Venetian Pool, the city of Coral Gables' public swimming pool. | |
| Location | Coral Gables, Florida USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 25°44′46″N80°16′27″W / 25.74611°N 80.27417°WCoordinates: 25°44′46″N80°16′27″W / 25.74611°N 80.27417°W |
| Area | 4 acres (16,000 m2) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Phineas Paist |
| NRHP reference # | 81000193[1] |
| Added to NRHP | August 20, 1981 |
- City Of Coral Gables Florida
- Coral Gables Florida Newspaper
- Coral Gables Venetian Pool Price
- Venetian Casino Coral Gables Florida Hotels
- Coral Gables Florida Zillow
- Venetian Casino Coral Gables Florida U S
Venetian Pool is a historic U.S.publicswimming pool located in Coral Gables, Florida. Completed in 1924, it was designed by Phineas Paist with Denman Fink.[2]
History[edit]
The Venetian pool was opened in 1924 as the Venetian Casino. The pool was a creation that was a result of the Grand Plan that George Merrick had for a City that would embody true hometown living. As George Merrick went about creating a City with Mediterranean features such as grand entrances, plazas, and Mediterranean style homes, the limestone.
Venetian Pool, opened in 1924 as 'Venetian Casino,' was created from a 4 acres (16,000 m2) old coral rockquarry, abandoned in 1921. The pool was founded by George Merrick as part of the development of Coral Gables, which was created in Mediterranean Revival style and utilized a large amount of coral for ornamental features of the community. The remaining quarry was reconfigured by architect Phineas Paist and designed by artist Denman Fink. Named for Mediterranean city of Venice, Italy, the pool included a Venetian style bridge and classic mooring posts.[2][3][4]
City Of Coral Gables Florida
The Venetian Pool has gone through several phases. A large additional island was created to allow Venetian style gondolas to dock alongside though the gondolas were later removed. A high diving platform was constructed above the grand waterfall and was also later torn down. Early in its history, the pool was regularly drained completely to permit the Miami Symphony to perform in it, taking advantage of the quarry's natural acoustic qualities. In 2001, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Coral Gables, the pool was once again drained for an orchestral performance. A 1989 renovation restored many of the pool's original features.[4]
In 1981, Venetian Pool was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only pool listed on the register.[2][4]
Description[edit]
The pool occupies a shallow quarry displacing some 820,000 US gallons (3,100 m3) of fresh water daily from artesian wells, making it the largest freshwater pool in the United States.[4]
The pool ranges in depth from four feet to depths of over eight feet near the grand waterfall, with a two-foot kiddy pool near the lifeguard station; the station is atop a bridge leading out to an island with two full size palm trees on it. A grotto, where natural water-filled caves stretch back over twelve feet into the hillside, is located across the pool from the island. There is a sandy sunning area for sunbathers and a café area that is commonly used for weddings and receptions. A walking path surrounds the whole complex.
The pool received a massive historical restoration in 1989.[2] The pool had another major renovation (and was closed to the public) between September 8, 2008 and April 30, 2009.
Sustainability[edit]
The pool has come under criticism from environmentalists due to the massive amounts of fresh water it uses daily, raising concerns that the process of completely draining the pool every night and refilling it the following day was depleting the Floridian aquifers. In 1998 a solution was devised to drain the water back into the aquifer, using natural ground filtration, thus recycling the precious natural resource, while allowing the pool to maintain its fresh, clear water.
Coral Gables Florida Newspaper
Gallery[edit]
Entrance gate
Entrance building with greenery
View of pool through railings
Mooring post and waterfall
View of pool through entrance building
Mooring post, island and pool
Main buildings with pool and island
Island with bridge
Waterfall and pool
Main building and greenery
Fountain and hanging ceiling lamp
Fountain in main building
Interior gallery of main building
Trellis gallery
Door leading to water fountain in main building
Landscaped path around pool
Shrubbery, trees and pool
Waterfall and main building
General view of buildings and pool
Coral Gables Venetian Pool Price
References[edit]
- ^'National Register Information System'. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ abcd'Venetian Pool History'. Venetian Pool. City of Coral Gables. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- ^Steig, Stacey. 'A History of Coral Gables'. Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ abcd'Venetian Pool'. The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
Venetian Casino Coral Gables Florida Hotels
External links[edit]
Coral Gables Florida Zillow
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