Junior League of Miami
Headquarters
JLM HQ, Inc. Board 2008-09
JLM HQ Inc. President: Jana Hertz
JLM HQ Inc. Treasurer: Vivian N. Rodriguez
JLM Headquarters Chair: Elvira Larrain
Phase IV Renovation Chair: Julia Bianchi
Read about Phase IV Renovation (Summer 2008)
The Junior League of Miami's two-story miniature "Venetian Palace" was designed by George Fink in 1923 and built for Patrick Bennett in 1925 by George Merrick's Coral Gables Construction and Supply Company at a cost of $30,000. It was the first commercial building constructed in Coral Gables and is the only remaining example of this type of commercial building west of City Hall. The painting here is 713 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, painted by Angela Hoppe.
 In its early years, the building housed several businesses including a haberdashery, a liquor store, a restaurant, and a hotel. From 1963 to 1965, the building was closed and said to have been a "haven for hippies." In 1975, interior designer David Trout purchased the building and created two first class apartments through a $200,000 renovation project. After Mr. Trout met an untimely death, funeral parlor owner W.L. Philbrick acquired the property for the development of his historical library. Philbrick deeded the building to the Miami Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1981; the SAR used the building as their headquarters until 1995.
The JLM purchased the building on December 28, 1995, to serve as its permanent headquarters. Extensive renovation was required to bring the building in compliance with current building code and fire safety requirements. We were fortunate also to locate and preserve some key historic features of the building.
 The front door is historic and was found on site during demolition. In addition, we discovered Dade County pine flooring which was painstakingly restored and now covers the entire reception area. On the second floor facing Biltmore way, we reclaimed the original porch area which had been enclosed during one of the building's many "updates." The historic iron railing around the stairway has been preserved and slightly modified to comply with safety code requirements.
The first and second floors of the building have been completely reconfigured to maximize space. On the first floor, we constructed two offices, a fax/copy/mail room, a kitchenette, a handicap accessible bathroom, a board room and an elevator. The rear glass "atrium" area has been removed and reconfigured as a garden and handicap accessible entrance. Handicap parking is available in the back of the building. The second floor now has a full kitchen and lounge area, a large storage area, a handicap accessible bathroom, and a community meeting room.
The League's historic furniture has been refinished and the upholstered pieces have been recovered using donated fabrics. The end result is that our Headquarters is both functional and beautifully decorated.
The major donors to this project are listed on the wall in the reception area. We are indebted to those individuals, businesses, and foundations who have made this restoration possible. We are especially thankful for the vision of Thorn Grafton, project architect, and the perseverance of Teamwork Construction, our project contractors.
 We look forward to a long and prosperous future our special building as we fulfill our mission of service to this community.
Donations
Donations are still needed to complete headquarters Phase IV renvovation. For a Donor Package, please contact HQ Inc. Board President for 2008-09 Jana Hertz. Donations of $2,000 and higher are permanently recognized on a commemorative wall at Headquarters. Headquaters Donors List.
Headquarters Donors List
Members' Headquarters Procedures
Summer 2007 News
Summer 2008 News
Above: Remembering meetings at the Salzedo Street Headquaters.
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