Board places 1928 home on historic registry
The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board voted to place the home at 745 Minorca Ave. on the city’s historic registry, thus preventing it from being demolished.
In a 5-2 vote, the board said the home, built in 1928, represented the architecture from the Mediterranean Revival period, one of the key architectural periods of the city.
Dona Spain, the city’s preservation officer, had recommended the move. Board members Dolly MacIntyre, Peggy Ronaldo, Alejandro Silva, Judy Pruitt and Chairperson Deborah Tackett agreed with her position. Former Mayor Dorothy Thomson and Venny Torre voted against the registry designation. Kendell Turner and Carmen Guerrero were absent.
The homeowner, Mads Thomsen, sought to have the board dismiss Spain’s recommendation. Thomsen wants to demolish the four-bedroom, three-bath, 2,545-square-foot home and build a modern, larger home centered on the 14,125-square-foot lot.
Thomsen said he would appeal the board’s decision, made on Feb. 21. He was upset the board made its decision without looking at the home, a concern echoed by board member Thomson. Spain had reviewed the home’s historic photos.
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