email: roadarch@outlook.com

Florida Mid-Century Modern Motels & Hotels (page 2)

(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

former Stephen's International Motel
Miami, FL
2005: 2020:
Stephen's International Motel was built in 1946. By 1953, it was housing the Ken-Lin Motel. In 2014, the motel rooms were demolished but the building on the right and the one on the left (not shown) were saved. A new building was constructed between them which now houses a Starbucks. The complex is now used for retail and office space. For more, see this website. [map]

former South Pacific Motel
Miami, FL

2009:
2020:
The South Pacific Motel was designed by Charles Giller and built in 1953. In 2014, renovation work began to convert the building into office space. The complex is now known as the Wotel South Pacific. The signs were preserved and updated with the new name. [map]

former Knoxon Drive-In Hotel
Miami, FL
2005: 2020:
The Knoxon Drive-In Hotel was designed by Norman M. Giller and built in 1951. It was later known as the Royal Motel. In 2014, restoration of the motel began. It was renamed the Knoxon Wotel and will be used as a retail/office building. In 2020, restoration of the building was still going on For more, see this website. [map]

former Motel New Yorker
Miami, FL

2009:
2020:
The Motel New Yorker was designed by Norman Giller and built in 1953. It was later known as the Davis Motel. In 2010, the motel was restored and the name was changed back to the Motel New Yorker. It is now known as the New Yorker Boutique Hotel. For more, see this website. [map]

Shalimar Motel
Miami, FL
2005: 2020:
The Shalimar Motel was designed by Edwin Reeder and built in 1951. The motel's signs have been significantly altered over the years. The sign over the office, shown in the 2005 photo above, is gone now. Its supporting structure remains. The sign on the corner of the building originally had neon letters. They were later covered up with large panels. That sign now has backlit plastic letters. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Sinbad Motel
Miami, FL		 Royal Motel
Miami, FL
The Sinbad Motel was designed by Tony Sherman and built in 1953. There was originally a gull sculpture which projected from a steel arm above these signs. That was destroyed by Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Shortly after that, it was replaced with a neon sputnik Neo-Lectra. That was destroyed in Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The arm which supported it is still there. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Royal Inn was built in 1952 the Motel Dorsett. By the 1960s, it was known as Nilsson's Dorsett Motel and new signs were installed. It was later known as the Royal Budget Inn. These signs were installed in 2020 when the motel was renovated and became the Royal Inn. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Vagabond Motel
Miami, FL

2005:
2009:
2020 and 2021:
The Vagabond Motel was designed by Robert M. Swartburg and built in 1953. In 2006, conversion work began to transform the motel into retail space. The property was renamed the Vagabond Market and was used as a weekend flea market in 2009. In 2012, it was announced that the property would be restored and used as a motel again. In 2014, it reopened as the Vagabond Hotel. The new pole sign was based on the 1950s sign. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]