The elegant Golden Gate Hotel arose in the early 1950’s on a 20-acre site at 194 Street and Collins Avenue. This 20-acre, mega-complex existed on both sides of Collins Avenue – fronting both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The buildings were designed by the famous Miami Modern (MIMO) architect Igor B. Polevitzky. (Single-family homes designed by Polevitzky dot the Golden Shores area of Sunny Isles Beach, and his Golden Strand Resort at 17901 Collins Avenue is an excellent example of MIMO architecture.)

The swooping curved structures of the Golden Gate Hotel blended and emphasized the beauty of the Intracoastal shoreline. Visitors to the resort were impressed by the pervasive array of distinctive light, sea-green buildings, rooftops and the infrastructure that included everything right on the premises. Services and amenities included:

• The Main Hotel
• Motel
• Royal Palm Apartments
• Cottages
• Marina
• Yacht Club
• Dock master’s Office and Tackle Shop
• Personnel Dormitory
• Water Treatment Plant
• Laundry
• Putting Green
• Social Directors
• Six Championship Clay Tennis Courts
• Snack Bar
• Two Pools and Deck Club
• Medical Center
• Garage
• Green House
• Children’s Pool and Playground
• Children Councilors
• Howard Johnson’s Restaurant
• Shopping Center-great place to buy souvenirs
• Pedestrian tunnel under Collins Avenue
• Cabana Club
• Auditorium
• Free Parking

The Golden Gate was known for its impeccable service and guest relations, which carried over into its dining room. The inviting main swimming pool was equipped with low and high diving boards, an image no longer seen at motels and hotels.

In the 1960’s the Golden Gate Hotel was franchised to Sheraton Resorts and became the Sheraton Beach Resort.

Caption: Aerial view of the Golden Gate Hotel shows the swooping curved structures.

Caption: Lively Hawaiian-style entertainment in the formal dinning room.

Caption: An image from the past – a swimming pool with low and high diving boards.

By David Udoff

If you have any stories or photographs to share about the Sunny Isles Beach area call City Hall at (305) 974-0606.

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