By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board will meet Thursday, October 16 at 4 p.m. in City Hall’s Commission Chambers to consider five agenda items spanning new historic designations, architectural changes in protected districts and a rare request to expand a structure on a landmarked property.
Owner seeks landmark status and major alterations on University Drive
The most closely watched item on the agenda involves the property at 607 University Drive, where the homeowner is seeking both local historic designation and design approval for a series of additions, alterations, and sitework.
The board will review whether to recommend the home for protected status while also considering architectural changes that would typically follow designation—not precede it. The dual request allows for accelerated review but raises questions about sequence and precedent. Preservation advocates may express concern that design approval is being sought before historic safeguards are in place.
Lisbon Street home up for designation
Another home under consideration for historic status is located at 1506 Lisbon Street, in the heart of the Granada Section. The structure, built in the 1920s, is being evaluated for its architectural integrity and contribution to Coral Gables’ early residential development.
If approved, the designation would bring the property under the city’s preservation ordinance, requiring board approval for any future exterior changes or demolition. The Granada neighborhood has seen a steady increase in owner-driven designations, often as a way to protect homes from teardown pressures.
Landmarked Hammock Park Drive home seeks gazebo variance
A property already designated as a local landmark—located at 5005 Hammock Park Drive—is requesting permission to expand its backyard gazebo by 50 percent from the code-allowed 300 square feet to 450 square feet.
Because the home is landmarked, the request requires a Special Certificate of Appropriateness as well as a formal variance from the zoning code. The board will weigh whether the larger structure would compromise the architectural setting or create precedent for expanding accessory structures on protected properties.
The homeowner has submitted architectural plans and justification for the increase. The board’s discussion may hinge on whether the expansion is visible from the street and whether it maintains compatibility with the surrounding property.
Major additions proposed on Alcazar Avenue
Within the Alcazar Avenue Historic District, the home at 628 Alcazar Avenue is proposed for substantial additions and modifications, including changes to the residence, garage, and surrounding site. The project is supported by an updated addendum to the district’s designation report and a new site plan.
The board is expected to review whether the proposed work aligns with the historic character of the district, which is defined by Mediterranean Revival architecture and uniform setbacks. These types of additions often raise the question of how far adaptation can go before it alters the historic fabric of a district.
Porch enclosure proposed on Alcazar Avenue
Also in the Alcazar district, the property at 547 Alcazar Avenue is seeking approval to enclose its open front porch with impact-resistant windows and doors. While more modest than the 628 Alcazar proposal, the change still requires review because the home is a contributing structure within a designated district.
The board will evaluate whether the proposed enclosure maintains the façade’s proportions and materials or alters the appearance in a way that diminishes the historic context.
Hardee Road update
The board is also scheduled to hear an update regarding 1021 Hardee Road.
Meeting access and public participation
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. It will be livestreamed on Coral Gables TV Channel 77 and via Zoom (Meeting ID: 884 1382 7534). Those wishing to speak in person must sign in at the meeting. Virtual participants may raise their hand on Zoom or dial *9 when calling by phone. Only in-person comments may be entered into the official hearing record as sworn testimony.
