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About Bal Harbour
One of Florida's finest resort areas, Bal Harbour attracts the rich and
famous from around the world. Still, it has never lost its small-town charm.
Bal Harbour is the perfect pearl within the oyster of Greater Miami. Balmy
days, sunny beaches, a peaceful atmosphere - these are but a few of its
many attractions. Virtually hundreds of cultural and recreational activities
are at Bal Harbour's doorstep. Visitors can enjoy Broadway shows, the opera,
and world-class museums and art galleries. For those who love the water,
there's snorkeling, windsurfing, swimming and fishing. Dozens of
championship golf courses are nearby. A walking and jogging path gracefully
winds along Bal Harbour's lushly landscaped beach. Every inch of Bal Harbour
is paradise, from palm-lined Collins Avenue to the famed Bal Harbour Shops,
a unique collection of merchants that reads like a Who's Who of fashion.
Bal Harbour Village epitomizes the old saying that
“good things come in small packages.” Spanning 3/10 of a square mile, our
245 acres are situated on the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of South Florida's
gold coast--convenient to both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and
numerous attractions. Our beaches are among the finest in the world.
Founded in 1946, the Village has, through strict managed growth, blossomed
into South Florida's finest flower. Our secret for success has been based on
quality not quantity, a formula that has won the Village a worldwide
reputation as a great place to live, shop and just enjoy the finer things in
life.
Visitors from around the world enjoy the Bal Harbour Shops with its unique
collection of designer boutiques, tropical foliage, and fine restaurants and
cafes. Anchor shops include Neiman Marcus and Saks
 Fifth Avenue, both the
largest in Florida. Among the internationally renowned stores at the Bal Harbour Shops are Bvlgari, Cartier, Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior,
Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Prada, Gianni Versace, Fendi, Hermes, Tiffany &
Company and dozens more. Enjoying lunch or dinner at one of the many fine
restaurants in the mall is the place for “beautiful people watching.” In
addition, informal modeling of the latest fashions from world-famous
designer boutiques occurs every afternoon in the restaurants.
The two resorts in Bal Harbour Village are world class
and both are ideal settings for family
vacations, business stopovers or conventions. The 644
room Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort offers 73,000 square feet of meeting
space and one of the most gorgeous backyards in the world. There's a water
fantasy pool with a waterfall slide, a lagoon-style pool, gazebo, sun deck, and Inspiration
Point, a perfect picture spot.
The 220 room Sea View Hotel has a classic European ambiance with three
lovely restaurants, including the casual Terrace Room overlooking the ocean
and the elegant Crystal Room, where you can combine wonderful dining with
ballroom dancing. There is also more than 15,000 square feet of business
meeting and banquet space and 50 Key West-style private cabanas surrounding
a heated Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool.
Population: 3,317 (2001 Census)
Area: 3/10 of a square mile
Weather: Average temperature is 75.3 degrees Fahrenheit
Surf Temp. Average temperature is 74 degrees Fahrenheit
Sunshine: 72 percent probability, year-round
Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida
Household Income: $126,000 annually
Per capita Income: $56,629 annually
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THE HISTORY OF
Bal Harbour Village
Since the 1920's, the Detroit-based Miami Beach Heights Corporation (headed
by industrialists Robert C. Graham, Walter O. Briggs, and C.T. Fisher) owned
245 acres of undeveloped, partially swampy land that stretched from the bay
to the Atlantic. Mr. Graham assumed the duties as the developer for Bal Harbour. In the 1930's, city planners Harland Bartholomew & Associates were
called in to design the Village. The company made several plans and they
were submitted for review to Miami Beach Heights.
In 1940, World War II began and the plans were put on hold. As a goodwill
gesture to the government, Robert C. Graham rented the land to the United
States Air Corps for $1 per year. The Air Corps used this land to train
their soldiers and established a Prisoner of War camp. The ocean front area
was used as a rifle range and the barracks were set up on the west side of
Collins Avenue. The camp for prisoners was located where the Bal Harbour
Shops are presently.
In 1945, the war was over in both Germany and Japan. The Air Corps left the
barracks buildings as a thank you to the owners of the property. These
barracks were converted into apartment homes by Mr. Graham in 1946.
ORIGINAL INCORPORATION - 1946
In order to incorporate a city in 1946, there had to be at least 25 male
registered voters residing in the area. Mr. Graham had twenty five families
move into the apartment homes that he had converted in order to qualify the
Village for incorporation. He then hired Willard Webb, a Miami Beach tax
assessor, to draft a charter for the Village. After the charter was
completed, the Village of Bal Harbour was incorporated on August 14, 1946,
by Mr. Graham and 25 male registered voters. The Village was operated under
the city manager form of government.
The first Village Council was elected:
Mayor - Judge Julian Southerland
Councilman - Charles R. Graham
Councilman - Glenn E. Massnick
Councilman - Ray Semmes, Jr.
Councilman - George Whittaker
Councilman - Willard H. Webb
President of the Council - 1946
Elected Village Manager - 1947
Administrative Officers were selected:
Village Clerk - Mary Wetterer
Village Marshal - Herold Dickey
The Council established a volunteer fire department.
SELECTING A NAME
The original name chosen for Bal Harbour was Bay Harbour. However, the
planning committee didn't think that was appropriate for a city that was on
the beach. A name was invented to encompass a city that ran from the bay to
the Atlantic Ocean. The "b" was taken from the word bay and the "a" and "l"
were taken from the word Atlantic. Hence the word Bal was created.
BUILDING A VILLAGE
Swampland was filled, sea walls were constructed and the yacht basin was
created. Contracts were signed for the sewer systems, water pumping stations
and utilities. Bal Harbour was the first planned community in Florida to
have its utilities placed underground. Developers set guidelines for the
development of the beachfront and the residential areas. Collins Avenue was
paved into four lanes with a landscaped median and later widened to the
present day six lanes. Village plans indicated that ocean front property was
to be 200 feet deep and lots approached $100,000. Lots in the residential
area were about 1,800 square feet and cost from $6,500 to $20,000.
1946 The first hotel was built and was named "The Kenilworth By-the-Sea." It
was built by Tom Raffington and made famous by Arthur Godfrey. It has since
been demolished and is now the Kenilworth Condominium.
1946 The first home was built at 160 Bal Cross Drive. It was built by Mr.
Robert C. Graham Jr., who was the son of Bal Harbour Developer Robert C.
Graham.
1946 Construction for the Sea View Hotel was started.
RE-INCORPORATION - 1947
Bal Harbour Village was re-incorporated by a special act of the 1947 Florida
Legislature and its own charter was issued June 16th. This new charter
supplemented the original incorporation under the General Laws of Florida.
In accordance with the new charter, an election to select five to serve on
the Council was held June 30th. The Council elected were: Edward L. Bonneau,
Robert C. Graham, Jr., Glenn E. Massnick, George Whittaker, and Judge Julien
Southerland. Judge Southerland was chosen as mayor. Willard Webb, who had
been acting manager since the first organization, was appointed as Village
Manager. Mary Wetterer was named Village Clerk and Herold Dickey was
appointed Chief of Police.
1947 The Church by the Sea was built.
1948 The Beach Club was built. It's Restaurant was operated by Howard
Johnson.
1949 A new bridge was started over Baker Haulover.
1956 The current Village Hall was built.
1956 The Hotel Americana was built. It became the Sheraton Hotel in 1980.
1959 Bal Harbour's beach was renovated due to severe erosion.
1965 The Bal Harbour Shops was built by the Whitman family. Stanley Whitman
was one of the incorporators who lived with his family in the barrack
apartments.
1971 Bal Harbour's beach started a major renourishment project.
A trip to South Florida would be incomplete without a visit to Bal Harbour
Shops, where a unique collection of the most legendary names in fashion is
nestled within the beauty of a tropical garden.
Located one block west of the ocean at Collins Avenue and 96th Street,
directly across the street from the Sheraton Bal Harbour Resort, Bal Harbour
Shops is frequently referred to as the most beautiful shopping mecca in the
world.
Visitors from around the world enjoy Bal Harbour Shops, a unique collection
of internationally renowned boutiques, shops, cafes and fine restaurants.
The unique outdoor tropical setting, complete with lush foliage and
waterfalls, only enhances the experience. Ranking on an international scale
with the top shops found on Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Rodeo Drive, Bond
Street and the Champs Elysées. Bal Harbour Shops offers an exotic showcase
for legendary designer fashions and accessories, precious gems and the
finest in personal services.
Bal Harbour is a magical place to spend hours shopping and people-watching,
so keep an eye out for the celebrities often spotted in this jet-set
destination. You'll also notice the highly visible public safety staff,
smartly outfitted in Bahamian gendarme uniforms.
Bal Harbour Shops
9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL 33154
http://www.balharbourshops.com
Founded in 1965
by Stanley Whitman
Located on nearly 16 acres, one block from the ocean
Key shops: Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Prada, Gianni Versace, Bottega Veneta,
Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi,
Hermes, Pratesi, Pavillon Christofle, Charles Jourdan, Ermenegildo
Zegna,Tourneau, Tiffany & Co. and dozens more of the world's most elite
shops
Anchors: Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, both the largest in Florida
Restaurants within Bal Harbour Shops
Bal Harbour Bistro
305-861-4544
Near Saks Fifth Avenue
A charming Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor cafe in a garden setting with
seating for 165
Lunch and dinner menu features continental and New Miami regional cuisines.
House specialties include Snapper Bal Harbour, Seafood combo over linguine,
and Salad Sampler Plate
Many health-oriented and vegetarian items
Open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Prices range from $6.95 to $19.95
Major credit cards accepted
Carpaccio
305-867-7777
Elegant indoor/outdoor cafe with seating for 195
House specialties include linguine with lobster in a spicy tomato sauce
Excellent salads, carpaccios and pastas
Lunch prices range from $7.95 to $13.50
Dinner prices range from $11.50 to $23.95
Lunch hours: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dinner hours: 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Major credit cards accepted
More Luxury Oceanfront Bal
Harbour Condominiums
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