Homebuyers who love the waterfront lifestyle and appreciate a refined architectural style should set their sights on Coral Gables, Florida. 

The city is one of the first planned communities in Florida, built to create an everyday paradise for folks looking to live in South Florida. Coral Gables’s old-world elegance shines through in its terracotta-tiled, Mediterranean-style homes and buildings that line the streets. 

Below, the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a guide on the top reasons why people move to Coral Gables, from endless shopping at the Miracle Mile to calm evenings exploring the shores of Biscayne Bay at Tahiti Beach. 

Why people love living in Coral Gables

• Illustrious history 

• Beautiful homes and architecture

• An unbeatable downtown 

• Beautiful outdoor spaces 

• Prime location in the heart of Miami-Dade County 

Illustrious history 

Many towns and communities that popped up over the past 30 years in South Florida are products of developers who envisioned master-planned communities that would sell as much real estate as possible. 

But in the 1920s, George Edgar Merrick began building on the 3,000 acres of citrus and pine trees his father left him in the Miami area. Merrick loved Spanish-revival architecture, making a master-planned city with clear residential and recreational area divisions from commercial sectors. Today, you can take in that history at the Coral Gables Museum.

The Miracle Mile is the shopping sector, while the Country Club is home to the acclaimed Riviera Golf Course and the Biltmore Hotel. Opened in 1926, this luxurious hotel, designed by architect Leonard Schultze, blends Italian, Moorish, and Spanish Revival architecture, acting as the centerpiece of upscale design and living. 

Another gem is the Venetian Pool, a National Historic Landmark. Carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923, it offers a Venetian-inspired oasis with waterfalls and a cave-like grotto, serving as a highlight of Coral Gables’ illustrious architecture. 

One of Merrick's last contributions to Coral Gables was gifting land and $5 million to create the University of Miami, which is now one of the most popular universities in South Florida.

Beautiful homes and architecture

When George Merrick laid out the plans for homes in Coral Gables, he envisioned homes built using Mediterranean revival architecture and Spanish Colonial designs with stucco walls, terracotta-tiled roofs, and lush landscaping to complement the tropical setting. 

Many of these homes stand tall today, retaining their original style. For instance, the Country Club section of Coral Gables features plenty of luxurious homes that mirror the unique style and design of the Biltmore Hotel. One of the quintessential homes showcasing the style of the area is the Merrick House, which is near the Granada Golf Course.

Merrick faced criticism from the press and other developers that the houses in Coral Gables were too similar. Taking this critique in stride, he laid out the plans for villages with an international design element. The Italian Village south of the Riviera Golf Course has 17 homes built to resemble Italian farmhouses with soft arches, walled courtyards, and exterior staircases. 

But Merrick did not stop there. There is a French Country Village with chateau-style homes, a Dutch South African Village featuring Colonial Farmhouses, and a Chinese Village with pagoda-style roofs and brightly colored walls. 

An unbeatable downtown 

If you travel to Coral Way, you will find Downtown Coral Gables. 

Coral Gables is home to the Miracle Mile, a This picturesque street is a shopper's paradise, lined with an array of upscale boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, specialty stores, and top-tier brands. After a riveting round of retail therapy, many shoppers head to one of the nearby fine-dining establishments to refresh. 

The street offers a gastronomic delight, offering various restaurants, cafes, and eateries that range from Italian, French, Asian, and Latin to classic American cuisines. Motek Coral Gables is the place to go if you're looking for Mediterranean food that fits right in with the Adriatic theme of Coral Gables. A local favorite is John Martin's Irish Pub, where you can grab a pint and a shepherd's pie. 

One of the best times to visit Downtown Coral Gables is during the Carnival on the Mile event. Around the beginning of March each year, the Miracle Mile becomes a giant party where locals can peruse pop-up shops amidst a festival celebrating local artists, music, and cuisine. 

Beautiful outdoor spaces 

When Merrick designed Coral Gables, he wanted nature to mesh with his master-planned city. To do this, he built parks near commercial centers, dedicated waterfront for beaches near luxury homes, and saved large swathes of land for golf courses. 

The centerpiece of this effort is Merrick Park, which is right next to the Miracle Mile and acts as an oasis to recharge after a rousing day on the Mile. The park spans over 30 acres, offering locals landscaped gardens with vibrant flowerbeds and plenty of shade. 

Folks looking for a coastal escape will love Matheson Hammock Park. Located on the shores of Biscayne Bay, this waterfront park is just minutes from Miracle Mile. There is an artificial atoll pool, filled and drained by the bay's tidal flow, which residents and visitors can take a dip in along the sandy shore. Explorers also love the winding trails that traverse coast habitats, which are perfect for bird watching amongst the mangrove trees. 

If you want a lesson in horticulture and botany, check out the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. At over 80 acres, the garden showcases rare and exotic plants from around the world. There are themed biomes, such as a rainforest area and a butterfly garden. 

But one of the most historical and beautiful features of Coral Gables is the Venetian Pool. Carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923, the pool mirrors a traditional Venetian pool design, with cascading waterfalls, a bridge, and even a cave-like grotto that is perfect for escaping the South Florida heat. 

Prime location in the heart of Miami-Dade County 

Coral Gables is a great place to live if you need to live near Miami's beating heart. 

The city has access to major highways like US-1, the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), and the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836), making it easy to get around South Florida. This means commuting for work is just as simple as heading out for a leisurely weekend unless there is rush hour traffic. 

If folks need to get into Downtown Miami, a car ride on Route 1 will only take about 20 minutes or so. If you need to catch a flight at Miami International, a drive up NW 42nd Street can get you to your terminal in 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the traffic. 

If you want to lounge out at the beach, heading south on SW 42nd Street will get you to Matheson Hammock Park & Marina in less than 20 minutes or so. 

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