Tucked among the tile roofs and 1920s Mediterranean revival architecture favored by Coral Gables developer George Merrick are seven historic villages that remain a little-known part of the city’s history.
Seven thematic villages
Coral Gables has seven villages: the South Dutch African Village, the Italian Village, the Florida Pioneer Village, the French City Village, the French Normandy Village, the French Country Village and, perhaps the best known, the Chinese Village.
“It is about a weekly thing. Someone will catch me out on the sidewalk and they will say, ‘Do you have to be Chinese to live there?'” said village co-owner Cole Jenkins.
In the heart of the Gables, the Florida Pioneer Village resembles homes transplanted from the Northeast, both idyllic and unique. One of the homes appeared in There’s Something About Mary, starring Cameron Diaz and Adam Sandler.
Lost plans after 1926 hurricane
Many Gables residents, like Catalina Capra, said they have never heard of the villages. She is not alone. Many South Florida residents are also unaware that they exist, though they were part of Merrick’s original plan for the city…