The Carousel Motel located at 19051 Collins Avenue, was designed by Architect Norman Giller and built in 1951. The Carousel - conjuring up memories of fun-filled days at a carnival - became another tourist destination on “Motel Row.” According to a 1960s’ brochure, this motel offered spacious rooms, studio apartments, and suites. The suites accommodated up to nine people, and were great for family parties.

One of the Carousel’s distinguishing architectural elements is the modified mansard roof on its façade. This type of roof has two slopes, the lower slope steeper than the upper slope - normally on all four sides of a building.

In 1980 when two real estate brokers, Dominic Continelle and Warren Welt, became owners of the property it was known as the Red Lion Motel. Continelle and Welt made renovations to the building and converted it to a condominium now known as the Miami Beach Club.

Professional musician Bill Gorgette has worked at the Miami Beach Club since the ‘90s and sees his work continuing. The snow birds have ‘sand in their shoes’ and return year after year.

According to Bill, who first came to Sunny Isles with his family in the 1940’s and has been entertaining snow birds in the Miami Beach area since the 1960s, “Sunny Isles was that road out of town, a bit risqué, and rich in history. This town was truly the hot spot for entertainment, comparable to South Beach today.”

1960s: The pool deck over looking the Atlantic Ocean.

1960s: The cozy lobby facing the courtyard and pool area.

Compiled by David Udoff
Edited by Alyce Hanson

If you have stories and pictures to share about the history of the Sunny Isles Beach area, please contact City Hall at 305-947-0606.

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