By Coral Gables Gazette staff
A controversial mixed-use development proposed for the site of one of Coral Gables’ most unique gardens returns to the city’s Board of Architects on Thursday, August 7, at 10:30 a.m., marking yet another appearance before the design review panel following multiple prior hearings.
The proposal by Century Homebuilders Group, titled Crystal, would replace Crystal Academy, St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Garden of Our Lord—a lush, tree-shaded biblical garden located at the corner of Phoenetia Avenue and East Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The site is considered one of only three biblical gardens in the United States. St. James sold the property in November 2021 for $9.75 million.
The developer’s plan calls for a 9-story Mediterranean Revival-style building containing 177 residential units, 16 live-work units, and 5,500 square feet of educational space for a relocated Crystal Academy. Designed by Coral Gables-based Corwil Architects, the building would rise just over 83 feet and include 340 internalized parking spaces and a rooftop amenities deck. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments would range from 825 to 1,249 square feet, while the duplex live-work units would span 1,468 square feet.
Opponents cite tree loss, incompatibility
Residents and preservation advocates have voiced opposition to the plan since the property’s sale. Chief among their concerns are the proposed removal of more than 100 mature trees—including a 200-year-old heritage oak—and the loss of green space in the North Gables area.
In a letter submitted to the Board of Architects, Coral Gables resident and designer Daniel Quintana urged outright denial of the project, citing “multiple substantive violations and community impacts,” including noncompliance with Coral Gables Building Code setback rules, environmental destruction, and incompatibility with neighborhood character.
“The project eliminates dozens of mature specimen trees, including 100-year-old oaks with Spanish moss,” Quintana wrote. “It fails to provide adequate public green space despite removing more than 100 trees.”
Tree removal in Coral Gables—particularly of heritage trees—is tightly regulated, requiring substantial justification, replacement, and mitigation. The removal of the 200-year-old oak has become a flashpoint for opposition.
Neighborhood compatibility has also drawn scrutiny. Located in the city’s historic Douglas Section, the proposed development would border the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club. Several residents, including Joseph Fadel, have criticized the project’s scale and its potential to disrupt the area’s traditional character.
The Garden of Our Lord—identified by its yellow wall and shaded by a thicket of palms and oaks—is viewed by many as both a spiritual and ecological landmark.
“This proposal fails to take into account context, density and compatibility,” Fadel wrote in his letter to the board. He also urged consideration of a pending land trade proposal—offering a city-owned parking lot on Almeria Avenue in exchange for preservation of the garden.
Design changes unclear ahead of latest hearing
It remains unclear how many revised iterations have been presented since the project’s last recorded appearance in October 2023, when it had already been before the board at least five times. Thursday’s meeting lists the item as “time sensitive” and is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room at 427 Biltmore Way.
In previous reviews, the Board of Architects has raised concerns about setbacks, massing, architectural consistency, and landscaping. According to documents submitted by residents, the proposed 25-foot and 15-foot setbacks may violate city code. Critics also argue that the proposed Mediterranean Revival design lacks authenticity and fails to meet Coral Gables’ stylistic standards.
“The design misrepresents ‘green’ elements while eliminating mature canopy trees,” Quintana wrote.
Others warn that replacing the biblical garden with a dense residential complex would degrade the area’s pedestrian scale and visual harmony.
The current zoning for the 1.47-acre site is Religious/Institutional. Redevelopment will require approvals from both the Board of Architects and the Development Review Committee. Century Homebuilders has stated it will assist Crystal Academy with relocation during construction, but critics say those assurances remain vague.
Garden’s future remains uncertain
The Garden of Our Lord—identified by its yellow wall and shaded by a thicket of palms and oaks—is viewed by many as both a spiritual and ecological landmark. The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board is reportedly still studying the site for potential designation as a historic district, a step that could complicate or halt the redevelopment.
Meanwhile, nearby residents and property owners are preparing to speak at Thursday’s hearing. The item is expected to draw significant public attention, as it has throughout the project’s long and contentious review process.
This Post Has 6 Comments
YOUR ATTENTION! Do not pave paradise.
PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS to Board of Architects BY 4PM WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT 110 PHOENETIA
This area is under a Commission-funded study and consideration for historic designation. The project will directly affect the preservation of
THE GARDEN OF OUR LORD
BOAR‐22‐08‐0326
110 PHOENETIA AVE
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Mixed use development.
#1. This project is not in harmony with the North Ponce neighborhood. The developer bought the parcel zoned as Institutional/Religious and seeks a variance to build its mixed-use development. This area is under a Commission-funded study and consideration for historic designation.
#2. The neighborhood is protected under the zoning code, Section 2-404 North Ponce Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay (NPCO). This code was passed to preserve and enhance the garden apartment character of the North Ponce residential neighborhood properties. George Merrick’s historic city plan refers to this area as the “Douglas Section.”
#3. The proposed project’s density will have an adverse impact on the historic landmarks surrounding the area specifically the nationally recognized Coral Gables Woman’s Club and the Douglas Entrance .
#4. The proposed project will directly affect the preservation of The Garden of Our Lord, deemed a cultural landscape by two nationally-recognized, prominent UM School of Architecture professors, and will displace the historic green canopy and heritage trees surrounding the property original to Merrick’s “garden city” planned neighborhood.
The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables opposes the project as presented and asks the Board of Architects to see the value of this petition.
Please preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of our city.
The email address to submit a letter to the Board of Architects is:
boardofarchitects@coralgables.com
Submit Your Letter:
Email:
Send your letter as a PDF attachment to boardofarchitects@coralgables.com
Time permitting either send or DROP OFF a hard copy of your letter to: City of Coral Gables, Development Services Department, Planning Division, 427 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 at 4 PM
The future residents of this complex should be aware that they would be living on top of what used to be a cemetery for Veterans of World War II! Would any of the readers move to a place where the grounds were desecrated in favor of development?? There were tombs, and niches that were opened to make way for greed.
No more development please!
Although I am not particularly religious, destroying ‘The Garden of The Lord’ to build new structures coincides with our society’s current decline of moral values where emphasis on money overrides spirituality. How about considering the possibility of a different architectural design that can avoid destroying a place that brings much needed comfort to area residents. Also there is the matter of the trees that will be eliminated. Let’s be clear, when the building company purchased the property they were very well aware of its zoning. Did they just think they could get the zoning changed then do whatever they wanted?
I have been a member of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club for 25 years. I am opposed to the development which is planned next door to our property as it is completely out of place in the neighborhood. East Ponce is very low rise and residential and to suddenly allow a 13 story building at 110 Phoenetia Avenue is out of prospective for the area. This is not Ponce de Leon Blvd. It is EAST Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Our club house celebrated 100 years in 2023. Our Centennial. Much of our income is from renting our historic building so we can maintain the building and support our Children’s Dental Clinic. With this development, our business will be affected by both construction dust and use of all our “free parking” surrounding our building. Not only that, but the Garden of the Lord will be destroyed. There are very old trees in the garden and some plants that are not replaceable. Living in Coral Gables, I have to obtain permits to remove trees, and only if they are diseased. Why is it a developer can come in and just destroy everything with no plan to replace it?
This project is too large and too dense for the neighborhood. It will be destroying “historic green space” which it does not have plans to replace.
The developer needs to go back to the drawing board and make this project fit in to the rest of the surrounding area, please.