The Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget Beach Resort, another unique building in Sunny Isles Beach, was built in 1956. This popular motel, one of the survivors from the "Motel Row" era, is located at 18555 Collins Avenue. Today the Golden Nugget is a condo/motel.

This white building features a striking architectural element - a golden flaxen elongated trapezoid - that makes up the structure's façade trim. One characteristic of modern design is this hard-edged minimalist design void of embellishments.

An homogenous group of aluminum-framed windows emphasizes the diagonal shape of the building. The elongated trapezoid building façade is stark, yet impressive, yet not obtrusive. It is symbolic as it conjures up an image of an industrial structure.

Could it be that the architect of this industrial-looking building was appealing to the middle-class, blue-collar worker from the Northeast corridor? Once inside the motel the atmosphere gradually transitions the visitor to a bucolic, subtropical, relaxing environment. This structure represents the epoch of the middle-class vacation in an era of prosperity and optimism.



The courtyard of the Golden Nugget features an array of tropical foliage including sea grapes, rubber trees, and palms. At the pool deck there are wooden picnic tables and benches with natural reed umbrellas.

The free-form, biomorphic-shaped sparkling pool has a distinctive modern design. In the heat and humidity of the summer the outdoor tiki bar on the pool deck reflects an image of vacuity - in contrast to its popularity during the winter season.

The trapezoid interior creates and inviting impression as if a sanctuary for rumination. This '50s modern building dons a light purple painted interior with etched mirrors and floral wall paper reminiscent of an 1980's-era style of interior redecorating.




The exterior entrance of the Golden Nugget Beach Resort features a large impressive vertical open rectangle. Along with the horizontal and angular lines of the elongated trapezoid, these vertical lines create a threshold of intersecting planes.

In the curved lobby area wicker furniture and tropical upholstered couches invite one to relax.


Like many of these 1950's style motels, the Golden Nugget has an upstairs wrap-around balcony area within the lobby. This gold railing features a triangular design. From the upstairs, one can look through angular shaped windows and observe the hustle and bustle of Collins Avenue and the City west side.

The Vostok Russian kosher restaurant is accessible through the lobby.

 

Compiled by Marlene Calero and David Udoff

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