Grove Isle

coast in 1928 First known as Fair Isle, its land was dredged out from Biscayne Bay in 1924 by the Corps of Engineers and subsequently subdivided in 1925. Many artificial islands of the period, such as Fair Isle, were formed when artificial inlets were cut into Biscayne Bay's coastline. The isle was then sold to investors at the height of the Florida Land Boom in less than four hours and for over $1.5 million. A combination of real estate crash, freight blockades and hurricane damage during 1925–26 stalled further property development of Miami and the island. ==Development==

's Grove Isle Condominium, Club and Marina The island remained largely untouched—a large sand bar covered with Australian Pines—until large scale development came to Coconut Grove in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The island was purchased for $6 million and restrictions on the island's development were finally agreed after protracted litigation over its size was settled in July 1977. Cabot, Cabot and Forbes of Massachusetts were one of the principal sellers of the island. Burton Goldberg, the notorious Miami nightclub impresario, had previously hoped to make the island's "sailboat key" club and residential project the largest in South Florida. The design was significantly reworked and Margulies' scaled-back development was finally completed in 1982. Off-island Club membership was also agreed so its amenities would be enjoyed by the wider community. deep-water marina, pools, professional tennis club, original 55 piece sculpture gardens. The Grove Isle development set the standard for high-end Miami property. Grove Isle lies in parts three feet above sea level. Its drainage system was surveyed as part of the condominium's 40 year re-certification project. ==Character==

Grove Isle provides one of the most secluded spots to live in Miami and is highly prized "by residents for its tranquility and panoramic bay views". Its residents have included past Heads of State, Senators, judges, lawyers, doctors, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. The Palmeiras Beach Club and Hotel, Spa, Grove Isle Marina and Cliff Drysdale Grove Isle Tennis Club were located on the island. The world-class Grove Isle Sculpture Garden once comprised part of the island's landscaped design. The three residential towers' interior designs were unique in the area for their Asian themes and accents. The island's wide open spaces and expansive tree canopy are valued highly by its residents. The gardens and decks of Grove Isle were replanted after damage received from Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Major renovations to improve the structural and aesthetic integrity of the three towers, their decks and the gardens were also undertaken. A further residential development on the site of the Island's hotel and club was first proposed in 2013. == Controversy ==

Competing visions for Grove Isle's future have at times embroiled the island in controversy. Its 1980 development was only permitted under a landmark settlement after the project was significantly scaled back over a decade of litigation and protest. The residents association also worked to protect the island against the impact of a high-rise project on an adjacent Mercy Hospital site. More recently, attempts to close the island's club were halted by court order in August 2015. This was linked to efforts, first started in 2013, to build a further residential development on the island. Residents' efforts to retain the island's hotel, which was put at risk by the new development plans, resulted in litigation in 2017. The Grove Isle club and hotel were demolished in 2020. The development project then underwent a change in ownership and was rebranded the following year. Issues regarding club membership rights, the quality of club amenities, city planning laws, bridge safety and further development plans for the island (at 4 Grove Isle) have involved lengthy legal intervention. ==Gallery==

File:Grove Isle Miami Florida 03.jpg|Grove Isle Condominium, Hotel & Club File:Grove Isle 2015.gif|Grove Isle gardens with its bay views File:North Coconut Grove w Fair Isle 1940.jpg|Grove Isle (then Fair Isle) lying off Miami's Coconut Grove in 1940 File:Grove Isle Scupture Decks and Gardens 1.jpg|Original Grove Isle Sculpture Decks and Gardens (now moved) File:Grove Isle Miami 5.jpg|View of Grove Isle & Biscayne Bay from Coconut Grove File:Mr M Margulies at Sculpture Garden Deck on Grove Isle.jpg|Image of Martin Margulies taken on the Sculpture Deck on Grove Isle File:Grove Isle garden path along Biscayne Bay.jpg|Grove Isle gardens along Biscayne Bay File:North Coconut Grove without Fair Isle 1923.jpg|Coconut Grove coast before Fair (Grove) Isle was dredged out of the bay in 1923 File:Grove Isle Sea Wall destruction from Hurricane Irma.jpg|Hurricane Irma hits Grove Isle in September 2017 File:Grove Isle facing Coconut Grove with Rowing Team.jpg|Rowing Team off Grove Isle Beach ==See also==

• Final Settlement of 27 July 1977, Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Dade County, Florida, Case No. 73-6449 copy accessed January 11, 2016 • Margulies, M., Harper, P., & Varon, M. (1986). Contemporary sculpture from the Martin Z. Margulies collection: Grove Isle, Coconut Grove, Florida. Coconut Grove, Fla: Martin Z. Margulies Collection. 144 pp. [UM and FIU Libraries Special Collections] • Moore Parks, A. and Bennett, B. (2010) Coconut Grove, Florida: Arcadia Publishing, p. 128 • Nepomechie, M., & Brooke, S. (2010). Building paradise: An architectural guide to the Magic City. Miami, FL: AIA Miami. • Voss G. (1974) Biological survey and development recommendations for Fair Isle, Biscayne Bay, Fla. Unpublished manuscript. University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL. 15 pp. ==External links==