The Pink House is one of the best known and most photographed residences in Miami. It is a symbol of modern design. It is located in Miami Shores, on Biscayne Bay and occupies a double lot with over 100' of open bay water frontage.
Many factors make this house interesting, but its controversy has always intrigued me. Designed by Laurinda Spear and Bernardo Fort-Bescia of Arquitectonica for Spear's parents in 1976, it's a series of planes and framed views together with clever climate-minded design which maximizes East/West breezes.
Its color statement received plenty of attention in the late 1970's when it was built. Neighbors were disturbed by the 5 hues of pink (which were picked not only to reflect the tropical climate, but because those colors were rarely used at the time). The house had to undergo scrutiny from The Village of Miami Shores' zoning review board to get colors approved. (how does that NOT surprise me!) The board finally demanded that a grove of trees be planted to shield the house from the street.
Its obvious horizontal lines and planes are broken up by Royal Palms mathematically aligned along the front facade. There's a pool porthole visible also from the front facade. It was designed to be an urban home with a suburban context - conceived as an object in the landscape. The approach is calculated and you follow a sequence from the facade, to a courtyard to the rooms - each room frames the view beyond in a different way.
Follow these links for some interesting articles about The Pink House and Arquitectonica:
- They've come a long way since flamingo-pink houses and 'Miami Vice'
- The Pink House
- Having a Wonderful Time in Miami
photos courtesy of: http://www.arquitectonica.com• Copyright ©1997-2007 Arquitectonica International Corporation • All Rights Reserved
For another architecturally relevant house in Miami Shores, please read: Famous Architect, Wahl Snyder's home in Miami Shores -SOLD
RICK AND INES specialize in Miami Shores Real Estate - please visit our website for more information about the area http://www.yourpropertypros.com/ www.miamism.com
Ines... I can see the architect in you...
you should do a piece on Addison Mizner... I love the story of his 2 story buildings w/out stairwells
Funny how when things are new they are outrageous, then they not only become part of the landscape they become The Landscape. Someone was very bold back then. Leaders are like that!
Nice post you little architect you!
kk
Caleb - not only did I enjoy doing this post, but I'm enjoying reading others' spin on it as well - it was a great idea for you guys to encourage this.
David - Mizner is definitely an interesting architect....maybe I'll take that one on too - thanks for the idea.
Kristal - Arquitectonica has been on the forefront of original and controversial architecture here in Miami. I have to tell you that a lot of their building's function is not too great, another negative is the materials and how difficult the maintenance is. But they do have really great stuff all over town and makes us proud to live in Miami. These buildings have certainly become part of the landscape, as you say.
Ines - I love this post! The way you've written about the 'pink house' makes me want to go see it. Very nice job laying out this post - love the pictures and links, too!
Ann
I agree with Ann, when I get to Miami I've got to see this place. But Ines, I want you standing next to me pointing out what I'm missing. To me this looks like an unusual house. You see this very differently than I do.
Its obvious horizontal lines and planes are broken up by Royal Palms mathematically aligned along the front facade.
I didn't see the obvious horizontal lines or the vertical ones until you pointed them out to me. It's sort of like a puzzle - what do you see here?
Ann - thanks so much, you know how I value your opinion - The current owners don't open it to the public, but they do commercials and find "film crews" there often.
Dena - Every year in Miami Shores there's a Home for the Holidays Walking Tour which features 5 or 6 local homes and there's a couple of friends of ours that HAVE to go with me because of my descriptions. They say they enjoy my enthusiasm so much more than the actual tour and would miss half the features of the homes if I were not there pointing them out. You just made me smile.
Dena - come join us anytime - we have a lot of fun!
George - I'm not a pink person either, but would love to live there! The upstairs has 2 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms and 2 studies
George - how could you paint "THE PINK HOUSE" any other color but PINK!! Imagine a yellow "pink house" - that would really drive people crazy! LOL!
Karen - you better call when you're here, I would love to meet you. I'll call Monique so you can see what they have done to the house. I will certainly say hello to them from you.
Oh my god that place is GOOSE BUMPY gorgeous! I love pink... it is an amazing color... that NEEDS to be appreciated in the sun. Mexico, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico all are GREAT pink states.
What a fun post.
Pink It Forward..
Me
Ines,
Love your story and description to this most interesting home. I'm sure there is a also lot of color to the people who have resided there.
Ruth - it is definitely an interesting house and one that has been criticized quite a bit. As for the color of the house now, it is not the original 5 tones of pink - I would love to see the original darker tone brought back but color is very difficult in Miami Shores (it is one of the negative points of this neighborhood)
"orange" how appropriate....my favorite color.
Sharon - but of course!!! you'll be the first to know.
Carole - unfortunately this house is not open for tours, you can only see it from the outside (like the photo I took) - I'm hoping the owners will let us showcase the home in one of our home tours soon.
I remember sitting in a car, being shown the house on a tour of "cool" sights by a friend about 10 years ago when I moved here...Great Post!
If you are interested in doing shoots at this location please contact me, this is my home.
Hi Jonathan - thanks so much fo leaving a message. There are plenty of people who are always asking me about touring your house. I also know a couple of your neighbors, including the Omenacas across the street and they have only good things to say about you. Best wishes for the new year!
ines
Jonathan - I've been trying to contact you about a company scouting your house for commercials - please give me a call or e-mail me when you have a chance - 305-206-9366 or ines@miamism.com
I don't know how we'd feel about tours, commercials and photoshoots however are welcomed. I just contacted you ines, sorry for the delay... I don't really check this site.
Jonathan, got your email - thanks!
I had a NY company also looking to do a shoot - will contact you if something comes up - thanks!
I grew up just down the street from the pink house. on 93rd street and 12th avenue and used to play in that field for years before they built the pink house. fished there too and gigged for mullet. caught snapper. the spears lived a few blocks over.
there was a strong bauhaus design movement emerging at that time mostly from Arquitectonica. they build some building on Brickell Avenue if I recall. Other designers tried to emulate thier work with dreadful results.
the Wells, there next door neighbors had a cool pink 66 corvette they would park in the drive when magazines would do photo shoots there. tons of commericals and some Miami Vice shows were shot there. it was always happening. Mrs, Spears tried to put some curtains on the walls to warm it up but Bernardo freaked out so she relented. LOL. My parents knew the spears well and Chip Spears (who had polio) was in my cub scouts. Great guy. I got to tour the house and it was wonderful. So unique. Not for everyone but I loved it.
The tropical deco and bauhause trends of Miami will always be in my soul. I am 56 now living in San Diego and about to buy my first Bauhaus home.
Thanks for the memories and all the best
Bill Oxford
Wow Bill - those are some memories! thanks for sharing - would love to include this in the original article at miamism.com if you don't mind. Here's the link:
http://www.miamism.com/the-pink-house-miami-shores-florida/
I've lived in Miami Shores for over 27 years - so maybe we have crossed paths at one time or another. Feel free to contact us if you ever visit Miami Shores and good luck with that Bauhaus home purchase.
Ines
Wow. I'm sitting here in England watching Tv and a Department store commercial comes on with the Spear House in the back ground. I also grew up in the Shores back in the 60's to the 80's. My parents were friends of the Spears, and all the respective activities of those times: Rotary for the men and garden club for the wives; Bath Club, Jockey Club, Coral Reef Yatch Club and Miami Shores Country Club ( we lived a few blocks from the later). We had horses and my sister was friends with the younger daughter Bonnie who rode. My daughter has a pair of Bonnie's knee boots that had been passed down and through various other equestrian feet.
I remember driving down to the construction site with my mom and Mrs. Spear to see the progress of the house. I recall various comments both positive and negative from the locals. You either hated it or loved it- there was no room for maybe. I think it is a beautiful piece of artwork like their other buildings. Remember that this was created during a time of excess in Miami and no thought was given to the practicality of the design- they were creating ART.
It's amazing that it has still maintained it's reputation after all these years. And that it is still known as the Spear house: a legacy of a childs love for her parents.
What a great comment Maggie!! Love hearing stories like that! I've lived in Miami Shores over 25 years and I absolutely love it! The original article is in our real website at http://www.miamism.com/the-pink-house-miami-shores-florida/ - you'll find a Miami Shores section will all kinds of architecture and community articles. Thanks so much for sharing!!
ines