Fontainebleau Miami Beach facts for kids
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Fontainebleau IOU
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Fontainebleau Miami Beach (2011)
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 Location in Miami
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| Location | 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida, US 33140 |
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| Area | 180,525 m2 (1,943,150 sq ft) |
| Built | 1954 |
| Architect | Morris Lapidus |
| Architectural style | Miami Modern Architecture (MiMo) |
| Visitation | 16,349,845 (2015) |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001318 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2008 |
| Designated NHL | June 24, 2010 |
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach (also known as Fontainebleau Hotel) is a very famous hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. It was designed by a well-known architect named Morris Lapidus. This fancy hotel first opened in 1954.
In 2007, the Fontainebleau Hotel was named one of "America's Favorite Architecture" buildings by the American Institute of Architects. Later, in 2012, the Florida chapter of the AIA even ranked it first on their list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places."
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach is located on Collins Avenue. It is currently owned by Fontainebleau Resorts.
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History of the Fontainebleau Hotel
The hotel was built by a hotel owner named Ben Novack. It was built on land that used to belong to Harvey S. Firestone, a famous businessman. Novack owned and ran the hotel until 1977.
The Fontainebleau is known for a big court case in 1959. The hotel successfully argued against its neighbor, the Eden Roc Hotel. The Eden Roc wanted to stop the Fontainebleau from building an expansion that would block sunlight to its swimming pool. The court decided that the Fontainebleau had the right to build on its own land. It said that the idea of "ancient lights" (a rule from old times about having a right to sunlight) was not used in the United States.
In 1978, Stephen Muss bought the Fontainebleau Hotel for $27 million. This saved it from financial trouble. He spent another $100 million to make improvements. He also hired the Hilton company to manage the hotel. In 2005, the Muss Organization sold the Fontainebleau to Turnberry Associates for $165 million.
The hotel closed most of its property in 2006 for a big renovation. However, one building stayed open for guests. The newly expanded hotel, with new condominium buildings, opened again in November 2008.
On December 22, 2008, the Fontainebleau was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
Hotel Renovations and Features
The Fontainebleau had a grand re-opening on November 18, 2008. This marked the end of a two-year renovation that cost $1 billion. During this work, special care was taken to keep many of the original design parts. One famous part they kept is the "Staircase to Nowhere," which is also called the "floating staircase." The hotel's big re-opening parties included hosting the yearly Victoria's Secret fashion show.
The hotel complex has many restaurants and nightclubs. Some of them include:
- Stripsteak by Michael Mina (a steakhouse)
- Scarpetta (Italian food)
- Hakkasan (Cantonese food)
- La Côte (a bar and grill by the pool)
- Blade Sushi
- Vida (Pan American food)
- Fresh (for snacks and gelato)
- SFX Entertainment LIV Nightclub, also known as '54
- Bleau Bar
- Glow Bar
- Michael Mina Pizza & Burger
- Chez Bon Bon (for pastries and chocolates)
How to Say the Name
The local way to say the hotel's name is "fountain blue." This is an English way of saying the French word.
See also
In Spanish: Fontainebleau Miami Beach para niños
Images for kids
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Fontainebleau Hotel in March 1955. Photo by Samuel Gottscho.
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Fontainebleau Hotel, 2004
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Fountain
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Lobby
