Designation Report Miami, Florida Built: 1963 Prepared by: Sarah K. Cody Historic Preservation Specialist Offi ce of Historic Preservation Regulatory and Economic Resources Department Miami-Dade County June 2014
CONTENTS I. General Information Page 2 II. Physical Description / Setting Page 3 III. Historic Significance & Context Page 6 IV. Architectural Significance Page 9 V. Criteria for Designation Page 11 VI. Standards for Certificate of Appropriateness Page 11 VII. Staff Recommendations Page 11 VIII. Endnotes Page 12 IX. Appendix A: National Register Eligibility Page 13
I. GENERAL INFORMATION NAME: ARCHITECTS: LOCATION/ADDRESS: PROPERTY OWNERS: Steward-Skinner Associates, Architects Maurice H. Connell & Associates, Engineers 4900 NW 36 Street, Township: 53S Range: 41E Section: 30 Miami-Dade County Aviation Department LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 668.26 AC ALL OF SEC LESS N35FT & FLAGLER HIGHLAND HOMESITES PB 38-76 TR 1 TO 12 INC TR A B C & ST WITHIN SUB LOT SIZE 29109406 SQ FT TAX FOLIO NUMBER: 30-3130-000-0010 STRUCTURES: SIGNIFICANCE: History/Context: HIGH. The Pan American (Pan Am) Regional Headquarters Building is an important structure directly related to the once extensive facilities built by Pan American Airways along NW 36 th Street. It survives as a physical reminder of the significant role Pan American Airways played in the development of the Miami International Airport; of Pan Am s prominent role in early aviation history, and of Pan Am s role in aviation training following World War II. The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building fulfills Criteria Sec. 16A- 10(1)(a), Associated with distinctive elements of the cultural, social, political, economic, scientific, religious, prehistoric, paleontological and architectural history that have contributed to the pattern of history in the community, Miami- Dade County, south Florida, the State or the nation; Architecture: HIGH. The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building is an excellent example of mid-century Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture. Designed by Miami architects Steward-Skinner Associates and engineers Maurice H. Connell & Associates, the building mimics the world renowned U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, designed by prominent architect Edward Durell Stone. In addition to being an extant example of MiMo, the Pan Am Building was designed to reflect the global reach and progressive technology employed by Pan Am. The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building fulfills Criteria Sec. 16A-10(1)(c): Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, style or method of construction or work of a master; or that possess high artistic value; or that represent a distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; Page 2 of 13
IMPACTS: If designated, the Miami-Dade County Office of Historic Preservation would be required to approve any exterior or interior changes and/or additions, demolition, or new construction to the designated resource. Most approvals are handledd in-house directly by the staff of the Office of Historic Preservation and do not require approval by the County Historic Preservation Board. Major alterations require approval by the County Historic Preservation Board. Designated resources are eligible to take part in the County s Ad-Valorem Tax Exemption program, and aree eligible for any historic preservation grants that may be available. II. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTI ION / SETTING Sited at the northern edge of Miami International Airport, the Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building faces NW 36 th Street. A long, rectangular reflecting pool stretches from the public street, south to the building s porteside of the cochere. A simple concrete walkway surrounds the pool. Single rows of palm trees extend to either pool, emphasizing the linear alignment. The building has a square floor plan with two stories that sit on a raised basement plinth. The building is faced with a precast concrete brise-soleil. The brise-soleil is defined by a repeating geometric pattern of paired trapezoids. This trapezoidal form is referenced throughout the building, in the panels on the porte-cochere, on the door handles, and in the shape of the precast concrete planters. To the rear of the building, the HVAC units are enclosed with identicall brise-soleil panels. A single-story porte-cochere extends above the floating staircase at the building entry and across the driveway. It continues through the interior lobby and out into the central courtyard. The canopy is clad in gold anodized panels. The front and sides of the canopy repeat the trapezoidal shape seen in the brise-soleil. A slight angle in the panels subtly The underside of the canopy is defined by a coffered ceiling with gold panels and light panels. incorporates the repeated paired trapezoidal pattern found throughout the building features. A simple exterior walkway surrounds the first floor of the building. Precast concrete planters line the edge of the walkway. Anodized gold, double-tapered columns extend from the outer edge of the walkway up to the overhanging canopy at the second story, defining a modern peristyle. Square cutouts on the canopy reinforce the geometric character of the building. View looking down the reflecting pool towards NW 36 th Street, 2013. View of porte-cochere and main entry from the pool, 2013. Page 3 of 13
Detail of brise-soleil trapezoidal pattern, 2013. Detail of trapezoidal pattern used in lobby door handles, 2013. View looking along the main façade from the entry, 2013. Detail of gold columns supporting the cantilevered roof with cutouts and trapezoidal shape in planter legs, 2013. Inside the first floor lobby, a staircase curves up to the second floor. The wall is clad with salmon-colored precast panels with alternating squares and rectangles. In the square panels, the Pan Am logo is raised off the surface. Doors at the far side of the lobby open into a central, open-airr courtyard. A circular pool and a rectangular pool extend along the central axis of the courtyard. Large precast concrete planters and benches line the edges of the space. Pedestals rising from the center of the planters once held statues that represented Pan Am s global destinations. Page 4 of 13
Detail of the Pan Am logo in the precast panel, 2013. View of the main lobby with the curved staircase to the side and precast panels beyond. The gold and light panels that define the lobby ceiling are the extension of the exterior porte- cochere, 2013. View looking out toward the central courtyard from within the lobby, 2013. View within the courtyard, looking toward the 2013. main lobby, View of planters and bench that line the 2013. central courtyard, View looking across the courtyard from the second floor walkway. The continuation of the porte-cochere into the courtyard is seen in the foreground, 2013. Page 5 of 13
On the second floor, an exterior walkway surrounds the openn courtyard. Additional planters line the north and south edges of the walkway with gold railings to the east and west. Between the first and second floors, a concrete canopy with rectangular cutouts extends into the courtyard, defining a smaller scale version of the roof canopy found around the exterior of the building. The walls of the courtyard are faced with the same ornamental precast panels found inside the lobby. Engaged columns clad in gold extend between the panels on the second floor. Overall, the Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building is an excellent example of mid-century Miami Modern architecture. Strong geometric forms define the building plan and façade. These forms are emphasized through the building details. The interior courtyard provides a lush, tropical setting with modernist forms incorporated in the concrete canopy, planters, and wall panels. III. HISTORIC SIGNIFICAN NCE & CONTEXT The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building is historically significant for its association with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) as well as being a significant example of Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture. Pan Am was founded in 1927 as the first international airline in the US. 1 Originally based in Key West, Pan Am secured airmail contracts from Key West to Havana, Cuba. 2 US Customs designated the base in Key West the first airfield in the nation as an official port of entry. 3 The following year, Pan Am relocated their operations from Key West to Miami. 4 The airline purchased 116 acres along what is now NW 36 th Street from the Seminole Fruit Company to build their new facilities. 5 Pan Am operated out of a smalll existing airfield for a few months while they completed construction. 6 The new airfield on NW 36 th Street officially opened in 1928 and Pan Am Field boasted the firstt modern airline terminal in the US. 7 It was also the third designated official port of entry in the US, following the original Key West base and Boeing Field in Seattle. 8 In 1929, Pan Am provided its first flight to South America, flying from Miami to Cartagena and Barranquilla, Columbia. 9 In these early years, Pan Am continued to expand their facilities and operations. By 1929, two years after its founding, Pan Am employed more than 150 people and held government airmail contracts from Miami to Nassau, Havana, San Juan, Cristobel, and Santiago. Their facilities on NW 36 th Street included three hangars and a large passenger terminal with a restaurant, offices, and customs. 10 They also had four sand runways; the longest measured 2,140 feet in length. 11 In 1930, the airlinee acquired New York Rio Buenos Aires Air Line (NYRBA), including all their routes, airmail contracts, and bases of operation. This included the terminal at Dinner Key, which NYBRA had acquired following World Warr I. 12 By the early 1930s, Pan Am had established service to most major Latin American cities. 13 In 1935, Pan Am established trans-pacific service; trans-atlantic service began in 1939. 14 Aerial view of Pan Am Field, 1929. View of the Pan Am Field facilities, 1928. Page 6 of 13
As Pan Am continued to grow, the US Allied Forces took notice. In the years leading up to World War II, Pan Am began to provide training for the Forces. This was a result not only of Pan Am s impressive technology and its growing global network, but also because the natural climate of Miami was conducive to providing training yearround. Additionally, Miami provided the most direct routes to trans-atlantic destinations like Africa. Royal Air Force cadets were brought to Pan Am Field in Miami to learn to service aircrafts, direct ground operations, and provide navigational training. Pan Am s first trans-atlantic flights were established specifically for the airline to fly military personnel. In 1943, Pan Am flew Franklin Delano Roosevelt across the Atlantic Ocean to the Casablanca Conference in Morocco, making him the first president to fly in an aircraft while in office. In total, Pan Am trained nearly 5,000 aerial navigators for the Allied Forces and was making up to 13 trans-atlantic flights daily. As part of this effort, Pan Am also designed, built, and maintained 48 airports and seaplane bases in 14 different countries, forming an impressive global network. 15 Following World War II, Pan Am used its well-established global network to return military personnel home. Because the Allied Forces did not have the technology or facilities to create and maintain such an extensive network and training program, Pan Am played a significant role during World War II. At the conclusion of their military involvement, Pan Am continued to use their existing facilities and flight routes to create a network of scheduled routes to an array of international destinations. 16 Pan Am s military involvement also led to a considerable boost in the local economy following World War II. Many military aviation personnel who had received training by Pan Am returned to Miami after the war to pursue full time aviation careers. 17 This in turn led to a focus on aviation education. The University of Miami established a curriculum that bundled the business side of aviation with flight training. They also partnered with four airlines, including Pan Am, to create a six-week aviation workshop for high school teachers. 18 The period immediately after World War II marked a significant shift in the world of aviation. In the early years, commercial flying was regarded as a luxury, reserved for the wealthy. After the war, aviation became exciting and accessible to the broader public. This contributed to more regulation. In 1945, the Dade County Port Authority Act was established, giving the County Commission the right to acquire, own, and operate airports, seaports, toll roads, etc. Pan Am Field was considered outdated and inadequate for the growing demand. The Dade County Port Authority turned to the existing Pan Am Field to create a substantial airport to meet the modern demand. 19 In 1948, the expanded airport was renamed Miami International Airport, marking the end of the Pan Am Field era. 20 While Pan Am no longer operated its own independent airfield, it did maintain its Miami facilities as the Latin American Regional Headquarters. By the early 1960s, the original Pan Am terminal no longer met the needs of the airline. In 1962, Pan Am hired Steward-Skinner Associates Architects and Maurice H. Connell & Associates Engineers to design a new regional headquarters building. It was sited in the same location of their original 1928 terminal. 21 The new modern headquarters building was constructed and officially dedicated in 1963. Shortly after the completion of the new building, Pan Am built additional facilities directly south, including a flight training school and maintenance hangars. 22 The new, modern facility was designed not only to embrace the new Miami Modern (MiMo) architectural style, but also to evoke the global presence of Pan Am as the first international airline. Page 7 of 13
View looking along the reflecting pool toward the main entrance, ca. 1963. View looking south of the newly completed Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building, ca. 1968 View looking northwest toward the Pan Am building, ca. 1968. The modern building housed not only offices, but also served as the Flight Attendant Training School. When interest in and excitement for modern aviation grew after World War II, it was not just military personnel who pursued careers in aviation. Young women were also interested in pursuing exciting careers in international travel. Classes were held in the new Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building. Here the flight attendants took classes on serving in-flight refreshments; make-up themselves. The curved staircase in the lobby was used to help the tables were installed in classroomss to provide tutorials on how the new trainees should present students practice proper posture, as they were made to walk down the stairs with books carefully balanced atop their heads. 23 Pan Am continued use of this building until 1991, when the airline filed forr bankruptcy. Once they vacated the building, the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department acquired ownership of the building. They rented the building to aviation-related tenants who used the building for offices. Page 8 of 13
A new flight attendant arrives for her first day of training, 1968. Flight attendant graduation was held in the central courtyard, 1968. Flight attendant graduation in the central courtyard, 1968. Cocktail preparation was one of the courses required for the flight attendant trainees, 1968. IV. ARCHITECT TURAL SIGNIFICANCE The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building is significant as an excellent examplee of mid-century Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture. Pan Am hired local architects Steward-Skinner Associatess to design the building. Maurice H. Connell & Associates were also involved as consulting engineers who had experience as airport and aviation facilities consultants. 24 The design of the building was modeled after the US Embassy in New Delhi, India, designed by noted architectt Edward Durell Stone in 1954. This modern building includedd a central reflecting pool, geometric brise-soleil, gold double-tapered columns extended between the exterior walkway and cantilevered roof, and a central courtyard with prominent water features and plantings. The connection to the building in New Delhi gave the Pan Am building its well-known local nickname, the Taj Mahal. Page 9 of 13
View of the main façade of the US Embassy in New Delhi, date unknown. Façade detail off the US Embassy in New unknown. Delhi, date The design employed by Steward-Skinner Associates, and the influence of the Embassy in New Delhi, were intended to reflect Pan Am s status ass a global ambassador. 25 Details in the design emphasized this global theme, including a series of statues that were placed atop pedestals in the central courtyard. A 15-foot x 7-foot ceramic mural, which hung in the lobby, depicted the growth and international network created by Pan Am. This mural has since been removed, though it remains intact and on display at the neighboringg Pan Am Flight Training School. 26 View of the central courtyard of the US Embassy in New Delhi, The building design also embodied features that date unknown. define the MiMo architectural style. This includes the repeated use of geometric patterns, the brise-soleil, the square cutouts in the cantilevered roof, and the ornamental precast wall panels. Elements such as the front reflecting pool and adjacent rows of flags (later replaced by the existing palm trees) ), the interior courtyard, and the non-extant statues convey the international influence on the design. The design of the Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building presents a distinct character that combines the distinct MiMo style with the global reach created by Pan Am. View of the mural in the main lobby, date unknown. Color view of a portion of the mural in the main lobby, ca. 1968. Page 10 of 13
The Pan Am Regional Headquarters Building is not only locally significant, but nationally significant as well. It played an important role in national defense during World War II, when it provided extensive training and facilities for the Allied Forces, and established a global flight network specifically to transport military personnel. Today the historic building contributes to a better understanding of aviation history and the development of the modern airline industry. Its architectural significance also extends beyond its local context. The building embodies the distinctive characteristics that define a specific period of architectural history mid-century Miami Modern. For these reasons, the Pan Am Regional Headquarters Buildings not only meets the criteria for local designation, but is also eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, as determined by the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer. (See Appendix A.) V. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION If designated as a Historic Site, the Building will be identified as significant under the following criteria, as set forth in Section 16A-10 of the Miami-Dade Historic Preservation Ordinance: (a) Criteria Sec. 16A-10(1)(a), Is associated with distinctive elements of the cultural, social, political, economic, scientific, religious, prehistoric, paleontological and architectural history that have contributed to the pattern of history in the community, Miami-Dade County, south Florida, the State or the nation. (c) Criteria Sec. 16A-10(1)(c), Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, style or method of construction or work of a master; or that possess high artistic value; or that represent a distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. VI. STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS If designated, standards will follow the general guidelines as recommended for historic sites as detailed in The Secretary of the Interior s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties as developed in 1992 and codified as 36CFR Part 68 in the July 12, 1995, Federal Register (Vol. 60, No. 133). However, ordinary maintenance and minor repairs/alterations will not be subject to review. VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends historic site designation of the Building located at 4900 NW 36 th Street at the northern edge of Miami International Airport as an individual historic site. This recommendation is based on the historic and architectural qualities of the building. The building is important not only in the history of Pan American World Airways, but also in that it is associated with events that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, including World War II, aviation history, and the airline industry. It is architectural significant as it constitutes an excellent example of mid-century Miami Modern style architecture. Page 11 of 13
VIII. ENDNOTES 1 Carol-Ann Rudy, The Airlines Special Place in South Florida History, The History of Aviation in South Florida its Planes, Pilots, and Peculiarities, Part three of a six-part series. 2 Carol-Ann Rudy, The Airlines Special Place in South Florida History, The History of Aviation in South Florida its Planes, Pilots, and Peculiarities, Part three of a six-part series. 3 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 10, no date. 4 Carol-Ann Rudy, The Airlines Special Place in South Florida History, The History of Aviation in South Florida its Planes, Pilots, and Peculiarities, Part three of a six-part series. 5 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 6 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 11-12, no date. 7 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 8 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 11-12, no date. 9 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 8, no date. 10 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 9, no date. 11 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 12 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter IV, page 9, no date. 13 The Virtual Pan Am Museum Everything Pan Am, accessed November 13, 2013. http://www.everythingpanam.com/index.html. 14 The Virtual Pan Am Museum Everything Pan Am, accessed November 13, 2013. http://www.everythingpanam.com/index.html. 15 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter VI, page 1-6, no date. 16 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter VII, page 1, no date. 17 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter VII, page 7, no date. 18 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter XII, page 10-11, no date. 19 James R. Brite, History of Aviation in Miami, Chapter XIII, page 2-3, no date. 20 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 21 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 22 Pan American Field / 36 th Street Airport, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, accessed November 6, 2013. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/fl/airfields_fl_miami_c.htm. 23 Antolin Garcia Carbonell, interview with author, November 14, 2013. 24 F.C. Hawkes, Controller, Maurice H. Connell & Associates, Inc., Letter to Mr. Earl R. Adams, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Monroe County, Florida, October 5, 1962. 25 Antolin Garcia Carbonell, Hemispheric Hub, Miami International Airport, Miami Modern Metropolis, Bass Museum of Art, Miami, Florida, 2009. 26 Antolin Garcia Carbonell, interview with author, November 14, 2013. Page 12 of 13
IX. APPENDIX A: NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY Page 13 of 13