Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables

Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables

From Miami History Podcast by Casey M. Piket

January 15, 2026 · 26 min · Season 8 · Episode 3

About this episode

This episode explores the remarkable story and evolution of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida.

This episode explores the remarkable story of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, one of the crown jewels of George Merrick's visionary City Beautiful. Developed through a partnership between Merrick and John McEntee Bowman of the Biltmore Corporation, the hotel opened as a symbol of Mediterranean Revival grandeur, designed to draw visitors from around the world and define South Florida luxury in the 1920s. The Biltmore Hotel's story is one of resilience. The institution was challenged by its inland location, and although it opened on January 15, 1926, during the peak of the building boom, it experienced economic turmoil following the bust of the building boom later that year. The hotel endured cycles of decline and renewal. Over the past century, it has served many roles, from glamorous resort to World War II Army hospital, later a VA hospital and medical school, before ultimately returning to its original purpose as a grand hotel. This episode traces the Biltmore's dramatic evolution and enduring legacy as one of South Florida's most iconic landmarks.

People in this episode

Host: Casey M. Piket

Topics covered

  • Biltmore Hotel
  • Coral Gables
  • Mediterranean Revival
  • South Florida luxury
  • historical evolution
  • resilience

Keywords

  • Biltmore Hotel
  • Coral Gables
  • George Merrick
  • John McEntee Bowman
  • Mediterranean Revival
  • South Florida
  • luxury
  • historical landmark

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Biltmore Corporation

Places: Coral Gables, South Florida

More episodes of Miami History Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Miami History Podcast podcast page.