Architectural History Snapshot for Boca Raton

A short architectural history of Boca Raton
From the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean to the edge of the Everglades, Boca Raton has faced its hare with a plethora of housing and architectural styles for decades. Once known as “Boca De Ratones” or “Jagged Inlet” by early settlers, this unique community continues to flourish with incredible real estate opportunities with sound construction and beautiful aesthetics. Whether you’ve lived here for years or are contemplating your next housing investment to the area, you’ll find the architectural history is rich with poise and charm from East to West. In this week’s blog, we take a snapshot of architectural-historical styles that helped to influence the landscape of Palm Beach County’s metropolitan city.

Take a stroll up Ocean Blvd or down Yamato Road, and you’ll quickly notice the exquisite detail that lends to the housing in this sophisticated area. Many of the historical landmarks are standing today from the Boca Raton Resort & Spa to the original Town Hall. Mostly influenced by developer Addison Mizner the structures of the buildings continue to carry a Mediterranean style, lending to the towns superior character.

With a nineteenth century influenced by the Spanish and Italian Renaissance and Venetian Gothic architecture you can clearly see the ornate elements on each building. The characteristics may include porticos, balconies, and terraces with exterior finishes in stucco and red-tiled roofing. The so-called Spanish Colonial peaked somewhere between the 1920’s and 30’s but still, hold steady today. This history is noted to have begun with Mizner’s vision to create a vacation town for those who wanted to migrate here during the winter time.

Today the ‘winter homes’ that stand proud are occupied by people of the elite crowds and are seeking secondary as well as premier destinations when they are looking for a significant break from the cold. However, there’s nothing in the structure of these elegant single-family homes that points to uncomfortable atmospheres. Even during the 1960’s when the depression hit after World War II, the Mediterranean construction continued to warm the East Coast with its alluring decor.

An excellent example of this style of home would be the Fred C. Aiken House which was designed with spiral staircases, Moorish columns, Spanish Clay Roofs and plastered kitchen walls. Located at the corner of NW 8th Avenue and Hibiscus Street the historic home stands today and is considered a historic home. Built in the twenties by the Mizner Corporation, this 20th Century Revival home’s charm is created with arched windows, stucco walls and wooden flooring. Both a resident and former Boca Raton Mayor, Aiken served until 1938. While Boca Raton’s Mayor, dwelled in this humble home, the property is still standing today and is a reflection of the well-built craftsmanship of Mizner’s team.

In addition to the Aiken House, the resort created known as Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn now the Boca Raton Resort & Club, continues to uphold Mizner’s legacy. The choice to build in Spanish Colonial was a wise one for the subtropical weather of South Florida. The classic designs and inventive concepts of Mizner featured wood coffered ceilings, large arched buttress and as well as ornaments of stone and iron. You can see many of the original decorations in the 91-year-old estate. Now a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Mizner’s dream was to create a year-round resort for the wealthy to enjoy. Many builders followed in Mizner’s footsteps constructing similar aspects.

While many of the construction today continues to carry out similar designs, another conventional design you’ll see within the Boca Raton city limits is the contemporary and modern Art Deco. Surprisingly enough, this style became popular during the same time as the Mediterranean era for Boca Raton’s face of the housing.

Geometric and inspired by Cubism, the craftsmanship of this architecture is decorative, sleek and elegant. Art Nouveau and ideally crafted from Native American as well as Egyptian classics the decorative features is an applique on the exterior of the homes to show admiration to the post-war and modern machinery age.

Brought to the United States in 1922, Frenchman Eliel Saarinen entered a design contest for the Chicago Tribune Tower. Although he came in second, the architect continued to build some incredible projects across the nation.

While the influence of Saarinen can be captured today with much of our 20th century designed properties you can see some distinct characteristics that define this style of home. Materials would include steel railing, chrome and polished surfaces, clean but precision lines and many artistic creations from France.

Described once as “Candy Colored” houses, you can see a lot of pastel paint of pinks and blues. Precision lines whether rounded or in the geometrical shapes of squares and triangles, the exterior of these homes introduces high fashion and art within its design/build phases. In fact, drive down any of the older neighborhoods including Ocean Blvd and A1A and you can still see this structure built with everlasting pride. While some may consider this type of stylish architecture outdated, it continues to be favored within luxury markets everywhere.

Other than the modern type of housing, you’ll notice much of today’s traditional home designs include Georgian and Key West. From wooden quoins to wood shingles and siding these structures are typically symmetrical include shingle roofing. Although considered classical, you’ll find many of these properties will include roof-covered balconies, both black and white wrought iron railings and even some brick exterior. Wood flooring, lots of white painted walls and wood paneled ceilings lend to this elegant often coastal décor. Although these styles seem newer to the area, the designs haven’t changed much throughout the ages since Singing Pines, and Butts Farms were fully operating.

Although these are just a few of the most familiar architectural structures you’ll find here in Boca Raton, it’s well noted each home or property is as unique as any seashell you may find on the beach. We’re sure you’ll find every home adds to the alluring landscape of our chic community in which continues to add to our rich history.

With a multitude of listings, we can help find a home that’s right for you. Contact our luxury real estate specialists today.