Coral Gables, Florida

City of Coral Gables
—  City  —
Downtown Coral Gables

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): The City Beautiful, The Gables
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
U.S. Census Bureau map showing city limits
Coordinates:
Country  United States
State  Florida
County  Miami-Dade
Government
 - Mayor Don Slesnick
Area
 - City 37.2 sq mi (96.2 km2)
 - Land 24.1 sq mi (62.2 km2)
 - Water 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km2)
Elevation 10 ft (2.8 m)
Population (2005)
 - City 42,871
 - Density 3,216.9/sq mi (1,141.37/km2)
 - Metro 5,422,200
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s) 305
FIPS code 12-14250[1]
GNIS feature ID 0280801[2]
Website http://www.citybeautiful.net/

Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami.

The population was 42,249 at the 2000 census. According to U.S Census estimates in 2005, the city had a population of 42,871.[3]

Coral Gables is served by the Miami Metrorail at three stations: Douglas Road Station, University Station, and South Miami Station. Douglas Road Station directly serves the Village of Merrick Park and Coconut Grove, as well as Miracle Mile via the Coral Gables Trolley. University Station serves the University of Miami and the BankUnited Center, and the South Miami Station serves the Shops at Sunset Place and the surrounding South Miami neighborhood.

Contents

History

Further information: History of Miami, Florida

Coral Gables was one of the first planned communities, and prefigured the development of the gated community and the homeowners association. It is notorious for its aesthetic regulations. The city was developed by George Edgar Merrick during the Florida land boom of the 1920s. The city's architecture is almost entirely Mediterranean Revival Style. By 1926, the city covered 10,000 acres (40 km2), had netted $150 million in sales with over $100 million spent on development.[4]

Merrick designed the downtown commercial district to be only four blocks wide and more than two miles (3 km) long. The main artery bisected the business district. Merrick could boast that every business in Coral Gables was less than a two-block walk. The city used to have an old electric trolley system which was replaced by the popularity of modern automobiles, but now a new free circulator trolley system, initiated in November, 2003, runs down Ponce de León Boulevard.

In 1925, roughly simultaneous to the founding of Coral Gables, the city was selected as the home to the University of Miami, which was constructed that year on 240 acres (0.97 km2) of land just west of U.S. Route 1, approximately two miles south of downtown Coral Gables.

During World War II, the Pan America Airline leased its Coral Gables-based airport and hangar facilities with the US Navy. Many Navy pilots and mechanics were trained and housed in Coral Gables.

Geography

Coral Gables is located at ..[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 96.2 km2 (37.2 mi2). 34.0 km2 (13.1 mi2) of it is land and 62.2 km2 (24.0 mi2) of it (64.64%) is water.

Surrounding areas

Demographics

Alhambra Circle is Coral Gables' primary financial street with numerous high-rise office buildings.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 42,249 people, 16,793 households, and 10,243 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,242.4/km2 (3,216.9/mi2). There were 17,849 housing units at an average density of 524.9/km2 (1,359.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.83% White (47.7% were Non-Hispanic Whites,)[6] 3.30% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.49% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46.64% of the population.

There were 16,793 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

According to a 2007 estimate,[7] the median income for a household in the city was $78,157, and the median income for a family was $121,651. Males had a median income of $66,178 versus $39,444 for females. The per capita income for the city was $46,163. About 4.3% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, Spanish was spoken as a first language by 51.05% of residents, while English was the first language of 43.82%, French 1.08%, Portuguese 0.79%, and Italian 0.72% of the population.[8]

As of 2000, Coral Gables had the eighteenth highest percentage of Cuban residents in the US, with 28.72% of the populace.[9] It also had the sixty-fourth highest percentage of Colombian residents in the US, at 2.27% of the city's population,[10] and the sixteenth highest percentage of Venezuelan residents in the US, at 1.17% of its population.[11]

Coral Gables today

Coral Way, one of the many scenic roads through the Gables.

Coral Gables is currently known as a pedestrian-friendly destination. Located four miles from Miami International Airport, the "City Beautiful" has around 140 dining establishments and gourmet shops, and many notable international retailers. Among the landmarks in Coral Gables are the Venetian Pool, Douglas Entrance, the Biltmore Hotel, and many fine residences.

Media

Coral Gables is covered by several local and regional radio and television stations. Coral Gables is also covered by several weekly newspapers, but has only two newspapers with the city's namesake and main focus. The Coral Gables Gazette is the only award winning FPA (Florida Press Association) weekly newspaper serving Coral Gables. Covering local government, news, sports as well as community events. The Gazette is also the oldest weekly newspaper in Coral Gables. The Gables other newspaper, The Coral Gables News Tribune, is published twice monthly and is part of Miami's Community Newspapers, the Voice of the Community. At the University of Miami in Coral Gables, The Miami Hurricane, the official student newspaper, is published twice weekly.

Portions of the 1995 film Fair Game were filmed in Coral Gables.[12]

Economy

Major Coral Gables intersection at Coral Way (Miracle Mile) and Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

By 2006 Burger King had announced that it planned to move its headquarters to a proposed office building in Coral Gables.[20] By 2007 Burger King instead renewed the lease in its existing headquarters for 15 years. Burger King planned to consolidate employees working at an area near Miami International Airport and at a Dadeland Mall-area facility into the current headquarters by June of that year. Instead Bacardi USA leased the headquarter complex, a 15-story building. Bacardi consolidated employees from seven separate buildings in South Florida.[21]

Diplomatic missions

Several countries operate consulates in Coral Gables. They include Colombia,[22] El Salvador,[23] Italy,[24] Spain,[25] and Uruguay.[26] In addition the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, of the Republic of China, is located in Suite 610 at 2333 Ponce De Leon Boulevard.[27]

Education

University of Miami

Main article: University of Miami
University of Miami

Coral Gables is the location of the University of Miami, a university ranked in the top tier of national universities[28], with particular national status in the fields of business, law, marine science, medicine, and music.[29][30]

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Coral Gables High School

Coral Gables schools are part of the Miami-Dade School District, which serves almost all of metropolitan Miami. The district has one high school in Coral Gables, Coral Gables High School, which educates students in grades nine through 12.

Private schools

The management offices of Gulliver Schools are located in Coral Gables.[31] Gulliver Academy, a PreK-8 school that is a member of Gulliver Schools, is within Coral Gables.[32]

Public libraries

Miami-Dade Public Library System operates the Coral Gables Branch.[33]

Notable residents

Places of interest

Gallery

Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables

Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile

Typical residential street in Coral Gables

DeSoto Fountain

Coral Gables City Hall with its statue of Merrick

Venetian Pool is a Coral Gables public swimming pool

Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables

Village of Merrick Park

Alhambra Water Tower

The famous Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel

Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile

Gardens at Merrick Park

Ponce de Leon Boulevard

Downtown Coral Gables along Alhambra Circle

Sister cities

Coral Gables has seven sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ↑ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv
  4. ↑ Williams, Linda K. & George, Paul S.. "South Florida: A Brief History". Historical Museum of Southern Florida. http://www.hmsf.org/history/south-florida-brief-history.htm. Retrieved September 4, 2009. 
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. ↑ "Demographics of Coral Gables, Florida". MuniNetGuide.com. http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/municipality/Coral_Gables.php. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  7. ↑ factfinder.census.gov
  8. ↑ "MLA Data Center Results of Coral Gables, Florida". Modern Language Association. http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&county_id=&mode=place&zip=&place_id=14250&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  9. ↑ "Ancestry Map of Cuban Communities". Epodunk.com. http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Cuban.html. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  10. ↑ "Ancestry Map of Colombian Communities". Epodunk.com. http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Colombian.html. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  11. ↑ "Ancestry Map of Venezuelan Communities". Epodunk.com. http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Venezuelan.html. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  12. ↑ Fair Game (1995) - Filming locations
  13. ↑ Walker, Elaine. "Machines to sell food that's good for you." Miami Herald. Saturday September 26, 2009. Retrieved on October 2, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Contact us marine." ExxonMobil. Retrieved on January 26, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Florida - Ticket Offices." Aeroméxico. Retrieved on January 28, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Miami And Coral Gables, Florida Travel Center." American Airlines. Retrieved on April 9, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Other Locations." MoneyGram. Retrieved on May 11, 2010.
  18. ↑ "[www.dolphinentertainment.com Welcome to Dolphin Entertainment]." Dolphin Entertainment. Retrieved on June 13, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Oficinas en el mundo." Aeroperú. Retrieved on June 13, 2009.
  20. ↑ Beaird, Daniel. "OFFICE MARKET UPDATE Vacancies drop as job growth remains steady." Southeast Real Estate Business. August 2006. Retrieved on October 2, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Bacardi U.S.A. to take over BK's planned Coral Gables headquarters." South Florida Business Journal. Tuesday May 8, 2007. Retrieved on October 2, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Contáctenos." Consulate-General of Colombia in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Norte América." Consulate-General of El Salvador in Miami. Retrieved on January 31, 2009.
  24. ↑ "Welcome to the web site of the Consulate General of Italy in Miami." Consulate-General of Italy in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  25. ↑ Home page. Consulate-General of Spain in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  26. ↑ "Consular in US." Embassy of Uruguay Washington D.C. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Contact Us." Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami. Retrieved on January 30, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Best Colleges 2010: University of Miami". U.S. News & World Report. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/coral-gables-fl/university-of-miami-1536. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  29. ↑ UM Featured in 2007 Edition of the Princeton Review Annual College Guide - "The Best 361 Colleges" | University of Miami
  30. ↑ About the University of Miami | University of Miami
  31. ↑ "About Our Campuses." Gulliver Schools. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Gulliver Academy." Gulliver Schools. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Coral Gables." Miami-Dade Public Library System. Retrieved on September 28, 2009.
  34. ↑ [1]
  35. ↑ http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/articles/0,22490,1647703,00.html
  36. ↑ [2]
  37. ↑ Jonathan Vilma at New Orleans Saints web site.
  38. ↑ [3]

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