By Coral Gables Gazette staff

A century-old Mediterranean-style structure once used to launch gondola tours from the Biltmore Hotel may soon be relocated—if the state allows it.

At its Sept. 25 meeting, the Coral Gables City Commission unanimously approved a motion to move forward with a detailed letter to Florida state leaders requesting flexibility on the location of the long-planned reconstruction of the historic Gondola Building. The letter, to be signed by all five commissioners, aims to explain the city’s reasoning for preferring a more accessible site for the $2 million project.

Commissioners also affirmed their commitment to the project’s completion—regardless of whether the state grants their request.

A historically accurate replica, or a building people can actually use?

Commissioners heard testimony from Historic Preservation Board Vice Chair Alejandro Silva, who urged the city to adhere to the original location approved by the board in December 2024. “The most authentic, correct, and viable solution was for the gondola building to remain in its current and original location,” he said. Quoting the Secretary of the Interior’s standards, Silva added, “Changes that create a false sense of historical development shall not be undertaken.”

Silva acknowledged that construction at the original site might require a temporary asphalt path and off-hours deliveries, but argued those challenges were minor compared to the benefit of maintaining historical accuracy. “Overcoming them will result in a building that is cited in its original historically accurate site for another hundred years,” he said.

Public Works Director Hermes Diaz summarized the administration’s case for relocating the building. “First of all, it’s going to be more accessible… from Bird Road,” he said. He also cited improved safety, reduced disruption to golf course operations, and support from the Biltmore Hotel. “That location has been accepted by the grantor and the Florida… the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources.”

Still, the relocation hinges on state flexibility.

“The state required it to be adjacent to water,” City Manager Peter Iglesias said. “But that would certainly… we completely agree that would be our preferred site,” referring to a more publicly accessible location near the Biltmore Tennis Center. “It’s hard to appreciate what you don’t see.”

A call for collective outreach

Mayor Vince Lago proposed the letter, stating, “I’m willing to write a letter with… my colleagues in the commission signing it saying if we’re going to move it, we should move it to something that… will get more use.”

Commissioner Ariel Fernandez backed the effort, saying, “Why don’t we all sign the letter?… show a sign of unity that we are behind this as a commission.” He described the proposed location near the tennis center as “safe, accessible, [and] not contingent on storms.”

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson cited personal experience with the site. “No one saw the gondola building. No one got the experience of [the] gondola building,” she said. She also recalled a safety incident: “Mr. Brett Gillis was with me… he got hit in the head… and it was severe and he had to go to the hospital.” The final blow, she added, came from a maintenance tractor that backed into the structure.

Anderson voiced support for relocating it further east along the waterway. “I will take the blame… because I was so concerned about life safety.”

Commissioner Richard Lara also supported the outreach: “We should relocate it to a place that makes the most sense so that we can provide the most accessibility, safety, and enjoyment… of this beautiful structure.”

The letter, according to Lago, will include maps, photographs, references to sea level rise, and safety incidents—“talking about… prior accidents,” he said. “We’re going to put this together in the next week or so, two weeks… and hopefully we get a response.”

Work could begin early next year

Commissioners emphasized urgency. “We’ve got to move forward with this,” Lago said. “We’ve got to rebuild this because it’s an eyesore in the city.”

Iglesias confirmed that the design had been adapted to allow for flexibility. “We’ve done it in such a way that the building can go anywhere. It’s a site plan issue.” He estimated that construction could begin as soon as “January, February.”

The resolution passed 5–0 following a motion by Anderson and a second by Fernandez.

Historic preservation, politics, and long memories

Public comments revealed lingering frustrations. Resident Maria Cruz criticized what she called “demolition by neglect,” saying, “We let it go this way so we could justify moving it.”

Lago responded forcefully. “To say that anyone on this commission or a previous commission allowed this building to deteriorate to move the building, it’s absolutely ridiculous and shameful,” he said. “We went to Tallahassee and we almost got a million dollars in appropriations.”

He listed preservation efforts across the city: the George Fink Studio, the Venetian Pool, City Hall, the water tower, the Miracle Theater, the Merrick House, and more. “Historic preservation is part of our DNA,” he said.