miami itinerary at the Voodoo Lounge (928 Ocean Dr), a fun-filled tiki bar and rooftop hookah lounge.
Where to stay
Lennox Miami Beach
We love the mash of Art Deco style and Spanish colonial design at the Lennox Miami Beach. Aside from the relaxing modern rooms, we’re big fans of the beautiful courtyard terrace and pool area. You’ll also find a fitness center here to sweat out all the mojitos!
Hotel Victor South Beach
Occupying a 1937 Art Deco building designed by L. Murray Dixon, Hotel Victor South Beach is one of the area’s most popular boutique hotels. A recent renovation has left the 91-room hotel brimming with luxurious finishes and modern amenities. For the ultimate in Miami Beach relaxation, we’d recommend booking yourself in to get pampered at Spa V, the hotel’s 6,000-square-foot European-style spa.
The Setai, Miami Beach
For the ultimate in luxury in the Art Deco District, book a night at The Setai, Miami Beach. Located directly on the beachfront, this 5-star hotel fuses Henry Houhauser’s original 1936 landmark Art Deco design with Asian motifs for a feel like none other in South Beach. Cool down in the hot Florida sun at the three outdoor pools, enjoy a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, or relax at the luxurious on-site spa.
