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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
In the rapidly changing world which is South Florida today, our very heritage is at stake
as historic structures and sites—the few tangible reminders of our past—are fast
disappearing. Our historic properties give texture, livability, and character in our
fast growing, rapidly developing modern city. While the BRHS&M takes an active
roll in the advocacy of historic preservation, please remember that as a private
independent agency we have no actual legal power to designate or regulate designated
properties within the city. Please let your city representatives know how important
historic preservation is for the future of our community.
BOCA RATON ARMY AIR FIELD PRESERVATION UDATE
Boca Raton was home to the Army Air Corps’ only war-time radar training base during
WWII, the Boca Raton Army Air Field. Radar was top secret during those years, and all
Army Air Force pilots, mechanics, and navigators working with the new technology had
to come here to learn it. The base (initially housed at the Boca Raton Club, now the Boca
Raton Resort & Club) comprised over 800 buildings; less than twenty survive today. The
base was active from 1942 until 1947, when most of the structures were destroyed by a
terrible hurricane in September of that year. The base extended from Dixie Highway on
the east to the Seaboard RR tracks (think Amtrak tracks—approximately the route of I95) on the west and from Palmetto Park Road on the south to north of Yamato Road.
BRAAF HEADQUARTERS 101 Pine Circle ENDANGERED
The headquarters building for the base was located at 101 Pine Circle, on the “the hill”
just off NW Fourth Avenue. Since WW II it has operated as an apartment house. This
building represents one of the most historically significant structures in all of Boca Raton.
Built in 1942 as the base headquarters (T-1052) it was strategically located on the highest
elevation in Boca Raton as the gateway cornerstone building overlooking over 5000 acres
of the air field. The building is constructed of concrete block and retains some of its
original windows and many other original features, although many additions have been
made to it over the years. It is constructed in an “H” shaped pattern; such buildings were
used primarily as radar training school buildings throughout the base. Several other such
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
“H” buildings survive, particularly on or near Spanish River Boulevard. They have been
renovated to become apartment houses or schools.
Last year the post headquarters building was purchased by the Batmasians, local real
estate developers, at auction. The Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum has met
with the new owner on several occasions to encourage him to rehabilitate this important
structure however he has assured of his intention to demolish and replace the building.
The building has recently been boarded up for security reasons; there is still at least one
tenant in residence. (The disturbed ground at the back of the property is the result of
maintenance activities on site.)
BRHS&M engaged the services of a local historic preservation architect and contractor to
do an assessment on our behalf; Armen Batmasian was kind enough to allow us access to
the building. The following were the conclusions of our preservation architect, Susan
McClellan, and preservation contractor, Charles Jordan of New World Builders, both of
Fort Lauderdale ( to view the full reports, please contact us at [email protected]):
Conclusion by consulting preservation architect of 101 Pine Circle Site Visit, Materials
Observations
According to "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation"
the following conclusions are drawn by this architect:
• The neighborhood surrounding the property is suited to its present
use .... residential low scale .... as well as it rehabilitation into similar modern
use.
• The "historic" roots of the building and site, this architect believes stems
from its provenance as a "headquarters" that was known in the
documents in evidence of the time (the yearbook of 1947 photo) and the
physical remaining features that are in place to this day (the safe, the
wood windows at the West, many of the doors, the very base structure
and its recorded 'culture' during its vital period).
• The additions that have been done since the "official" inception and
building of the structure can be removed without destroying the essential
three-part wing simplistic building. The additions are actually the source
for most of the problems physically and economic to the present day
building and site. The lack of construction quality of the additions and of
the building's maintenance has compounded its appearance and thus
economic state of being .
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
The historic "significance" of this building could be derived from not one
but many of the observations made in this report:
culture - it is a place-holder in the development of the City over time of a
significant event I events (WWII , radar training)
architectural "type" -the simple construction technique of the original built
structure remains even after years of neglect physically and economically
site placement individually as well as collectively - the site itself has qualities
begging for enhancement (peninsular site, high "point" in City, natural stepping
of the site front to back) coupled with the building's spatial layout with the
central assembly area flanked by the lower scale wings this architect believes
could be honed for today's use.
• The "economic cost" to this architect needs to be reviewed in terms of the
cost to the environment. The tearing down of this structure (not only the
loss of cultural resource) and the associated pollution has far more detrimental
effects to the environment than does rehabilitating the structure. Much of this
building's structure is salvageable. In today's economic reality, we need to be
looking at "value" with a broader cultural aspect, one that has a different scale of
priority than return of cents on the dollar.
Conclusion by preservation contractor New World Builders
Our finding is that the BRAAF Headquarters complex would not warrant
demolition, from a structural standpoint, nor from a replacement cost
perspective, regardless of its cultural importance to the City of Boca Raton.
An experienced rehabilitation contractor would be able to renovate for
considerably less money than it would cost to demolish and build the same
volume from new construction. An experienced historic preservation contractor,
working with an experienced architectural design team, would be able to guide
the client through the rehabilitation and avoid inappropriate and costly
treatments to the historic complex. When coupled with a federal tax credit of up
to 20% of the renovation cost and incentives, there is no way for new
construction to compete with an adaptive reuse of this historic complex in the
area of value.
A prudent end-user would be well advised to take advantage of the tax
incentives offered to historic properties, while minimizing the cost required to
provide a fully functional facility of this size.
It is the hope of the BRHS&M that some individual or group will realize the
extraordinary value of this property, purchase and rehabilitate it and incorporate it into
some modern usage. Two years ago it was reviewed and recommended for local historic
designation by the Boca Raton Historic Preservation Board. The next step is to seek
approval of the Planning and Zoning Board. Currently this step is on hold as the city
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
awaits consent of the property owner. (Although not required according to our current
ordinance, it is clearly preferable that owners be in agreement with designation.) It would
then go before City Council for final approval. While this is not a necessary step for
preservation of the building, it would assist the owner in meeting the requirements for
possible future historic preservation related tax incentives.
HQ building 2013 and in 1947
Rear of building—currently boarded up for security,
left; original room sized vault, right
T BUILDINGS AT FAU… SAVED
Amongst the surviving BRAAF structures are four buildings on the campus at FAU. A
cluster of four structures (T-5, 6, 10, and 11) exist on the northeastern part of campus,
immediately to the west of the El Rio Canal. The university has reroofed these structures
and made a commitment to their preservation and restoration. FAU in association with
the Boca Raton Army Airfield Preservation Committee of the BRHS&M engaged the
services of a preservation architect, who has completed a comprehensive assessment and
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
plan for the existing structures and the surrounding space. The architectural plan will
serve as a pivotal guide in the rehabilitation and restoration of the buildings and is a
necessary document for any future grant applications.
Last Fall, our friends in the Arthur and Mata Jaffe Center for Book Arts at FAU
completed the renovation of a large room in T6 for their handmade paper making lab.
The grand opening paid homage to the building’s World War II roots. In addition, the
university repainted the interiors and updated one of the restrooms to make it ADA
accessible.
A number of years ago, FAU kindly offered a similar space to the BRAAF Preservation
Committee of the BRHS&M for use as museum space. However, we have recently found
that the fee for rehabilitation of the proffered rooms at T6 to make them occupy-able
according to university standards (not including the exhibition itself) will be many times
our committee’s actual budget. Unfortunately we will not be able to pursue this longtime
dream of our supporters at any time in the near future.
T6 and T5 at left; opening of the paper lab in T6, above;
paper lab party showing exterior of T6, right
NEW FEE FOR BOCA RATON HISTORIC DESIGNATION APPLICATION $1500
The city of Boca Raton recently initiated a fee for all applying for historic designation for
properties in Boca Raton. Formerly there was no fee for this application; fees for local
historic designation application vary widely across South Florida according to our
research, however, Boca Raton’s is unusually high. This strongly discourages residents
and property owners from applying for designation! Please contact your City
Council members regarding this impediment to historic preservation in our
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
community!! Please note, the Boca Raton Historic Preservation Board itself has the right
to initiate and make application for historic designation for historic sites, avoiding the
fee.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE REVISED!! WE NEED YOUR HELP
IN GETTING IT PASSED!!!
This is an update on the status of the revised historic preservation ordinance. The city
of Boca Raton’s Historic Preservation Board (HPB) approved an updated, modern
version of our city’s historic preservation ordinance. The new ordinance will streamline
current procedures. For example, historic designation will no longer require the approval
of the Planning and Zoning Board. Instead, the HPB historic designations would be
referred directly to City Council for final approval. Most importantly, the technical
changes to the city’s preservation ordinance will assist the city in meeting the
requirements for Certified Local Government (CLG) standing. The CLG “checklist” of
requirements meets regulations of the U.S. Department of Interior and the State of
Florida’s Bureau of Historic Preservation. A CLG status would allow owners of
historically designated properties within the city of Boca Raton to take advantage of ad
valorem tax incentives authorized by the Florida legislature once Boca Raton has passed
its own tax abatement ordinance. This would be the first significant local economic
incentive for historic property owners—a vital step for the future of historic preservation
in our community. Additionally, each year the Federal government sends dedicated
funds to the state specifically for CLG communities to use on historic preservation
projects. The state, recognizing the economic hardships in recent years, does not required
matching funds for these CLG grants. In other words, it is free money available for CLG
communities. We can take advantage of these funds once we become a CLG
community. For the past seven years the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
has worked with the city HPB and city staff to ensure that the revised ordinance includes
all of the features required for the CLG status. The revised ordinance draft has returned
from Tallahassee after review for CLG compliance. Since its return from Tallahassee, the
HPB and interested parties have been waiting for the revised ordinance to be brought
before the HPB and then City Council for final public hearings as required by law. It is
our understanding that the revised ordinance is still in the hands of city’s development
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
services staff and city attorney’s office, which are reviewing the revisions requested by
the state Bureau of Historic Preservation. Understandably the economy and other issues
have put the ordinance on the back burner. It is now time to bring it to the front and get it
passed. We cannot, however, do it alone. We need your help. Please contact members
of the City Council and the Boca Raton Historic Preservation Board staff liaison, Daryl
Johnson, and urge that the revised historic preservation ordinance be brought before the
HPB and City Council for final approval as soon as possible. Daryl Johnson can be
reached at [email protected]
BOCA RATON ROAD ENDANGERED! Proposed partial redevelopment
After several tremendous decades of redevelopment, little of Boca’s historic downtown
section remains today. One of the few survivors is a section of Boca Raton Road, located
just east of Sanborn Square and a block south of Mizner Park. These modest commercial
buildings were begun shortly after World War II and housed the post office, department
stores, and a variety of businesses over the years. Today they are amongst the few
examples of the “moderne” style popular in South Florida in the 1940s and 1950s left in
Boca Raton. Currently still in use and targeted by the CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) and others for redevelopment since the 1980s, this last bit of downtown is not
protected by historic designation. Two current projects will impact the area. First is a
proposed adaptive use of the historic Cramer House (currently office space) as a
restaurant with indoor and patio dining. At this point, it appears the house would remain
intact; this would be an appropriate use of this attractive historic structure. Secondly, a
nine story condo named Tower One Fifty Five has been approved for the north side of
Boca Raton Road at the east end near Mizner Boulevard. Architect Derek Vander Ploeg
(a current tenant on Boca Raton Road) and Compson Associates are partners in this
project scheduled to begin this Fall and be completed by 2015. This would involve the
demolition of the historic Eubanks House (mostly recently a bank building) and garage
(ca. 1946) plus three more modern structures.
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
In 2011, Boca Raton Road, Southeast Second Street, Southeast First Avenue, and
Palmetto Park Road underwent beautification and traffic calming improvements dubbed
“The Promenade.” This has greatly enhanced the appearance of the area.
It is the goal of the BRHS&M to create awareness of the historic character of this
neighborhood and advocate that the city require any proposed development projects be
made with respect to the historic structures, low profile, and mid-century character of
Boca Raton Road and surrounding streets.
To raise awareness of this historic area, the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
used a depiction of Boca Raton Road ca. late 1940s as the theme of its 2007
commemorative ornament. This is one in a series of glass ornaments depicting historical
themes and properties created by the BRHS&M as a fund raising tool each year. To
purchase this ornament visit the Fire Bay Gift Shop at Town Hall or our on line gift shop
on this website. For further information on plans for downtown contact the Development
Services Department at the city of Boca Raton. To help save the last surviving buildings
of our historic downtown, please contact your City Council members.
Boca Raton Road looking east ca. late 1940s and 2012
(Former) Eubanks House
and garage, future site of
Tower One Fifty Five
project
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
Cramer House on Boca Raton Rd, ca. 1925, left, and 2012, right
SPANISH VILLAGE (Christian Warren House 200 NW 7th Street) DESIGNATED!
Located at 200 NW 7th Street, the Christian Warren House is located on the southwest
corner of NW 7th Street and NW 2nd Avenue. The home is contiguous to and acts as an
entry to the small cohesive quiet residential neighborhood known as Spanish Village.
The Christian Warren House was one of the original 100 houses planned for Spanish
Village (only partially completed) by builder Harry Vought and Company for the Mizner
Development Corporation in 1925-26. An ad by Harry Vought in 1925 noted that the
design and materials used on the Spanish bungalows in Spanish Village were approved
by Addison Mizner. To entice visitors, Vought’s ad suggested that it was a unique
opportunity to buy in the “pre-development” period of Boca Raton when a new owner
could witness the Cloister Inn (the Boca Raton Resort & Club) being completed, Camino
Real being paved, lakes and canals being dredged, and golf courses laid down. “These
houses represent happy living conditions for the man who looks for comfort and
convenience, coupled with a price that is affordable,” the ad stated. The cost-approximately $7000—quite a sum at the time. Less than 20 houses in Spanish Village
were actually completed. Today eleven of the original bungalows can be found in
Spanish Village.
Recognizing its historic significance, the Boca Raton Historic Preservation Board
recommended the Christian Warren House be listed on the Boca Raton Register of
Historic Places; it was just approved by City Council. Its significance is noted in its
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
association with being one of the first examples of community planning for urban
development that was part of the original Mizner Development Corporation master plan
for Boca Raton, its association with renowned architect Addison Mizner, and as a good
representation of the Spanish Bungalow style of Mediterranean Revival architecture.
Congratulations and kudos to Chris!! The Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum is
pleased that the owner has recognized the importance of this property and is willing to
place it on the local register. Hopefully, others will realize the significance of their
historic properties and follow suit.
Christian Warren House 2011, left, and Spanish Village house from MDC brochure, right
LUFF HOUSE 390 E Palmetto Park Road ENDANGERED
The Luff House, at 390 Palmetto Park Road, is a unique Boca Raton example of the
Florida coral rock-bungalow style. It is threatened with demolition if a buyer and new site
for the house are not found immediately. The Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
is seeking:
1) individuals interested in relocating the house for private use OR
2) funds to relocate the house for community use
About The Luff House
Pioneer residents Theodore and Harriet Luff had the house at 390 E Palmetto Park Road
constructed in the early 1920s. It is built in a Florida interpretation of the bungalow style,
employing coral rock on the porches and chimneys. This type of bungalow, once fairly
common, is now an exceedingly rare survivor in the state and is literally unique in Boca
Raton today. As Palmetto Park Road grew more commercial, the structure was occupied
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
by a number of businesses including Front Porch Antiques, the Boca Watch Shoppe, and
Carousel Jewelers. The building was also home to community agencies such as the Junior
Service League and was the first home of the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum.
It has been a vital part of downtown Boca Raton in historic and modern times, serving as
a residence and successful retail establishment.
Today the house is in danger of demolition. The current owners would like to sell the
property. They have offered the house to the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum;
however, the Society currently has no funds for the cost of the relocation of the house, a
new site for the house, the necessary foundation and infrastructure for the house, nor
restoration funds. Although it would be eligible for grant funds like those provided in the
past by the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation, these are limited and cannot be
counted on.
What the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum has done to save this structure:
1) Met with public officials and private and civic organizations to discuss the
relocation, restoration, and possible future uses of the house
2) Researched costs for the relocation of the house
This is a community treasure; once gone, it will be gone forever. Please contact the
Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum at (561) 395-6766 X 106 if you would like to
support the effort to preserve this rare historic link with our community’s past.
Luff House ca. 1920s, left, and 2012, right.
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
THE GILES HOUSE (LA VIEILLE MAISON)
770 E Palmetto Park Road
DEMOLISHED!!!!
Thomas Giles, an engineer working for the Mizner Development Corporation (MDC),
commissioned the house at 770 E. Palmetto Park Road from an unknown Palm Beach
architect in ca. 1927. Giles also employed doors and other unused salvaged items from
the MDC after its bankruptcy in 1927. The Giles House was later converted into
apartments, a real estate office, and then a single family home once again before
becoming the well-known restaurant La Vieille Maison in the 1970s. The five-star
restaurant hosted numerous celebrations through the years until the building was sold in
2004. The Giles House was also a venerable survivor in Boca Raton, a rare example of
the Mediterranean Revival style architecture from the city's glamorous days as Florida’s
premier 1920s boom town.
This property was approved by the Boca Raton Historic Preservation Board for historic
designation but failed to pass review by the Planning and Zoning Board early in 2010.
The City Council tabled its review hearing of the Giles House until an assessment of the
structure could be completed. The house was deemed unsafe by the city after further
inspection indicated there was extensive deterioration from vandalism and water
intrusion. The Giles House was demolished in November 2011.
Fortunately, the
beautiful large Live Oak remains on the Giles House site. The tree has always added an
extraordinary ambiance to the garden setting and hopefully will be incorporated in the
redevelopment of the property.
Whimsically themed tiles were salvaged from the fireplace of the Giles House by the
Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum and can now be purchased at the Boca Raton
Historical Society & Museum’s Fire Bay Gift Shop. Although the loss of the Giles
House depicts a great loss of the city’s early history, there is now opportunity to
redevelop the site to reflect the important legacy of the Giles House.
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
Giles House ca. 1927, left, and site after demolition, right.
BOCA RATON RESORT AND CLUB PRESERVATION UPDATE
The BRHS&M has been negotiating for seven years with the Boca Raton Resort and
Club regarding the preservation of that beautiful and historic landmark, in many ways a
symbol of our community. We are continuing to strive towards some sort of covenant
concerning the historic sections of the hotel and site.
In 2008, BRHS&M released a scholarly history of the hotel by well known architectural
historian Dr. Donald Curl. The Boca Raton Resort & Club: Mizner’s Inn, published by
the History Press. It is a comprehensive history of Boca’s most famous landmark and
features 120 black and white and color photos from the collections of the BRHS&M. The
book retails for $19.99 and is available at the BRHS&M Fire Bay Gift Shop as well as
local book dealers and www.historypress.net. Proceeds from book sales benefit the
programs of the BRHS&M.
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
Recently the hotel completed its renovation of the former Patio Royale, the area outside
the Cathedral Dining Room. Once an open air court, this portion of the hotel has been
returned to its former look by replacing the roof with a transparent canopy.
Palm Court 2008
The eastern section of the lobby, where the grand staircase is located, has been painted
white and redecorated with contemporary furnishings to resemble the rest of the
renovated lobby.
Grand stair lobby (Schultze and
Weaver addition) after renovation
11/2008
A new sushi bar and ice cream parlor in what were, in 1926, the original Cloister Inn
Dining Room were completed three years ago. In addition, the Mizner Loggia has been
redecorated, and the original cement tile floor covered with modern tile and carpet. The
decorative tile wall plaque/ planters which hung there for so many years are no longer in
place; instead four have been donated to BRHS&M while two hang at the Mizner
Center.
The original Mizner Lobby, located in the east wing of the historic portion of the hotel,
remains in its original configuration. The BRHS&M has opened a small exhibition there
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
in cooperation with the BRR&C. Historic photos are supplemented with actual Mizner
Industries furnishings and antiques used by Mizner in the original décor. Now tour
patrons and guests will be able to learn about the history and significance of the hotel.
Original Mizner lobby, 2012
BRR&C has removed the historic hotel gates and given them to the BRHS&M;
portions were in very poor condition. They are currently in storage awaiting some future
display opportunity.
Section of hotel gates
originally designed by
architects Schultze &
Weaver for the Boca
Raton Club addition to the
Cloister Inn. Now in the
collections of the
BRHS&M.
To learn more about the hotel and its history, join one of our docents on a guided tour
of the BRR&C. For information click on the tours link on this website!!
MORADA BONITA 741 E Palmetto Park Road RESTORED
Pioneer realtor Harley Gates constructed this Mediterranean gem on the road to the beach
in the mid 1920s. It has survived little changed, through many owners over the years. In
2006 realtor David Roberts beautifully restored the charming structure to serve as the
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Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum Historic Preservation Update June 2013
Royal Palm Properties office. For his efforts, the BRHS&M recognized Mr. Roberts with
its 2007 Preservation Award.
Morada Bonita ca mid 1920s, left, and 2012, right
ROYAL PALM APARTMENTS, 375 Royal Palm Boulevard ENDANGERED
Constructed in ca. 1926 as the Donaldson Apartments, the Royal Palm Apartments are
another rare survivor of Boca’s boomtime past. It originally consisted of four apartments
with then trendy space saving devices such as Pullman dining nooks and in-door beds. It
was conveniently located near the hotel’s golf course and close to the beach road.
Constructed in the Mediterranean style, it is readily recognizable from an historic photo
from the 1927 Boca Raton Record. The Royal Palm Apartments are unique in that it is
the oldest surviving apartment house in town, little altered from Boca’s halcyon days.
Developer Penn Florida has indicated to the BRHS that this property is scheduled for
demolition. Development of this site has been delayed by the real estate slow down.
Donaldson, now Royal Palm Apts, ca. 1927, left and 2012, right.
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